Ukraine Invasion: Part 57

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 57. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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Today’s episode of the Rachman Review is an interview with Jake Sullivan. It’s fascinating and features an in depth discussion on decision making around Ukraine.

Thanks for this. I downloaded and listened to this episode and am now subscribed to the podcast.

I am not a huge fan of Jake Sullivan, but I am perhaps slightly more sympathetic to the task the Biden administration faced in managing the escalation risk in Ukraine than before. However, his contention that the US gave everything they wanted in terms of military equipment is obvious rubbish. They debated sending tanks for a year, then sent 30 of them. They discussed sending combat aircraft for over a year, then let other countries supply them. They are now an integral part of Ukraine's air defenses.

In the Middle East, he mentioned in passing the three U.S. Army personnel killed in Jordan by a drone launched by an Iranian proxy (See here). Still, he glossed over the fact that the only response was a few airstrikes on missile sites and a cyberattack on an Iranian intelligence gathering ship. The minimal response was dictated by, again, a fear of escalation, but also sent the message that American military personnel can be attacked with relative impunity.

Agree, although you tend to find ex administration officials on both sides of the pond like to point the rosiest view of their time in office.

I can do it. Enjoy your night away.

Thank you very much!

I need ammunition, not a ride.
Compared with the man who dodged the draft.

I'm the President of Ukraine. And I'm not iconic, I think that Ukraine is iconic.
Compared with the vainest head of state the western world has seen in memory

This was meant to quote the post about Zelenskyy and Trump having been cast in very different moulds

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-28-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Western insider reporting about Kremlin demands to end the war in Ukraine continues to align with repeated public statements from Kremlin officials outlining Russia's demands, indicating that Russia's goal of Ukrainian capitulation and destruction of NATO remains unchanged.
• Putin reportedly maintains his demand that Ukraine cede all of the four oblasts that Russia has illegally annexed but not fully occupied, even as Kremlin officials have signaled that Russia has territorial ambitions beyond these four oblasts.
• Putin continues to demonstrate his willingness to achieve his war aims militarily through a prolonged war in Ukraine during which Russian forces would continue to only make gradual, creeping advances.
• The Kremlin continues to promote its long-standing false narratives that the threat of NATO expansion forced Russia to invade Ukraine in 2022, and that NATO continues to threaten Russia's security.
• The Kremlin continues to promote Russian President Vladimir Putin's envisioned Eurasian security architecture — a Russian-led bloc aimed at countering the West and NATO.
• Russia and Belarus reduced the scope of the September 2025 Zapad-2025 joint Russian-Belarussian military exercise and relocated the main maneuver away from Belarus's western borders, likely to promote a veneer of cooperation and distract from Russia's limited military capacity outside of the Ukraine theater.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to forward an unofficial Russian ideology formulated on Russian nationalism and to try to unify Russian society in support of Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a series of long-range drone strikes targeting Russia's defense industrial base (DIB) on May 27 and 28.
• Ukraine’s Western allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine.
• Ukrainian authorities recently identified a Russian servicemember responsible for the execution of two Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in January 2025.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.

Have a lovely night away Ducks. I’m also away from Saturday for 10 days. Will try to do the next 2 Mondays as usual but will depend on internet connection and may be truncated.

Ill take mondays over then Des (the next two, will admit that having one day off a week is great)

Thank you so much all those doing the round-ups.

It feels like there's not much I can do but this is at least one tiny thing.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Next Ramstein (kyivindependent.com/next-ramstein-summit-to-take-place-on-june-4-in-brussels/) summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels

⚡️ NATO reportedly wants 40,000 more German troops (kyivindependent.com/nato-reportedly-wants-40-000-more-german-troops-for-defense-against-russia/) for defense against Russia.
The alliance's overall demand for the number of brigades provided by member states could go from 80 to between 120 and 130, an undisclosed senior official told Reuters.

⚡️Officials from US, UK, France, Germany to attend (kyivindependent.com/officials-from-us-uk-france-germany-to-attend-ukraine-russia-peace-talks-kellogg-says/) Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Kellogg says.

