Germany steps up aid after Russia's unprecedented attacks | Ukraine This Week

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Germany steps up aid after Russia's unprecedented attacks | Ukraine This Week.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down the top stories of the week, from Germany’s increased military aid to last weekend’s unprecedented attacks on Ukraine.

'Russian bombers are burning en masse' — Ukraine's SBU drones hit 'more than 40' aircraft in mass attack, source claims.

"Currently, more than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3," a source told the Kyiv Independent.

12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center

A statement on the attack did not identify the location of the training grounds, nor the specific type of missile used by Russia.

UK wants nuclear-armed US fighter jets to counter Russian threat, Times reports

The British military is looking at F-35A Lightning stealth fighter jets, made by Lockheed Martin.

Russian soldiers surrendered because 'abuse in units is worse than captivity,' Ukrainian paratroopers say.

Russia's abuse of its own soldiers has been well documented throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian military freight train blown up en route to Crimea, Ukraine's HUR claims.

"The Muscovites' key logistical artery on the occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Crimea has been destroyed," HUR's statement said.

Mass casualties after Russian train derailment and bridge collapse in Bryansk Oblast, officials say.

At least seven people are dead and another 69 injured after a train derailed in Russia's Bryansk Oblast overnight on May 31, following the collapse of an overhead road bridge, Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

General Staff: Russia has lost 987,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The number includes 1,230 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast injure 7 people, damage critical infrastructure.

Russia launched a series of attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on May 31-June 1, injuring 7 people and damaging homes and critical infrastructure, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway in Russia-occupied Donetsk Oblast, group claims.

The Atesh partisan group allegedly sabotaged the recently-constructed Volnovakha-Mariupol railway in occupied Donetsk Oblast, disrupting Russian logistics, the group claimed in a Telegram post on June 1.

Using Russian assets for Ukraine aid needs 'closer look,' German official says.

Top German official Thorsten Frei said in an interview with German media on May 31 that the EU should reconsider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, urging a tougher stance against the Kremlin.

'Serious setback' for democracy — EU condemns Russia-style foreign agents law in Georgia.

The EU condemned Georgia's foreign agents law, which officially came into effect, and called on authorities to reverse the country's democratic backsliding in a statement published on May 31.

No clarity on Russia’s agenda ahead of Ukraine peace talks, Zelensky says.

Ukraine and its partners are still waiting to see what, if anything, Russia plans to present at the upcoming peace talks in Turkey scheduled for June 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia-linked disinfo campaign stokes anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland before June 1 vote, investigation finds.

Russia-aligned actors are amplifying anti-Ukrainian sentiment through coordinated campaigns across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, and Telegram, according to a new investigation by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Pompeo urges Trump not to legitimize Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine.

Former U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo acknowledged frustrations over the current front lines but cautioned against ceding Ukrainian land to Russia.

OPEC+ extends oil output surge despite Russian pushback, Bloomberg reports.

OPEC+ will boost oil production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, marking the third consecutive monthly increase and reinforcing a major strategic shift that has driven crude prices to a four-year low.

European leaders shift focus to defending Ukraine without US support, the Telegraph reports.

According to the Telegraph, senior European diplomats meeting in The Hague agreed to shift their focus from deploying troops to enforce a ceasefire to preparing long-term strategies for supporting Ukraine without American backing.

Russia steps up offensives in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy oblasts, Syrskyi says.

While Russia's main efforts remain concentrated on the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman fronts in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast bordering Russia, Zaporizhzhia has seen an uptick in escalation, Syrskyi noted.

NATO officials reject Russian demand to halt expansion, media reports.

According to NATO sources cited by Radio Liberty, the written pledge Moscow demands is unrealistic. "It’s not something they (Russia) can just get," one diplomat said.

UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports.

Alongside Russia, the review identifies China as a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," noting Beijing's growing ties with Moscow and its role in supplying critical components for Russian weapons systems.

Ukraine orders mandatory evacuation from 11 additional villages in Sumy Oblast amid Russian troop buildup.

"(Russia) continues its terror of the borderlands, and our shared task is to save every life," Governor Oleh Hryhorov said in a statement. "I urge residents not to delay the decision to evacuate. Staying in a zone of constant danger is a direct threat to your life and health."

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 10, injure 32 over past day.

Ukrainian defenses shot down 69 drones and three Kh-59/69 guided missiles using aviation units, air defense systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire teams.