German heavy weapons “finally” arrive in Ukraine
Long-range weapons from Germany have arrived in Ukraine for the first time, announced the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the last shipment of heavy weapons that Kyiv has urgently requested.
“The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is finally part of the 155 mm howitzer arsenal of Ukrainian artillery,” tweeted Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, adding: “I am very grateful for the efforts of my col #DefMin Legacy Christine Lambrecht “, referring to the German Minister of Defense. Reznikov also thanked the Netherlands, which sent German weapons.
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by German manufacturers Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall, and is considered one of the most powerful artillery systems used by the Western military today.
Germany has been criticized for being slow to help Ukraine with offensive weapons. Russia’s war in Ukraine is the first time the German government has sent lethal weapons to a conflict zone since World War II.
– Natasha Turak
Moscow promises a response to Lithuania’s blockade of sanctions on Kaliningrad in Russia
Russia has warned that it will respond to Lithuania’s blockade of certain assets in its Kaliningrad enclave, calling the measure “openly hostile”.
Last week, Lithuania, which shares a border with Russia and where the small Russian enclave of Kaliningrad is located, announced that it would block the entry of all EU-sanctioned goods from mainland Russia by rail. This includes metals, coal, building materials and high-tech products.
“If in the near future the transit of goods between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation through Lithuania is not completely restored, Russia reserves the right to take measures to protect its national interests,” he said. say the Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
Lithuania has said that its decision was taken after consulting the European Commission and that it is carrying out EU sanctions.
– Natasha Turak
Second American citizen killed in a fight in Ukraine, according to the State Department
A Ukrainian soldier enters a barn destroyed by a Russian bombing near the front line of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. The harvest can not be collected in the area because of the constant fighting between the Russian and Ukrainian armies in the fields.
Celestino Arce | Nurfoto | Getty Images
The State Department confirmed the death of American citizen Stephen Zabielski in Ukraine. Zabielski, 52, of Hernando, Florida, was killed on May 15 while fighting in the village of Dorozhniank, according to his obituary.
“We have been in contact with the family and provided all possible consular assistance. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing else,” a State Department spokesman wrote in a statement to NBC News.
The spokesman reiterated that the Biden administration has asked US citizens not to travel to Ukraine because of the ongoing conflict.
“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should leave immediately if it is safe to do so using any available commercial or private ground transportation options,” the spokesman added.
– Amanda Macias
U.S. Attorney General Garland visits Ukraine on an unannounced trip
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers an opening speech on criminal weapons intelligence during the Police Executive Forum at the headquarters of the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) of the United States in Washington, DC, USA, May 5, 2022.
Michael Reynolds | Reuters
Attorney General Merrick Garland will visit Ukraine and meet with Attorney General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova this morning.
The high-profile unannounced trip will give Garland the opportunity to “discuss U.S. and international efforts to help Ukraine identify, detain and prosecute those individuals involved in war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine,” he said. Justice Department spokesman on NBC News.
Garland is also expected to meet with reporters and make brief comments alongside Venediktova.
– Amanda Macias
The UN says at least 4,597 people have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war
The villains pay their respects to the coffin of the murdered Ukrainian military man Roman Ratushny during a farewell ceremony in Kyiv on June 18, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Genia Savilov | AFP | Getty Images
The United Nations has confirmed 4,597 civilian deaths and 5,711 wounded in Ukraine since Russia invaded its former Soviet counterpart on February 24.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the death toll in Ukraine is likely to be higher, as armed conflict could delay reports of fatalities.
The international organization said most of the recorded civilian casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide range of impact, including heavy artillery bombardment and multiple rocket launch systems, as well as missiles. and airstrikes.
– Amanda Macias
Russia is pressuring Europe to cut its natural gas supply
The EU partial embargo covers Russian oil introduced into the bloc by sea, with an exemption for imports delivered by pipeline following Hungary’s opposition.
Attila Kisbenedek | Afp | Getty Images
Russia has reduced the flow of natural gas to Europe to an extent that European leaders called a clear attempt to counterattack Western countries for their support of Ukraine.
On Friday, Russia halved natural gas deliveries to Italy and Slovakia and completely cut off France, marking the third consecutive day of gas cuts in a growing economic showdown between Moscow and the West. Moscow had previously cut off all natural gas flows in Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union joined the United States in imposing drastic financial sanctions on Russia. But European governments have prepared for economic retaliation from the Kremlin, and officials described the narrowing of this week’s natural gas supply as a Moscow effort to exert political pressure and raise energy prices.
Russia has blamed the cut on maintenance and repair problems, saying the equipment they needed could not be reached due to Western sanctions.
Read more about the potential energy crisis here.
– NBC News and Associated Press
Russian journalist auctiones Nobel Peace Prize for $ 103.5 million in Ukrainian profits
Dmitry Muratov, Russia’s chief editor of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, on Monday auctioned off his $ 103.5 million Nobel Peace Prize gold medal for children displaced by the war in Ukraine . The medal was sold to an unidentified telephone bidder for sale in New York organized by Heritage Auctions.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, holds a copy of his document after the end of the tender during a charity auction at the Times Center on June 20, 2022 in the city of New York.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
A woman holds the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize medal from Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in New York on June 20, 2022.
Kena Betancur | AFP | Getty Images
Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov (2L) reacts on stage to a $ 103.5 million bid to buy his 2021 Nobel Peace Prize medal in New York on June 20, 2022. Dmitry Muratov, Russian editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta auctioned his Nobel Peace Prize gold medal on Monday for a whopping $ 103.5 million for children displaced by the war in Ukraine. The medal was sold to an unidentified telephone bidder for sale in New York organized by Heritage Auctions.
Kena Betancur | AFP | Getty Images
The United Kingdom will impose more sanctions on Russia: the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
The United Kingdom will continue to impose more sanctions on Russia to increase pressure on it, said Foreign Minister Liz Truss.
“We are determined to provide more weapons, impose more sanctions and support Ukraine in expelling Russia from its territory,” Truss said in a statement to the UK Parliament.
UK sanctions on Russia have targeted various sectors, people and industries since Moscow made the decision to invade Ukraine in late February.
So far, however, Russia’s current account remains in a good surplus and its currency is considered one of the best performing this year thanks to high oil and gas prices and the billions it earns weekly by selling. energy to customers, mainly in the EU.
– Natasha Turak
Russia says the death penalty cannot be ruled out for Americans captured in Ukraine
There is growing concern about the fate of two U.S. Army veterans captured in Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Moscow did not guarantee that they would not face the death penalty.
“It depends on the investigation,” Dmitry Peskov told NBC News senior international correspondent Keir Simmons when asked if Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh “would face the same fate” as two convicted British and Moroccan nationals. to death in a professional process. -The Russian separatist “court” (widely seen as a kangaroo court) in eastern Ukraine this month.
“Holly Ellyatt.”
Russia has blocked the website of the British newspaper Telegraph
The website of the UK’s Telegraph has been blocked in Russia, Reuters reported, following a decision by the country’s attorney general.
State communications regulator Roskomnadzor said online access to the British newspaper had been cut off due to the dissemination of “inaccurate information about the special military operation carried out by the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine” , according to state news agency TASS.
Moscow still calls its war in Ukraine a “special military operation” and has harshly repressed independent reports and criticism. He has blocked the websites of various foreign media outlets which he accuses of publishing “false news” about the conflict.
Several Western countries have similarly stopped the ability of the Russian state media to broadcast in their jurisdictions. The Russian government …