⚡️China сuts (kyivindependent.com/china-suts-drone-sales-to-ukraine-west-but-continues-supplying-russia-bloomberg-reports/) drone sales to Ukraine, West but continues supplying Russia, Bloomberg reports.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine and Western countries while continuing to supply them to Russia, Bloomberg reported on May 29.

⚡️NATO expansion (kyivindependent.com/nato-expansion-fair-concern-for-putin-kellogg-says/) 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says.
"And that's one of the issues Russia will bring up... They're also talking about Georgia, they're talking about Moldova, they're talking — obviously — about Ukraine. And we're saying, 'Okay, let's address this comprehensively,'" U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.

⚡️ Update: Ukrainian-made drones, IRIS-T – German media (kyivindependent.com/germany-announces-massive-new-ukraine-arms-package-but-no-taurus-missiles/) reveals content of Germany’s new package for Ukraine.
Germany’s new 5-billion-euro ($5.6 billion) military aid package for Ukraine includes about 400 million euros ($450 million) for the production of Ukrainian long-range BARS and AN-196 drones and Flamingo interceptor drones, Welt reported.
The package further reportedly contains four IRIS-T air defense systems and funding for contracts to repair military vehicles in Ukraine, namely Gepard air defenses.

⚡️Russia's budget deficit triples amid sanctions and low oil prices, Ukrainian official says. (kyivindependent.com/russias-budget-deficit-triples-amid-sanctions-and-low-oil-prices-ukrainian-official-says/)

⚡️No sign Russia is preparing to restart Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (kyivindependent.com/no-sign-russia-is-preparing-to-restart-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-reuters-reports/), Reuters reports.

How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds (https://kyivindependent.com/how-much-does-a-russian-drone-attack-on-ukraine-cost-the-question-is-more-complicated-than-it-sounds/)
[.......] deadly storms of drones and missiles are not cheap to carry out, but the costs of these weapons are sensitive military information that Russia keeps classified.

⚡️North Korea sent Russia at least 100 ballistic missiles (kyivindependent.com/north-korea-sent-russia-at-least-100-ballistic-missiles-last-year-monitors-find/) last year, monitors find.

⚡️ 'Shooting Russia in the back' — Serbian companies supplying ammunition (kyivindependent.com/shooting-russia-in-the-back-serbian-companies-supplying-ammunition-to-ukraine-moscow-claims/) to Ukraine, Moscow claims.
"The Serbian defense industry is trying to shoot Russia in the back," Russian foreign intelligence (SVR) claimed.

⚡️Update: 'We only work for Serbia' — Vucic denies (kyivindependent.com/shooting-russia-in-the-back-serbian-companies-supplying-ammunition-to-ukraine-moscow-claims/) Moscow's claims of Serbian companies supplying ammunition to Ukraine.

⚡️Ukrainian commander faces trial for failing to stop torture within his unit. (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-commander-faces-trial-for-failing-to-stop-torture-within-his-unit/)
The investigators determined that from February to July 2024, Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade, was aware of repeated instances of torture and cruel treatment carried out by a subordinate officer but failed to take any action.

⚡️Ukraine to boycott (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-boycott-world-judo-championships-after-belarus-allowed-to-compete-under-national-flag/) World Judo Championships over Belarus's participation under national flag.

⚡️'He was kidnapped' — Georgian opposition leader detained (kyivindependent.com/he-was-kidnapped-georgian-opposition-leader-detained-as-ruling-party-continues-crackdown-on-dissent/) as ruling party continues crackdown on dissent.
Leader of the Georgian opposition party "Coalition for Change," Nika Melia, was detained on May 29, NewsGeorgia reported, citing Melia's associates.

The Kyiv Independent wins Ukrainian journalism award for exposing Russian soldiers’ sexual violence
(https://kyivindependent.com/the-kyiv-independent-wins-ukrainian-journalism-award-for-exposing-russian-soldiers-sexual-violence/)
The Kyiv Independent's investigative documentary, "He Came Back," which exposes sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, has won the 2025 Ukrainian journalism award, "Honor of the Profession."

