Ukraine criticizes death sentences of pro-Russian separatists France assures Ukraine more heavy weapons The news about the war in Ukraine in the star ticker.
Day 107 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to see his country’s situation in the war against the Russian invaders as complicated. On the battlefield in the east of the country, the Ukrainian army is bravely braving the enemy, he says. Meanwhile, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Moscow puts the armed conflict he ordered against Ukraine on the same level as the Great Northern War under Tsar Peter I – and speaks of a repatriation of Russian soil. Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24.
8.16 a.m .: Minister of Agriculture Özdemir arrived in Ukraine for a visit
Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) has arrived in Ukraine for a visit. This is announced by a spokesman. A meeting with the Ukrainian head of department Mykola Solskyj is planned in the capital Kyiv. Central topics of discussion should be help to stabilize the country’s agriculture in the Russian war of aggression. Germany is also working to enable Ukrainian grain exports in other ways, as usual exports via the Black Sea ports are blocked for the time being.
7.45 a.m .: Lauterbach offers Ukraine an aid package for the care of the injured
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to offer Ukraine an “aid package” for the care of war wounded during his visit to the country. “So much misery has arisen here as a result of this barbaric war of aggression,” says the SPD politician in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”. He is on the road with a team of surgeons and specialists “to help with the care of severely injured people with burns – that’s where we want to train, that’s where we want to build it up”.
6:58 a.m.: Russian troops are advancing on Bakhmut from the southeast
According to Ukrainian information, with heavy fighting continuing in the Donbass, the Russian troops are finally advancing on the Bakhmut transport hub. They are threatening to cut off supplies to the administrative center of Sieverodonetsk. “The enemy attacked in the direction of Vozdvyshenka – Roty, was partially successful and is holding on to the positions taken,” said the Ukrainian General Staff in its situation report. The villages are only about ten kilometers southwest of Bachmut. The road from Bakhmut to Sievjerodonetsk can also be shelled with heavy equipment from there.
6.30 a.m .: Zelenskyj promotes further rapprochement with the EU
The situation at the front is “without any significant changes,” says Ukrainian President Zelenskyj in a video message. The strategically important town of Sievarodonetsk and its neighboring city of Lysychansk, as well as other cities in the Donbass that Russian attackers currently consider key targets in the east of the country, could defend themselves effectively. He promotes further rapprochement between the EU and his country. “Most Europeans support the integration of Ukraine.”
5.10 a.m.: Ukraine criticizes death sentences by pro-Russian separatists
Ukraine has sharply criticized a trial of three foreign fighters in its armed forces. The Supreme Court of the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic had sentenced two Britons and a Moroccan to death as mercenaries. Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko says that foreigners in the Ukrainian army are regular soldiers and should be treated as such. They had the rights of prisoners of war. The process put propaganda above law and morality. The three men can still appeal.
4:05 a.m .: Like Tsar Peter the Great, Putin wants to “take back” Russian soil
Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin puts the war he ordered against Ukraine on the same level as the Great Northern War under Russia’s Tsar Peter I and speaks of a return campaign from Russian soil. Peter didn’t conquer the area around today’s metropolis of St. Petersburg from the Swedes, but rather won it back. “Apparently it’s also our lot: to bring them back and strengthen them,” says Putin, according to the Interfax agency, drawing parallels to the war against Ukraine. June 9th is the 350th birthday of Peter the Great, who was the first Russian tsar to call himself “Emperor”.
3.30 a.m .: Kyiv cancels city twinning with Minsk
Because Belarus supports the Russian war of aggression, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv has canceled the city partnership with the Belarusian metropolis Minsk, which has existed since 1997, as Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports. Rockets were flying from Belarus to Ukrainian towns and villages, and Russian troops also invaded from there, emphasizes the former boxing world champion.
2.55 a.m .: Ukrainian ambassador wants more clarity from Germany
Ukraine has not yet received any information from Germany as to when the weapons recently promised by the federal government for defensive combat against Russia will be delivered. So far there is no clarity as to when the Mars multiple rocket launchers from Bundeswehr stocks will be handed over, says the Ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, the “Tagesspiegel” (Online). “We expect the traffic light to quickly fulfill this promise because our troops need this weapon system most urgently to protect Ukrainian civilians from barbaric attacks by Russia.”
2.10 a.m .: France assures Ukraine of more heavy weapons
French President Macron assures Ukraine that he will deliver more heavy weapons if necessary. In a phone call with Zelensky, Macron emphasized that his country was still on Ukraine’s side, the Élysée Palace said. Macron asked Zelenskyy about needs in terms of military equipment, political and financial support, and humanitarian aid.
1:25 a.m.: Ukrainian Defense Minister on difficult situation at the front
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, the situation at the front is difficult. “Every day up to 100 of our soldiers are killed and up to 500 wounded,” writes Resnikov on Facebook. Russia suffers great losses. “But there are still forces advancing in some parts of the front,” he stresses. Ukraine urgently needs heavy weapons. “We have proved that, unlike many others, we do not fear the Kremlin. But as a country, we cannot afford to lose our best sons and daughters.” Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak even speaks of 100 to 200 deaths a day.
12:50 a.m .: “Russians have more casualties than Ukrainians”
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops suffered significant losses in the battle for Sievjerodonetsk. “The Russians have significantly more casualties than the Ukrainians,” said Luhansk governor Serhiy Hajdaj on Facebook. The ratio is “one to ten”. He gave no information on Ukrainian losses. The Russian army has withdrawn the remains of units from the republic of Buryatia in Russia’s Far East. “They die like flies,” says Hajdaj. The information is not independently verifiable.
