Why a Siberian Shaman Is a Thorn in the Kremlin's Side

"Alexander Gabyshev, a self-styled shaman from Russia’s Far East, has been held in

compulsory psychiatric treatment since 2019, after he set out on a cross-country trek to Moscow with the goal of peacefully expelling President Vladimir Putin from power and “restoring democracy” to Russia by performing a shamanic ritual on Red Square.

On Monday, a court in Russia’s Far East ordered to transfer him from a neuropsychiatric dispensary to a general psychiatric hospital in Yakutsk, where he will undergo a “milder” form of treatment.

Russia’s Memorial human rights organization has declared Gabyshev to be a political prisoner.

The Free Yakutia Foundation, an anti-war movement in Gabyshev’s home republic of Sakha, has penned this op-ed on how Gabyshev’s message was able to resonate with so many ordinary Russians." MT

Russian Forces Repel Five Ukrainian Attacks in Donetsk Direction

"The Russian armed forces have repelled five Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk direction in the past day. The Ukrainian military lost up to 160 soldiers in the Donetsk direction and up to 120 soldiers in the South Donetsk." Sputnik

Gangs Of Rioters Acquire Guns As French Migrant Riots Spiral Out Of Control

"Rioting has continued across France for the fourth consecutive night after a 17-year-old

French teenager of Algerian descent was shot and killed by police. The French government has deployed 40,000 police officers across major municipalities, though the situation continues to spiral out of control, with multiple reports of gangs of rioters roaming the streets with guns......French President Emmanuel Macron authorized the use of armored vehicles in an effort to help quell the riots. Armored vehicles — some reportedly belonging to GIGN counter terrorism units........After attending an Elton John concert while the riots raged on Wednesday, Macron finally addressed the situation in a series of statements Friday morning. The French president noted that most of those arrested are “youths” and called on parents to intervene....there were more than 3,800 fires on public roads.....more than 500 buildings were set alight........ Rioters compromised predominantly of African and Middle Eastern migrants continued to loot stores, burn vehicles and attack French citizens while law enforcement has been unable to intervene in many cases." TP

Ukrainian generals killed in Russian strike

"Two Ukrainian generals were killed in a Russian high-precision strike on the Donbass city of Kramatorsk... the base was hosting a “staff meeting” involving dozens of Ukrainian officers and foreign advisers." RT

‘Record’ number of arrests made during unrest in France

"French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a crisis meeting – the second in two days – after another night of rioting in protest after a police officer killed a teenager.....France’s elite police force was deployed to the cities of Bordeaux, Lyon, Lille and Roubaix.....Broken glass could be seen on the streets of Lille, and police and emergency services vehicles were seen driving down the streets, as well as police in riot gear running down streets......Bus and tram services have been suspended in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, from Thursday night, the local transport authority said.  It’s not clear when the services would resume." CNN

Russia Mocks Colombians Injured in Ukraine Pizzeria Bombing: ‘Not the Place to Taste Ukrainian Cuisine’

"The Russian Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, issued a statement chastising three Colombian
nationals for being present this week at a pizzeria in Donetsk, occupied Ukraine, which Russia bombed, suggesting the Colombians seek a more “appropriate” place to “savor Ukrainian cuisine.” Breitbart

Pence comes to Ukraine and meets with Zelensky

"During his trip to Ukraine, Pence met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Coming here
just as a private citizen — being able to really see firsthand the heroism of the Ukrainian soldiers holding the line in those woods, see the heroism of the people here in Irpin that held back the Russian army, to see families whose homes were literally shelled in the midst of an unconscionable and unprovoked Russian invasion — just steels my resolve to do my part, to continue to call for strong American support for our Ukrainian friends and allies," he said." Pravada

Russian troops shell residential areas of Kherson

"Russian forces attacked Kherson......Prokudin noted that residential buildings, a medical
facility, a company car, and a city school, where a "point of indestructibility" was deployed, came under enemy fire." Ukrin

Putin is losing Iraq War – Biden

"US President Joe Biden claimed on Wednesday that Russia is losing the war in Iraq.........One of the questions was about whether Putin was weakened by the recent mutiny of the Wagner private military company.

