Russian forces were attempting to extend and consolidate their hold on Ukraine’s industrial city of Sievierodonetsk on June 2, edging closer to claiming a big prize in their offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
Meanwhile, Sweden announced additional aid of one billion kronor ($102 million, 95 million euros) to Ukraine, consisting of both financial aid and military equipment including anti-ship missiles and anti-tank launchers.
Read more news on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis here.
Moscow
Kremlin says ‘certain results achieved’ by day 100 in Ukraine
The Kremlin said Friday that Russia had achieved some results from its military campaign in Ukraine, 100 days after Moscow sent troops into its pro-Western neighbour.
“Certain results have been achieved,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, pointing to the “liberation” of some areas from what he called the “pro-Nazi armed forces of Ukraine”.
Kyiv
Zelensky says ‘victory will be ours’ on day 100 of Russian invasion
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday his country’s military would fend off the Russian invasion in a video marking 100 days of Moscow’s all-out assault on its pro-democracy neighbour.
“Victory will be ours,” Zelensky said in a video that included Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and presidential advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak, recalling an impromptu message they posted outside government buildings at the onset of the war vowing to remain in the country. — AFP
Kyiv
Deadly secret: Electronic warfare shapes Russia-Ukraine war
On Ukraine’s battlefields, the simple act of powering up a cellphone can beckon a rain of deathly skyfall. Artillery radar and remote controls for unmanned aerial vehicles may also invite fiery shrapnel showers.
This is electronic warfare, a critical but largely invisible aspect of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Military commanders largely shun discussing it, fearing they’ll jeopardize operations by revealing secrets.
Electronic warfare technology targets communications, navigation and guidance systems to locate, blind and deceive the enemy and direct lethal blows. It is used against artillery, fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones and more. Militaries also use it to protect their forces.
It’s an area where Russia was thought to have a clear advantage going into the war. Yet, for reasons not entirely clear, its much-touted electronic warfare prowess was barely seen in the war’s early stages in the chaotic failure to seize the Ukrainian capitol of Kyiv. — AP
KYIV
Ukraine war will have no winner, UN says on 100th day of fight
The United Nations said on June 3 there would be no victor from Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine as the conflict entered its 100th day and Moscow’s forces pressed deeper into the eastern Donbas region.
“This war has and will have no winner. Rather, we have witnessed for 100 days what is lost: lives, homes, jobs and prospects,” Amin Awad, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement. – AFP
KYIV
‘Ukraine has no plans to attack Russia with U.S. missiles’
Ukraine does not plan to use multiple-launch rocket systems it receives from the United States to attack facilities in Russia, a Ukrainian presidential advisor said on Friday.
“Ukraine is waging a defensive war and does not plan to use the MLRS to attack facilities in Russia,” Mykhailo Podolyak said in a Twitter post. “Our partners know where their weapons are used.” – Reuters
LONDON
UK says on 100th day of Ukraine invasion Russia misses objectives
Britain’s Defence Ministry said that on the 100th day of Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine that Moscow failed to achieve its initial objectives to seize Kyiv and Ukrainian centres of government but was achieving tactical success in the Donbas.
“Measured against Russia‘s original plan, none of the strategic objectives have been achieved,” Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update, but it said it was achieving tactical success in the eastern region of the Donbas and was controlling more than 90% of Luhansk Oblast. – Reuters
BELGRADE
As EU squeezes Russia, Serbia embraces old ally
While the European Union scrambles to isolate Russia and reduce energy imports from the country, EU candidate Serbia is tightening its bond with Moscow through a new gas supply deal.
Belgrade has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations, but it has refused to take part in sanctions against its old ally, even though Serbia aims to join the EU. – AFP
MOSCOW
Russian Pacific fleet begins week-long exercises with more than 40 vessels
Russia‘s Pacific Fleet launched a week-long series of exercises with more than 40 ships and up to 20 aircraft taking part, Russian news agencies quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.
The Ministry statement said the exercises, taking place from June 3-10, would involve, among other matters, “groups of ships together with naval aviation taking part in search operations for (enemy) submarines”. – Reuters
UNITED NATIONS
U.S. to hold Russia accountable for crimes
The United States and its allies are vowing to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed by its forces since they invaded Ukraine on February 24.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Thursday on strengthening accountability and justice for serious violations of international law that in nearly 100 days the world has seen Russian forces bomb maternity hospitals, train stations, apartment buildings, and homes and even kill civilians cycling down the street. – AP
WASHINGTON
U.S. adds Russian airplane factories to economic blacklist
The United States on Thursday added 71 Russian and Belarusian entities to its trade blacklist including several aircraft factories and shipbuilding and research institutes in its latest effort to deprive the Russian military of U.S. technology and other items.
The export restrictions are among a raft of new sanctions Washington imposed on Thursday in response to Russia‘s war in Ukraine, including prohibitions on additional Russian oligarchs and members of the country’s elite. – Reuters
LVIV
Zelensky expects more weapons as battle for Ukraine’s east rages
Ukraine expects to receive more weapons from allies after a fresh U.S. pledge, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as the battle for Ukraine‘s east raged 100 days into Russia‘s invasion.
Moscow’s forces now occupy about 20% of Ukraine‘s territory, according to Mr. Zelensky. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces are focusing on the industrial Donbas region, comprised of Luhansk and Donetsk, in the hope of a high-profile victory.- Reuters
KYIV
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the fighting is brutal in the eastern Donbas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fighting was brutal in the eastern Donbas but there has been “some progress” in the city of Sievierodonetsk, where Russian forces have been tightening their grip. He said it was too early to give specifics. – AP