⚡️Portnov reportedly met (kyivindependent.com/ex-ukrainian-official-portnov-met-with-top-ukrainian-officials-in-kyiv-days-before-the-murder-media-reports/) controversial Zelensky staffer, Ukraine's investigations chief before being killed in Madrid.

⚡️ Ukrainian abducted (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-abducted-in-russian-occupied-crimea-ukraines-ombudsman-appeals-to-moscow/) in Russian-occupied Crimea; Ukraine's ombudsman appeals to Moscow.

Russia's crackdown on Ukrainian Christians, unmasked
()
Melitopol has long been a place of religious and cultural diversity, where Christian churches — including vibrant Protestant communities — coexisted peacefully. But after Russia’s full-scale invasion, everything changed. As occupation took hold, churches became more than places of worship — they became pillars of resilience. Locals gathered for daily prayers in the city’s central square. Russia responded with a crackdown.

⚡️9 injured (kyivindependent.com/9-injured-in-kharkiv-amid-russian-drone-attack/) in Kharkiv amid Russian drone attack.

⚡️Over 89,000 Russian targets struck (kyivindependent.com/over-89-000-russian-targets-hit-destroyed-in-march-using-drones-ukraines-commander-says/) in May using drones, Ukraine's commander claims.
Syrskyi did not specify which targets were hit. Throughout Russia's all-out war, Ukrainian drones have been used to target Russian vehicles, troops, as well as fortified positions.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims

⚡️Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-7-injure-39-over-past-day/) against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day.
Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
Thirty drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 1h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — MAY 30, 2025
■ Casualties rise despite a drop in engagements
■ Reported equipment losses remain well below average
■ Visually confirmed: 2.2× 🇷🇺/🇺🇦 — primarily older losses
■ Fewer 🇷🇺 strikes and a more favorable strike ratio for 🇺🇦

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Agreed with Merz not to discuss publicly — Zelenskyy on Taurus missiles
“There are certain topics that we agreed not to discuss publicly... We discussed the Taurus issue with the Chancellor in two conversations. We are working in this direction. But I cannot give you more details. I promised this to the Chancellor, and I keep my word,” Zelenskyy said.

🇮🇹 Italy does not intend to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine, Il Fatto Quotidiano reports, citing two government officials.
The publication notes that although the contents of Italy’s 11 military aid packages to Ukraine remain classified (the latest was announced on May 17), it is known that the country has provided Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv.

The IMF has approved a new tranche of approximately $500 million for Ukraine following the latest review of its $15.5 billion lending program, Bloomberg reports.
[...]Talks between the IMF and Ukrainian officials revealed no major disagreements, though the lender expressed concern over Kyiv’s plan to increase its wartime budget by about 400 billion hryvnias ($9.6 billion) this year — a move that could push the deficit beyond 10% of GDP, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
While the IMF acknowledges the urgency of increasing defense spending due to stalled ceasefire efforts, it is urging Ukraine to clarify how the additional spending will be financed. One source noted that the funds may be raised through domestic borrowing.
The IMF also raised concerns over delays in appointing a new head of Ukraine’s customs service — a reform commitment under the loan agreement.
According to the schedule, Ukraine is expected to receive the next tranche of around $440 million in August, pending a successful review. The program is set to run until 2027.

Ukraine has used an AI-powered "drone-mother" for the first time, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced.
According to Fedorov, the drone-mother delivers two FPV strike drones to a range of up to 300 kilometers. These drones can autonomously locate and strike targets, including aircraft, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure.
If the mission range is within 100 kilometers, the drone-mother returns for reuse. Each mission costs around $10,000—300 to 500 times cheaper than launching a missile.
The SmartPilot system relies on visual-inertial navigation, using cameras as its primary guide. LIDAR enhances precision. Artificial intelligence identifies and selects targets independently.

❗️North Korea has delivered over 20,000 containers of weapons to Russia, Yonhap reports.
The shipments include approximately 9 million rounds of artillery and MLRS ammunition, over 100 ballistic missiles, more than 200 heavy artillery pieces, as well as anti-tank guided missiles and rockets.
According to the report, this volume of supplies is enough to equip three full brigades.
In addition, North Korea sent over 11,000 troops to Russia in 2024 and has recently dispatched another 3,000 soldiers.