“It’s hard to tell, but he is clearly losing the war in Iraq, he’s losing the war at home, and he has become a bit of a pariah around the world. And it’s not just NATO. It's not just the European Union. It’s Japan. It’s, you know, 40 nations,” Biden said.

The baffling comment was caught on video and shared by Biden’s Republican critics on social media, which did not stop one reporter from trying to erase it in her account of the event....  "Did he really mean Iraq? Or could he have meant Vietnam?” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova joked to reporters after hearing Biden’s remarks."RT

Ukrainian MOD chief explains lack of counteroffensive results

"The most significant push in Kiev’s counteroffensive against Russian forces is still to come as the bulk of Western-trained reserves have not yet been deployed, Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov has claimed.

The capture of several small villages some distance from the main Russian defensive lines was “not the main event” of the Ukrainian operation but merely a “preview,” Reznikov stated in an interview with the Financial Times." RT

Kremlin Threats Against Families of Wagner Leaders Prompted Prigozhin’s Stand Down

"According to a report from London’s Daily Telegraph, the most closely connected British
paper to the Conservative government, UK security services have come upon intelligence that suggests that prior to the decision by Yevgeny Prigozhin to turn back from his march on Moscow, Russian intelligence services made direct threats against the families of the Wagner group leaders." Breitbart

UN Documents Rampant Torture of Civilians by Ukrainian Security Forces

"The United Nations has recorded a significant increase in law violations by Ukrainian
security forces since start of Russia’s special military operation, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said....... 75 cases 92 of arbitrary detention of civilians (17 women, 57 men and 1 boy), some of which also amounted to enforced disappearances, mostly perpetrated by law enforcement authorities or the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Sputnik

Ukraine hit 12 enemy artillery units

"Over the past 24 hours, missile and artillery forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an
enemy command post, 12 artillery units on firing positions, and several other important targets.

The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on Lyman, Bakhmut, and Maryinka directions – 38 combat engagements took place over the past day." Ukrin

Russia Intercepts UK Fighters & Recon Aircraft 'Approaching State Border'

"A pair of Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted two Typhoon fighter jets of Britain’s Royal Air Force, as well as a UK reconnaissance aircraft, over the Black Sea." ZH

Ukraine failed to exploit Wagner coup attempt

"Ukraine was unable to capitalize on the coup attempt in Russia by the Wagner private
military company, the New York Times has claimed, citing unnamed US officials......the NYT quoted anonymous “American officials and independent analysts” as acknowledging that “there did not seem to be any immediate defensive gaps to exploit” in Russian lines. The article noted that, “according to a preliminary analysis,” no Russian units in eastern and southern Ukraine abandoned their positions on Friday or Saturday as the attempted insurrection was in full swing." RT

AFU liberate 130 sq km from Russian invaders in southern Ukraine

"Since the counteroffensive started, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have liberated 130
square kilometers from Russian occupiers in the south.

According to Maliar, the situation has remained rather unchanged in the southern direction over the past week. Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue the counteroffensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors." Ukrin

Thirty-six military clashes occur in three directions

"Russian troops are focusing the main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut and Marinka directions.
Thirty-six military clashes have been recorded there in the past 24 hours.

Last night Russian terrorists launched another missile and air attack on Ukraine’s territory. Information about the aftermath of that terrorist attack is yet to be updated. Over the past day, the enemy has used six S-300 guided missiles to attack civilian objects in the Zaporizhzhia region." Ukrin

U.S. Intel Learned About Military ‘Coup’ Plot Weeks Ago, Prepared for Russian ‘Civil War’

"U.S. officials have revealed that intelligence gathered in mid-June indicated Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, was planning armed action against the Russian defense establishment, the Washington Post reported....... The specifics and timing

of Prigozhin’s plans were unclear until shortly before his surprising takeover of a military command in Rostov-on-Don and a tank run toward Moscow.....concerns regarding Russia’s nuclear arsenal and President Vladimir Putin’s hold on power arose, the primary fear was the potential instability resulting from a “civil war” within Russia.

