102 combat engagements took place

"Since the beginning of the yesterday, 102 combat engagements have taken place at the front, with fighting currently taking place in four areas. Ukrainian troops are depleting the enemy's offensive potential along the entire frontline and in the rear with fire. Over the last day, the Air Force, missile troops and artillery struck 14 areas where occupants' manpower was concentrated. Seven combat engagements with Russian invaders took place in the

Kharkiv sector. Four attacks were repelled near the village of Lyptsi and the town of Vovchansk. Fighting is ongoing in the latter, and the enemy's attack near the village of Starytsia continues. The situation is under control. The enemy suffered 79 casualties in the area over the last day. Ukrainian troops destroyed an artillery system, 12 UAVs, 10 vehicles and a unit of special equipment. In addition, three ammunition depots and eight enemy hideouts were destroyed today.
In the Kupyansk sector, the enemy attempted 13 times to force Ukrainian units from their positions. The fighting took place in the areas of Sinkivka, Petropavlivka, Novoyehorivka, Druzhelyubivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Andriivka and Nevske. No positions were lost. At present, fighting continues in four locations near Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Druzhelyubivka and Nevske.
In the Lyman sector, five enemy attempts to advance were repelled in the areas of Terny, Torske and Serebryansky forest. Fighting continues in the area of Terny. The enemy is not successful. The situation is under control. In the Pokrovske sector, Russian occupants continued their attempts to break into our defenses from the area of Ocheretyne over the last day - nine attacks were repelled, and another is ongoing. Fighting also continues near Sokol, Nevelske and Novoselivka Persha. In total, 23 combat engagements took place in the sector. Our defenders are taking active measures to stabilize the situation." Ukrin

Saudi Textbooks Remove Palestine From Most Maps, Amid Push To Normalize With Israel

"Saudi textbooks have removed the name “Palestine” from most maps where it previously

appeared, a study by an Israeli think-tank said. The study, conducted by the NGO Impact-se, tracks changes in Saudi school textbooks over the past five years, as reflected in the 2023-24 academic year. A reference to Israel as “the Zionist entity” in the 2021 social studies textbook for grades 10-12 was removed in the 2022 edition, and the entire textbook that included a lesson on Arab and Saudi support for the Palestinian cause was discontinued in 2023. The report also documented some alterations in textbooks that now refer to Israel in a less hostile tone." ZH

Explosions rock Kerch, Russians claim damage to ferries

"Russian local Telegram channels have reported explosions in Kerch, occupied Crimea, that occurred on the night of 29-30 May, and later the Russians reported damage to local ferries. At 01:30, the Russians announced the resumption of traffic on the Crimean Bridge.

Later, it was reported that about 20 explosions were heard in Kerch." MS

Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike on occupied Crimea using U.S.-supplied missiles

"Ukrainian forces allegedly launched a missile strike on occupied Crimea using U.S.-supplied

missiles, targeting a radar station used by Russian troops.
The attack, reportedly involving ATACMS ballistic missiles, aimed at a communication center housing a key antenna for the Russian army's space observation station. Multiple explosions were reported in Simferopol, near Belbek airfield, and Novofedorivka—critical sites for the Russian military." MS

Putin Threatens West's 'Dense Populations' In 'Small Land Masses' In Response To NATO Escalation

"More and more European officials and NATO countries are on board with allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory. Russian President

Vladimir Putin on Tuesday issued one of his more dire warnings yet, putting Europe on notice by commenting on their possessing small land areas and dense populations. The veiled threat is very ominous especially in light of the fact that Russia just wrapped up tactical nuclear drills near Ukraine...Putin told reporters gathered in Tashkent during an official visit to the central Asian country of Uzbekistan, which is a former Soviet Republic, "Constant escalation can lead to serious consequences."
He also hinted at the prospect of nuclear war in posing: "If these serious consequences occur in Europe, how will the United States behave, bearing in mind our parity in the field of strategic weapons?" "It's hard to say - do they want a global conflict?" Putin questioned, warning that Ukraine hitting Russian territory with externally supplied long-range weapons would make the West directly involved in the conflict." ZH

Russian Forces Rescue Chadian Soldiers From Militant Captivity in Joint Operation

"The Chadian Defense Minister thanked Russia for its role, emphasizing its reliability as an African partner unlike France, the UK, and the US, which he claimed solely sought to exploit African nations.

Russian soldiers successfully liberated 21 Chadian soldiers who had been held captive by illegal armed groups for nine months in a joint operation with colleagues from the Republic of Chad, the Russian Defense Ministery said.
"In Central Africa, Russian military personnel conducted a joint operation with colleagues of the Republic of Chad to liberate Chadian soldiers from captivity of militants of illegal armed groups," the statement said.
The soldiers had been captured by Islamic militants during a mine-clearing operation at an airport in the Tibesti region. They were held in inhumane conditions and tortured while held at the camp." Sputnik

76 combat engagements on front, Pokrovsk remains hottest sector

"The number of combat engagements on the front has increased to 76, with the Pokrovsk

sector remaining the hottest along the entire front line. The Russian army continues to destroy Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, by striking it with guided aerial bombs. Since the beginning of the day, the invaders have dropped six aerial guided bombs on the city.
In this sector of the front, the Ukrainian defenders are strengthening their defenses and repelling enemy attacks.
In the Kupiansk sector, there were 14 combat clashes. Ten attempts by the Russian army to advance have already been repelled. Fighting is currently ongoing in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka and Nevske." Ukrin

Is Russia Preparing To Strategically Partner With The Taliban?