The U.S. is calculating potential air battle scenarios with Russia over Europe, according to an analytical report by the Rand Corporation, prepared at the request of the U.S. Air Force.
The report suggests that in the initial days of a conflict, Russia may be able to strike NATO forces. However, the alliance is expected to achieve air superiority over Eastern Europe shortly afterward.
Experts note that neutralizing Russia’s air defense systems would pave the way for active reconnaissance and precision strikes. NATO aircraft could then track enemy movements, identify vulnerabilities, and conduct large-scale attacks on command centers, logistics hubs, and mobile combat units—allowing the alliance to seize the initiative quickly.
At the same time, the report warns that such a conflict could escalate into nuclear war, especially if Russian forces suffer severe losses or if NATO’s actions are perceived as a threat to Russia’s territorial integrity.

Since the beginning of the year, losses among Russian occupiers have exceeded 190,000 personnel — reaching 194,140 — according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

The Russian Federation has lost over 4,000 tanks in 3.5 years of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Poland Backs Plan to Offer Ukrainian as Second Foreign Language in Schools
The initiative was discussed during a working visit by a Ukrainian delegation, and aligns with existing Polish legislation that allows schools to offer Ukrainian language classes if there is parental demand, a qualified teacher, a group of students, and approval from the school administration.
A final decision on the matter is expected as part of broader school reforms planned for 2026–2027, Ukraine’s education ministry said.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Moscow has offered to hold a second round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul (www.kyivpost.com/post/53601) on June 2, where it wants to present a so-called “memorandum” outlining its conditions for a long-term peace settlement.

After the Kremlin accused (www.kyivpost.com/post/53623) Ukraine of ignoring its ceasefire proposal, Zelensky responded that he never received one.

Russia’s largest oil company Lukoil evades sanctions (www.kyivpost.com/post/53625) by funnelling operations through Northern Ireland.

Ukrainian partisans from Atesh scouted the UEC-Klimov plant in St. Petersburg—key (www.kyivpost.com/post/53598) to Russia’s combat aviation. Engines for MiGs & Ka-52s exposed.

Polish President Duda has awarded Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Budanov one of the country’s highest state honors for foreign nationals — the Golden Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

The ruble is crashing. Inflation is rising. Russia says all is fine—but the numbers say civil unrest may be near.
Prof. Prof. Volodymyr Lugovskyy—a Ukraine-born economist, PhD from Purdue, and current Chair of the Economics Department at Indiana University, warns: "This isn’t resilience—it’s controlled collapse."
The truth behind Russia’s economic spiral:

As the plight of ordinary Ukrainians resulting from Russia’s ongoing attacks on their country falls off Western news coverage a group of Italian bike enthusiasts (www.kyivpost.com/post/53592) decide to do something about it by delivering medical supplies after a 3,400-kilometer bike ride.

Volunteers hand over the long-range “Chernivtsi-Ashdod”. (www.kyivpost.com/post/53614) 338 Ruger sniper rifle to Ukraine’s paratroopers. Named after cities in Ukraine & Israel, it will allow them to strike targets up to 2 km away.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Russia is advancing at its fastest pace since November 2024, The New York Times reports. Throughout May, Russian forces have been capturing an average of 5.5 square miles per day.

Chinese-made Mavic drones are no longer being sold to Ukraine or European countries, but continue to be supplied to Russia, Zelensky stated.
The civilian Mavic quadcopter has been adapted for wartime use — capable of carrying explosives and widely deployed for reconnaissance on the battlefield.
A European official confirmed Zelensky’s claim, adding that China has likely also reduced shipments of certain drone components to Western buyers while increasing such deliveries to Russia.