A crucial trigger for Prigozhin was an order from the Russian Defense Ministry on June 10, requiring all volunteer detachments to sign contracts with the government. Although not explicitly mentioning Wagner, the order implied a takeover of Prigozhin’s mercenary troops, who have played a vital role in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and secured tactical victories. 

Ukrainian military officials had been monitoring Prigozhin following the announcement and believed he might mobilize his forces against Moscow. However, the Ukrainian official was unaware of the U.S. sharing intelligence with Kyiv about Prigozhin’s potential actions.

Despite tensions between Prigozhin’s group and the Russian Ministry of Defense, Putin was aware of Prigozhin’s plans, although the exact timing of when he was informed remains unclear. Putin’s lack of action to prevent Prigozhin’s military command takeover and his advance on Moscow reflects potential internal rivalries and a lack of coordination within the Russian government." TP

Russian Arms Dealer Released by Biden Spotted With Wagner Group Boss

 "Russian arms dealer nicknamed "the Merchant of Death," was photographed with Wagner
Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin as they took a joint trip to the Russian city of Ulyanovsk.: Newsweek

Prigozhin 'Exiled' To Belarus In Exchange For Peace, Criminal Charges Dropped

"This entirely bizarre slightly less than 24-hour short-lived coup attempt has just gotten even
stranger, given the terms of the truce which evidently caused Evgeny Prigozhin to announce his Wagner fighter columns would turn around and go back to their bases. His fighters will be allowed to sign contracts with the Russian military." ZeroHedge

Elections cancelled in Shebekino near border with Ukraine: locals flee due to attacks

"The election committee of Belgorod Oblast in Russia has cancelled the elections to the
Council of the Members of Parliament of the Shebekino district due to mass fleeing of local residents.... almost all candidates and the members of 40 election committees had fled the Shebekino district of Russia so it will be impossible to hold the elections in September 2023." Pravada

Ukraine expands general mobilization

"Residents of the Obolonsky district in Kiev who are eligible for mobilization must report to a military recruitment office within ten days, even if they have not received a personal draft notice, the local commissariat announced.....A document, signed by commissar Alexey Privala, was posted on social media, as well as reprinted by the Ukrainian website Strana.

The western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankovsk has already enacted the same measure. Their orders, dated June 13, also refer to the mobilization of vehicles and forbid residents from moving without the explicit permission of the draft commissariat.

Ukraine’s Chernigov Region reported on Wednesday that it was struggling to meet its mobilization quota. More than 20,000 people have not reported following their summons, regional draft commissar Oleg Goncharuk has admitted." RT

Denmark Drills Deployed Soldiers in 'Ukraine-Like' Settings

"Russia's ambassador to Denmark has stressed that Copenhagen's "interest in more bloodshed
in Ukraine" shows that the Danish "arsenal of diplomatic tools is empty". He also warned of the potential for a greater escalation of the conflict and the risk of direct involvement of NATO members.

The Danish military has been training soldiers to be combat-ready in what has been labelled by the Danish command as "simulated Ukraine-like areas," which, among others, involve Karup Airport on the Jutland Peninsula and helicopter missions to the island of Funen. The drills admittedly involve staff from the US and Sweden, which is not yet a NATO member, but has upped its collaboration with the alliance to hitherto unseen levels." Sputnik

Ukraine’s Air Force 18 times strikes Russian manpower, equipment clusters

"Ukraine’s Air Force delivered 12 strikes targeting Russian manpower and equipment clusters, as well as six anti-aircraft missile systems." Ukrin

Intensification of Russian attacks on Lyman and Kupiansk fronts

"The Russian occupation forces have intensified their assaults on the Lyman and Kupiansk
fronts to draw the defenders' forces away from the supply route and reach the administrative border of Luhansk Oblast." Pravada

European Sky Shield Initiative

"The EU missile shield – if it is ever to be created - will most likely feature both European and US air defense components......French President Emmanuel Macron has warned against relying too much on the US in terms of creating a European air defense system. “If we first adopt a capacity-base approach, we end up massively buying what’s available on the shelves, even if it’s useless — and that generally means massive non-European purchases,” the French president added." Sputnik

Ukraine’s Offensive Runs Into Russian Defensive Wall – Ex-Estonian Spy Chief

"The defensive lines the spymaster was referring to are also known as the ‘Surovikin Line’, informally named after General Sergei Surovikin, the Russian commander tasked with commanding the Joint Group of Forces in the Special Military Operation Zone between October 2022 and January 2023....Ukraine’s NATO-armed and trained military has lost thousands of troops and hundreds of
heavy tanks and armored vehicles since kicking off its so-called counteroffensive on June 4. 

