Updates on the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Lawrow Criticizes Implementation of Grain Agreement Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized the implementation of the grain agreement with Ukraine. Meanwhile, there are reports of further attacks from Russia in the Belgorod region. Read the latest developments from Monday.
2: End of Liveblog We would like to thank you for your interest as we close our liveblog for the day on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
3: Selenskyj Thanks Air Defense After massive Russian attacks with drones, cruise missiles, and rockets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj thanked the country’s air defense for saving hundreds of lives. He reported that although there were some impacts, most of the drones and rockets had been shot down. He called for further help in defending the country.
4: NATO States and Partner Countries Conduct Air Force Exercise in Northern Europe A large air force exercise involving more than a dozen countries has begun in northern Europe. This nearly two-week exercise, known as the “Arctic Challenge Exercise,” is hosted by Nordic countries and includes countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. Finland recently joined as the 31st member state of NATO.
5: Denmark Increases Financial Aid to Ukraine Denmark has significantly increased its fund for supporting Ukraine, established in March. The government will contribute an additional 7.5 billion Danish crowns (around 1 billion Euros) to the fund this year and 10.4 billion crowns (just shy of 1.4 billion Euros) next year. The funds will go toward military support, humanitarian aid, and assistance to Danish companies to help with Ukraine’s reconstruction.
6: Governor Reports Two Deaths in Donetsk Region According to the Ukrainian governor, a Russian attack on Torezk in the Donetsk region has left two dead and eight injured. Security forces are on-site, as reports arise of Russian attacks targeting civilians in the region. Russia denies any such claims.
Latest Developments on Conflicts Involving Ukraine
7: Ukrainian Parliament Passes Iran Sanctions The Ukrainian parliament has passed sanctions against Russia’s ally, Iran. The sanctions include a ban on military and dual-use goods, suspension of transits of such goods through Ukraine, and suspension of economic and financial obligations to Iranian residents. The legislation follows Ukraine’s accusation that Russia is attacking Ukrainian cities with drones of Iranian origin.
8: Presidential Advisor Proposes Demilitarized Zone on Russian Territory Ukrainian President’s advisor, Michailo Podoljak, proposes a demilitarized zone beyond the Russian-Ukrainian border as part of a post-war agreement. The zone would be a 100-120 kilometre wide strip on Russian territory that includes the area around Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and Rostov. Podoljak proposed enlisting security forces to monitor a potential ceasefire, and international peacekeepers within the demilitarized zone.
9: Lawrow Criticizes Grain Agreement Implementation Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has criticized the implementation of the agreement for Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea, which was recently extended. He cites ongoing restrictions on Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports and Moscow’s expectation that Ukrainian grain exports would ease these restrictions. Ukraine, however, accuses Russia of obstructing their grain shipments despite the agreement.
10: Ballistic Missile Attack on Kyiv Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles, with debris landing in the city’s northern and central districts. One civilian was reported injured. Previously, Russia had attacked the capital with drones and cruise missiles overnight. Ukraine’s air defense was able to stop over 40 Russian missiles.
11: Ukraine Acquires Advanced Air Defense Systems Over the past months, Ukraine has received advanced air defense systems from western countries to better defend against Russian attacks.
Russia Withdraws from CFE Treaty, Escalates Attacks on Ukraine
12: Russia Officially Withdraws from CFE Treaty Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law Russia’s withdrawal from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE Treaty), which limits heavy weapon stationing on the European continent. While Russia has largely frozen its adherence to the 1990 treaty, Putin’s move formalizes its withdrawal. The treaty covers combat and armored vehicles, heavy artillery, combat aircraft, and helicopters. In 2007, Moscow stopped implementing most of the treaty, and it has not participated in the CFE Consultative Group since 2015.
13: Governor Reports Ukrainian Attack on Russian Region Belgorod The Governor of Russia’s Belgorod region reported that several towns on the border were simultaneously hit by Ukrainian artillery fire. Two industrial plants were attacked in the border town of Shebekino, resulting in four injuries and power outages in several towns.
14: British Intelligence: Russian Deception Tactics Ineffective According to British intelligence, Russian tactics of deception and misdirection, known as “Maskirovka,” have been largely ineffective in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. An exercise carried out by Russia on 24 May involving the Krim bridge included a smoke cover to obscure the bridge. British intelligence reported that in practice, such tactics have been ineffective due to the lack of a strong central planning structure and low-level combat discipline.
15: Kyiv Attacked in Broad Daylight The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was hit again by intense Russian airstrikes, this time during the day. Most previous attacks were carried out at night or in the early hours of the morning. The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, urged residents to take cover as explosions were heard in central neighborhoods. The military administration reported the activation of air defenses, and numerous anti-aircraft rockets were seen in the sky over the city.
16: Military Target in Chmelnyzkij Region Hit According to Ukrainian officials, Russia’s airstrikes targeted the Chmelnyzkij region in the western part of the country, hitting a military depot containing fuel, lubricants, and ammunition. Firefighters are still struggling to contain the fires.
17: Ukrainian Military Intercepts Dozens of Russian Missiles and Drones In the latest round of fighting, the Ukrainian military claimed to have intercepted 37 of 40 missiles launched by Russian forces and shot down 29 of 35 drones. The Russian strikes targeted military facilities and critical infrastructure.
Russian Attacks Continue in Ukraine as Foreign Investors Withdraw Billions
18: Odessa Port Damaged in Drone Attack According to Ukrainian officials, the port of Odessa was partially damaged in a Russian drone attack overnight. A fire broke out in the port infrastructure, but was quickly extinguished. It remains unclear if the damage will impact the export of grain from the port.
19: Foreign Investors Withdraw $36 Billion from Russia Foreign investors have withdrawn approximately $36 billion from Russia between March 2022 and March 2023, according to the Russian Central Bank. This comes after the departure of several major companies due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
20: Ukrainian Air Defenses Shoot Down Over 40 Russian Missiles The Ukrainian military reported that over 40 Russian missiles were shot down over Kyiv, in a combination of drone and missile attacks. No injuries were reported.
21: Massive Drone Attack Hits Kyiv Kyiv was hit by a massive drone attack overnight, with more than 40 drones reportedly shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. The attack lasted over five hours, and it was carried out using Shahed drones of Iranian manufacture.
22: Putin and Selenskyj Congratulate Erdogan Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj both congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection. Putin praised Erdogan’s efforts to “strengthen state sovereignty and pursue an independent foreign policy”, while Selenskyj emphasized his desire to “strengthen the partnership for security and stability in Europe”.
23: Ukraine Plans Long-Term Sanctions Against Iran Ukrainian President Selenskyj has announced plans for sanctions against Iran that will last for 50 years. This comes amid tensions between the two countries, as Iran has been accused of providing weapons to Russia to use against Ukraine.