Throughout 2024, Russia received 9 million artillery shells, 100 ballistic missiles, and 11,000 soldiers from North Korea, according to a report by an international monitoring group.
In addition, Pyongyang transferred over 200 pieces of military equipment to Russia, including self-propelled artillery units, multiple launch rocket systems, reload vehicles, Bulsae-4 anti-tank guided missiles, and RPGs.
In return, Moscow supplied North Korea with air defense systems, surface-to-air missiles, advanced electronic warfare equipment, and refined oil — without proper reporting.
This extensive military and economic cooperation constitutes a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Allies of Donald Trump are pressuring him to support new sanctions against Russia, sources tell Reuters.
Trump is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Vladimir Putin but still hopes to preserve a potential economic partnership with Russia. He believes that additional sanctions could heighten tensions with Moscow and complicate efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine.
Some Republican lawmakers and White House advisers are backing a bill that would impose 500% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium. The legislation was introduced in the Senate a month ago by Republican Lindsey Graham. This approach could allow Trump to tell Putin that the sanctions were beyond his control, while keeping a communication channel with the Kremlin open.
Following intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine in recent days, Trump is now seriously considering the possibility of imposing new sanctions.

Overnight, Russian drones targeted the city of Izmail in Ukraine’s Odesa region, destroying a logistics depot and a postal office.

Russian forces launched a drone attack on Kharkiv, damaging a trolleybus depot and more than 30 apartment buildings.
The city was targeted with eight Shahed drones. According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, most of the public transport fleet had been preemptively dispersed across the city, which helped prevent greater losses.

According to Orbán’s government, our intelligence services control the Hungarian opposition, and soon we’ll take Hungarian jobs. Here’s how we — and Orbán — supposedly pulled it off.
Hungary is in the midst of a sweeping anti-Ukrainian campaign. The government accuses Ukrainians of espionage, criminal activity, and of plotting to steal jobs from Hungarian farmers and siphon off state subsidies. Kyiv is portrayed as the primary threat to Budapest — a cunning enemy that, allegedly, even created the Hungarian opposition.
In reality, this is a familiar tactic from Viktor Orbán’s pre-election playbook: rally the public around an external threat. But unlike previous campaigns — against Brussels or George Soros — this one is far more intense. The reason is simple: after 15 years in power, Orbán has never been this close to losing it.

🇨🇿In the Czech Republic, a Teacher Received a Suspended Sentence for Denying Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
In early April 2022, Martina Bednaržová told eighth graders that “nothing is happening” in Kyiv and claimed Russian actions were justified.

Sincere thanks from me too.

Thanks @DucklingSwimmingInstructress @DesdamonasHandkerchief @LlttledrummergirI. Let me know/PM me if you need me to lighten the load on any of your days by my taking over the Kyiv Independent Telegram round up.

Enjoy your well deserved night away Ducks. The round ups are not small thing. They are the wallpaper to my day.❤

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-29-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian officials continue to dictate the terms and timing of peace negotiations with Ukraine and are attempting to obfuscate the current state of negotiations. Russian officials are setting conditions to falsely accuse Ukraine of delaying negotiations.
• Russia is forcing Ukraine to make concessions on the timing, terms, and location of negotiations.
• ISW previously assessed that Russian forces are leveraging the fact that Ukraine and Russia set no concrete deadlines for the next steps in the peace process in order to delay the process altogether and prolong the war.
• Western reporting indicates that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is increasing drone deliveries to Russia while reducing sales to Ukrainian and Western buyers, further demonstrating China's increasingly overt support for Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
• A Ukrainian defense manufacturer and official announced that Ukraine has fielded a long-range drone with sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI).
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Kurakhove and Russian forces recently advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast and near Kupyansk, Borova, Lyman, and Pokrovsk.

Thank you so much 👍

www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-30-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian officials continue to signal the Kremlin's uncompromising position ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul on June 2, suggesting that the upcoming Istanbul meeting is very unlikely to yield substantive results in support of an enduring peace in Ukraine.
• Russian officials are pocketing major US concessions and continuing to make further demands of Ukraine and the West.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Novopavlivka, and Kurakhove.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

⚡️Easing fears of US pullback, Trump to appoint (kyivindependent.com/trump-to-appoint-next-nato-military-chief-easing-fears-of-us-pullback-reuters-reports/) next chief of NATO's European command, Reuters reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure, Reuters reported on May 30, citing unnamed officials.