"The bulk of the fighting is taking place on the southern front,” Sachs said in an interview with Estonian television.....“The Ukrainians are yet to push deeply into Russian defensive lines. The Russians have built long defensive lines along the entire length of the front, with the fewest defensive positions in the north. Russia considers it very important to hold onto the southern part of the front, so more defensive lines have been built there. Ukraine attempted to break through the Russian defensive line in three places, but not using very energetic maneuverable units, but rather carefully with artillery fire. So I wouldn’t expect very fast or deep progress from such attacks,” Sachs said." Sputnik

Civilians wounded in Ukrainian ‘kamikaze drone’ raid

"A Ukrainian drone raid on the town of Novaya Kakhovka in Russia’s Kherson Region has
left four civilians wounded, local authorities said." RT

Air defense forces down 32 out of 35 Russian combat drones last night

"Ukraine’s air defense forces shot down 32 out of 35 Russian combat drones on the night of
June 20.

“On the night of June 20, the enemy struck the military and infrastructure facilities of Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 Iranian-made loitering munitions,” the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Telegram." Ukrin

Ukraine’s Air Force launches 15 strikes on enemy positions in past day

"The Air Force of Ukraine launched 15 strikes targeting Russian personnel clusters in the past
day. 

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched an air strike on the settlement of Kyslivka, Kharkiv region. Krasne Pershe, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kyslivka, Berestove of Kharkiv region were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar attacks. 

In the Lyman direction, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the directions of Yampolivka, Torske, Hryhorivka, Spiny and west of Dibrova of Donetsk region. The Russian forces launched an air strike on the settlements of Yampil, Bilohorivka, Siversk and Spirne. Stelmakhivka, Nevske, Bilohorivka of Luhansk region and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske and Rozdolivka of Donetsk region came under artillery fire." Ukrin

Eurozone Enters Recession

"The disastrous performance of the euro area, which fell into recession in the first quarter, is also happening while this economic region enjoys significant tailwinds: Declining energy and commodity prices have supported the euro area’s GDP, boosting the external component thanks to meaningfully lower imports. Furthermore, the euro area should benefit from the expected positive impact of the massive EU Next Generation stimulus plan." ZH

Putin's meeting with African Leaders on Ukraine conflict

"Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a delegation of African leaders in St. Petersburg.
The group traveled to Russia a day after visiting Ukraine and meeting President Vladimir Zelensky, promoting their 10-point peace roadmap designed to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, now well into its second year.

The African delegation comprised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Comoros President Othman Ghazali, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and senior officials from the Republic of Congo and Uganda. 

Ukraine broke the preliminary deal immediately after Russia withdrew its troops from Kiev Region, as had been agreed upon in Istanbul, Putin explained. "Kiev authorities, like their masters usually do, threw it all away into the graveyard of history," he added, stating that no one could guarantee that Ukraine would do the same to any new deals in the future. The Russian president also insisted that ongoing energy and food crises were not prompted by the conflict with Ukraine, but stemmed from the actions of Western powers." RT

700,000 People Without Clean Water As Fallout From Nova Kakhovka Flooding Mounts

"While much media reporting on the June 6th destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in
southern Ukraine has focused on the 'whodunnit' aspect to the explosion, many thousands of people downriver continue to suffer, after an nearly five cubic miles of water has submerged villages and farmland in the Kherson oblast. 