"The Taliban remain international outcasts due to their refusal to implement a truly ethno-politically inclusive government per their prior promises as well as their treatment of women.

Although no tangible progress has been made on either of those two very sensitive issues, economic and security interests pushed regional stakeholders to enter into de facto relations with this group for pragmatic reasons. As can be seen, Russia’s previous threat perception of the Taliban has disappeared, and it now considers the group to be a regional security provider with respect to containing ISIS-K. Moreover, Afghanistan’s location enables it to facilitate Russian trade with Pakistan, both commercial and energy. These interests have combined to inspire Russia to more openly embrace this group, which comes ahead of next month’s investment forum and October’s BRICS Summit. Here are some detailed background briefings: Basically, Russia sees Afghanistan as an indispensable part of its larger geostrategic reorientation to Muslim-majority countries, while the Taliban believes that Russia can help their country preemptively avert potentially disproportionate dependence on China and especially Pakistan. They also have shared economic interests with respect to facilitating trade between Russia-Central Asia and South Asia via Afghanistan from which that transit country can profit accordingly to help rebuild its economy.
Something big is obviously in the works between them judging by the timing of Russia’s deliberations on removing the Taliban from its terrorist list just before next week’s St. Petersburg International Investment Forum. In all likelihood, not only does Russia expect to make progress on its reportedly planned Afghan oil hub, but there might even be an update about President Putin’s envisaged delivery of Russian pipeline gas to Pakistan through Afghanistan that he mentioned only once in September 2022." ZeroHedge

Nearly 80 attacks on front lines today, fierce fighting ongoing in Pokrovsk sector

"Nearly 80 attacks have occurred on the front lines since the beginning of the day, with intense fighting ongoing in the Pokrovsk sector.
The Russian military is conducting air strikes in the northern Kharkiv region using guided

aerial bombs. Today the enemy has already conducted at least 25 strikes with guided aerial bombs. In particular, two such bombs were used to attack Kharkiv itself.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian troops tried to break through Ukrainian defenses nine times but suffered significant losses - about ten Russian soldiers were killed and fifty more were wounded. Among the destroyed weapons of the Russian army was a modern EW station Serp-VS5. Two enemy cannons were damaged.
In the Siversk sector, the number of Russian assaults increased to six, and in the Kramatorsk sector - to eight. The Russian army continues to increase pressure on Chasiv Yar and its surroundings.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian troops have repelled 21 enemy attacks since the beginning of the day. "It is not easy for Ukrainian defenders, but the situation is under control," the General Staff added.
In the Vremivka sector, the Russian army continues attacks using aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. Nine enemy assaults were repelled near the settlements of Staromaiorske and Urozhaine. The Russians also launched air strikes against these villages." Ukrin

Ukraine Strike on Nuclear Site Raises Alarm

"The alarm has been raised in the West following a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian radar

facility in Krasnodar, which is used for tracking nuclear missiles. This site also forms part of Russia’s nuclear warning system, a critical component of its national defense. The strike has sparked criticism from experts, who question the wisdom of targeting nuclear infrastructure amid heightened tensions. Hans Kristensen, a nuclear arsenal expert, expressed that it was “not a wise decision on the part of Ukraine,” noting the distinction between hitting military sites used for direct assaults and those pivotal for nuclear deterrence." MS

Zelensky arrives in Spain

"President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Spain for a visit..... the program of the visit includes meetings with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI of Spain." Ukrin

Ukrainian border guards destroy Russian ammunition depot in Bakhmut sector

"The pilots of Vampire strike UAVs of the Phoenix border guard unit have destroyed a Russian ammunition depot and hit the positions and shelters of the invaders in the Bakhmut sector." Ukrin

95 combat engagements in frontline over past day

"Since the beginning of the last day, 95 combat engagements took place in the frontline. The situation in the Kupianske and Pokrovske sectors remains the most intense. "The Russian aggressor is trying to use its superiority in manpower and equipment and air support. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting back, and in some areas they are conducting effective assault operations to improve the stability of defense and restore positions. This day, the Air Force, missile troops and artillery struck 16 areas of concentration of occupants' manpower," the statement said." Ukrin

Two drones crash into Russian oil depot in Oryol region

"Two drones crashed into the territory of an oil depot in the city of Livny, Oryol region, Russia." MS

Baltic officials said they could send troops to Ukraine without waiting for NATO if Russia scores a breakthrough

"MPs for the Baltic States have been warning German officials that they might send troops to Ukraine.Their condition would be if Russia achieves a breakthrough in Ukraine, Der Spiegel reported.

They issued the warning as part of an argument for Germany to support Ukraine more aggressively, per the outlet." MS