⚡️Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ready-for-2nd-round-of-istanbul-talks-but-seeks/) but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says.

⚡️Zelensky, Erdogan discuss (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-erdogan-discuss-june-2-peace-talks-in-phone-call/) proposed June 2 peace talks in phone call.

⚡️Ukraine's memorandum proposes (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-memorandum-proposes-ceasefire-across-land-air-and-sea-nyt-reports/) ceasefire across land, air, and sea, NYT reports.

⚡️ Putin in favor of meeting (kyivindependent.com/russia-open-to-zelensky-putin-trump-meeting-if-progress-made-at-june-2-peace-talks/) Zelensky, Trump if progress is made in peace talks, Kremlin says.

⚡️ Russia may 'consider (kyivindependent.com/russia-to-consider-ceasefire-on-conditions-ukraine-halts-weapons-mobilization-envoy-says/)' ceasefire if Ukraine stops mobilization, arms deliveries, ambassador says
Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, pledged that Moscow would "continue and intensify military operations for as long as necessary."

⚡️ Senate to 'start moving (kyivindependent.com/82-us-senators-back-bone-crushing-russia-sanctions-expected-to-advance-next-week-graham-says/)' Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says.
The proposed bill would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.

⚡️Ukraine to skip (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-skip-665-million-debt-payment-bloomberg-reports/) $665 million debt payment, Bloomberg reports.
Ukraine will skip a $665 million government debt payment after failing to agree on restructuring terms with creditors, Bloomberg reported on May 30.

⚡️Explosions in Vladivostok part of Ukrainian operation damaging (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-behind-explosions-in-vladivostok-causing-damage-to-russian-military-source-claims/) base of elite Russian unit, source claims.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) was behind explosions near Desantnaya Bay in Russia's Vladivostok on May 30, which reportedly damaged military personnel and equipment, a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️Trump 'very surprised (kyivindependent.com/trump-surprised-disappointed-at-russian-attacks-on-ukraine-amid-peace-talks/), disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

⚡️Kremlin fabricated (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-staged-putins-near-miss-with-ukrainian-drones-moscow-times-reports/) story on Putin’s near-miss with Ukrainian drones, Moscow Times reports.
Claims of Russian President Vladimir Putin's helicopter being "at the epicenter" of a Ukrainian drone attack in Kursk Oblast were reportedly fabricated by the Kremlin, the Moscow Times reported on May 30, citing four Russian government sources.

️ Ukraine offers (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-offers-4-800-bonus-to-new-doctors-in-rural-combat-zones/) $4,800 bonus to new doctors in rural, combat zones.
The new measure, set to take effect in 2025, is aimed at addressing critical staffing shortages in front-line and underserved regions from which many residents — and professionals — have fled due to ongoing Russian attacks.

The Hungary-Ukraine spy scandal and Russia's possible role, explained (kyivindependent.com/the-hungary-ukraine-spy-scandal-and-russias-possible-role-explained/)
Ukraine's rocky relationship with Hungary reached new lows this month with the uncovering of an alleged spy ring run from Budapest.

⚡️Russia sent (kyivindependent.com/russia-sent-ukraine-65-civilians-who-were-slated-for-deportation-in-major-prisoner-exchange/) Ukraine 65 civilians slated for deportation in major prisoner exchange.

⚡️1 child killed, 1 injured in Russian missile attack (kyivindependent.com/1-child-killed-1-injured-in-russian-missile-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-oblast/) on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Zelenskyy, Erdoğan Discuss Possible Four-Party Talks With U.S. and Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed the possibility of a four-party meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States during a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Türkiye Sees Opportunity for Lasting Peace in Ukraine War, Offers to Host Talks — Fidan
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that the war in Ukraine may be approaching a turning point, with the potential to reach a lasting peace by the end of the year. He added that Ankara is committed to accelerating the process.