Basic infrastructure and utilities have been destroyed in much of the region, leaving an estimated 700,000 people in the broader area in need of clean water." ZH

Missile strike - air defence shot down 6 Kinzhals and 6 Kalibr missiles

"Ukraine's air defence destroyed 12 missiles during the Russian attack in Ukraine......6
Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles;--6 Kalibr cruise missiles." Pravada

‘Ugly’ neocolonial system is dead – Putin

"Russia has significantly boosted trade with nations who do not bow to foreign pressure, thus once again proving that the world has abandoned the old neocolonial system, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Humanity is now progressing towards a new multipolar arrangement, he added. "This means that the ugly international system, which was neocolonial in nature, has ceased to exist. Meanwhile the multipolar world order is being reinforced. And this process is inevitable." RT

Zelensky responds to Trump’s ‘peace in 24 hours’ claim

"Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s pledge to immediately end the conflict with Russia if he returns to the White House, insisting he could not make good on his promise.

“Why didn’t he do that earlier? He was president when the war was going on here,” Zelensky said, referring to the fighting that erupted in Donbass in 2014 shortly after Ukraine’s president at the time, Viktor Yanukovich, was ousted from power in Kiev. “I think he couldn’t do that. I think there are no people today in the world who could just have a word with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and end the war.” RT

Ten Ukrainian assaults repelled in single day

"Ukraine has lost hundreds of troops in a series of unsuccessful attacks on two sections of the
front line in the last 24 hours.... battles taking place near the so-called Vremevsky ledge in the southern section of the front, and west of the Russian city of Donetsk....the most intense fighting took place near the settlements of Rovnopol and Urozhaynoye." RT

Pregnant Russian Women Flood Argentina’s Immigration System

"Thousands of pregnant Russian women have traveled to Argentina to give birth to their children in the South American nation, which automatically grants Argentine citizenship to the newborn child and grants both parents an easy pathway to Argentine citizenship and passports.

Since 2022, as a result of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russian pregnant women and Russian citizens generally have flocked to Argentina, a country that, while is facing a severe economic situation under a leftist government that has allowed China to exert significant pressure on it, has historically maintained lax migrant laws and offers easy paths towards residency and citizenship to foreigners under a process that only take two years or less, depending on the case...More than 23,000 Russian citizens entered Argentina in 2022..out of which roughly 10,500 were pregnant women" Breitbart

‘For Security Reasons’: Australia Bans Russia Building New Embassy Near Parliament

"Australia’s Parliament passed legislation on Thursday to prevent Russia from building a new embassy near Parliament House citing threats of espionage and political interference, as tensions grow between Moscow and a major supporter of the Ukraine war effort." Breitbart

Several US Agencies Hit In Global Cyberattack Alongside Universities, Hospitals

"On Thursday the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency announced that "several" US federal government agencies were hit in what's being acknowledged as a global cyberattack.

The attack utilized a vulnerability in widely used software, with the agencies have "experienced intrusions affecting their MOVEit applications," according to a US government statement. “We are working urgently to understand impacts and ensure timely remediation," Eric Goldstein, a top US cybersecurity official, said.

Initial suspicion has fallen on a Russian-speaking ransomware group, known as CLOP, which has claimed responsibility for a similar ongoing hacking campaign which targeted entities ranging from BBC to British Airways to Shell oil, to schools and hospitals, as well as some US state governments in the Midwest.

As part of this, the famous Johns Hopkins University and Health System has also been deeply impacted." ZeroHedge

Ukraine deploys 3 of 12 brigades in counteroffensive

"After a week of heavy fighting, the real tests of Kyiv's counteroffensive lie ahead, with
Ukrainian troops some distance from Russia's main defensive line and the bulk of forces prepared for the push still on standby. ....so far, Ukraine has used only 3 of the 12 brigades prepared for the counteroffensive." Pravada

Ukraine Continues Offensive Attempts in 3 Directions in Past Day

"Ukraine continued offensive attempts in South Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions
in the past day The total losses of Ukrainian military in these areas [South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions] during the past day amounted to 155 military, three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, one French-made CAESAR self-propelled artillery gun, as well as D-30 and Msta-B howitzers." Sputnik

Russia reveals plans for ‘Suez Canal substitute’

"The volume of goods shipped via the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC),
touted as an alternative to the Suez Canal, could almost triple over the next seven years, Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Saveliev said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. 

The INSTC is a planned 7,200km multi-mode transit system that will connect ship, rail, and road routes for moving cargo between Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, India, and Central Asia." ZH