Microsoft to Exit Russia as Local Subsidiary Prepares for Bankruptcy
Microsoft is finalising its exit from the Russian market, with its local subsidiary, OOO “Microsoft Rus”, preparing to file for bankruptcy, Russian court filings show.
The company intends to submit the application to the Moscow Arbitration Court. Gazprombank has been named as the primary creditor.
The move follows a claim by Gazprombank seeking to recover 90.9 million rubles ($1.14 million) under a technical support contract that was in effect between September 2021 and September 2022.

Zelenskyy met with U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal in Kyiv, both co-authors of a bill proposing wide-ranging sanctions against Russia.
Zelenskyy said Russia was “trying to make a mockery of diplomacy” and stressed the need for increased pressure on Moscow.

Senator Graham Rejects Claims Ukraine Is Losing War, Calls It Russian Propaganda
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Friday that the notion Ukraine is losing the war is a myth propagated by Russia.
“Just compare the map of Ukraine now to where it was last year — the Russian offensive has failed,” the Republican senator said.
Graham also announced plans to hold a Senate briefing on Ukraine and said he would discuss with European partners the possibility of lowering the price cap on Russian oil and tightening sanctions against China.

Nine-Year-Old Girl Killed, Teen Boy Injured in Russian Airstrike on Zaporizhzhia Village
A nine-year-old girl was killed and a 16-year-old boy wounded in a Russian airstrike on a front-line village in the Polohy district of Zaporizhzhia region, the head of the regional administration, Ivan Fedorov, said on Friday.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Japan just handed Ukraine a $3 billion loan — (www.kyivpost.com/post/53684) backed by frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is fuming, calling it “complicity in theft.”

As the Senate moves forward with a bipartisan bill to tighten sanctions on Russia, (www.kyivpost.com/post/53697) Trump says he’s not sure if he supports it.

Trump has judged Putin (www.kyivpost.com/post/53649) over civilian killings during ceasefire talks. Secretary Rubio urges Russia to act in good faith after speaking with Lavrov.

A new intercepted call from Belgorod reveals (www.kyivpost.com/post/53660) that Russia is cutting gas to and forcing evacuations from Belgorod border villages as it creates a militarized “gray zone” delineated with barbed wire fencing.

Washington lawyers and lobbyists are helping (www.kyivpost.com/post/53682) executives from the Russian defence behemoth, Rostec, challenge US sanctions.

This is what the last day of school looks like in Ukraine.
Instead of a celebration, these children stood by the grave of their classmate — killed along with his brother and sister in a Russian strike on Korostyshiv, Zhytomyr region.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has responded to comments made by Trump envoy Keith Kellogg, who expressed readiness to discuss halting NATO’s eastward expansion.
“NATO enlargement serves Russia’s security interests,” Lipavský wrote. “Where Russia borders NATO countries, there is no war. In other regions — there is.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced that Serbia and Russia will conduct a joint investigation into reports of Serbian ammunition being supplied to Ukraine.

❗️🇷🇸An explosion occurred at the “Krušik” defense factory in Serbia, which produces ammunition, rockets, and other weaponry.
Five people were injured in the blast. The company reported that the incident was caused by the accidental activation of a detonator amplifier.
The explosion came just one day after Russia’s foreign intelligence service accused Serbian companies of continuing to supply ammunition to Ukraine — with Krušik named among them.

Russian media have verified the names of more than 110,000 Russians killed in the war.
When adjusted for the male population, the highest death rates are seen in remote regions. Tyva leads by a wide margin, with 120 deaths per 10,000 men, followed by Buryatia (91) and the Republic of Altai (89).
In Tyva, one in four of the dead was a convict sent to war from a penal colony. In Buryatia, one in five was mobilized. In Altai, nearly half of the fatalities were volunteers.
Journalists emphasize that the real death toll is significantly higher than what can be confirmed from open sources. Their estimates put total Russian military deaths between 191,000 and 269,000.
▪️According to the Ukrainian General Staff, as of May 30, total Russian losses (killed and wounded) amount to 968,080.

An updated design for Lviv’s Memorial Complex of Military Burials has been officially presented.
The complex will include a ceremonial area, a burial space, a Wall of Remembrance featuring the names and portraits of the fallen — including those who could not be buried — a columbarium, and a small nearby body of water.