- Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack in Russia: targets hit near St. Petersburg
- Syrskyi: Russia has concentrated over 140,000 troops in three southern front directions
- This has not happened before: Ukraine attacked 5 Russian ships with stolen grain
- “Complete chaos on the front”: Russian soldiers emboldened – sued the Ministry of Defense
Find all news about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine HERE.
“WSJ”: Putin’s inner circle flies on Western-made jets costing millions
11:10
Despite wide-ranging Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle continues to use expensive Western-made private jets.
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According to “The Wall Street Journal,” this is achieved through a wide network of intermediaries and companies operating in third countries.
Journalists focused on business jets from “Bombardier” and “Gulfstream Aerospace,” costing tens of millions of dollars, used by businessmen and officials close to the Kremlin.
Among them is Sergey Chemezov, head of the state corporation “Rostec,” a long-time associate of V. Putin since his KGB service in East Germany. According to the investigation, after the start of the war, he repeatedly used a private “Bombardier Global 7500” jet for flights to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Southeast Asian countries.
Oligarchs changed routes, but not lifestyle
Due to sanctions, the Russian elite lost the ability to freely visit traditional holiday destinations in Western Europe. However, instead of London, the French Riviera, or Swiss resorts, they reoriented to Dubai, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and other countries not adhering to the sanctions regime.
According to the publication, businessmen Arkady Rotenberg and Igor Kesaev, who are subject to US and European Union sanctions, also use similar schemes.
Russia intensifies pressure on the front: over 140,000 troops concentrated in three directions
12:27
Russian forces continue to strengthen their groupings in the Oleksandrivka, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv directions. This was announced on “Facebook” by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
According to him, during the visit, military units and subdivisions carrying out combat tasks in the hottest sectors of the Southern operational zone front were visited.
“The enemy continues to increase its efforts. In the Oleksandrivka direction alone, the Russian grouping consists of over 71,000 troops. Approximately the same number of troops are concentrated in the Huliaipole and Orikhiv directions. The situation remains dynamic – both Russian and Ukrainian defense forces are actively conducting combat operations,” said O. Syrskyi.
O. Syrskyi also supported the commanders’ proposals for more active actions in certain front sectors and decided to additionally supply units with equipment and ammunition.
“I specifically emphasized that the most important priority in conducting combat operations remains the preservation of the lives of Ukrainian soldiers,” he noted.
Russian occupiers attacked Zaporizhzhia with drones: there are casualties
09:12
UNIAN reports that Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia with drones: two people were killed, and there are injured.
“The Russians launched drones at the regional center. Critical and industrial infrastructure objects were damaged due to enemy attacks. After the strike, two employees of one object could not be contacted,” reported Zaporizhzhia Oblast official Ivan Fedorov.
Later, I. Fedorov clarified that both men had died.
According to the official, five people were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast due to Russian shelling over the past day.
He also stated that over the past day, Russian forces carried out 946 strikes on 55 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
“116 reports of damage to infrastructure objects, residential buildings, and cars were received,” I. Fedorov added.
According to updated data, the number of casualties in Zaporizhzhia after the Russian attack has risen to five.
Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack in Russia: targets hit near St. Petersburg
08:45
“The Kyiv Independent” reports that the Ukrainian military launched large-scale attacks in various Russian regions on the night of June 6, striking several targets, including the historic port city of Kronstadt near St. Petersburg.
The attack reportedly took place on the last day of the annual economic forum – the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is held in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hometown. At the time, increasing attention is being paid to the security of major Russian cities.
Local residents reported seeing smoke clouds over the area near the Kronstadt Marine Plant – a Russian naval shipyard located approximately 30 kilometers from St. Petersburg. This was reported by Russian “Telegram” channels.
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The exact location of the strike is not yet clear. Photos and videos posted on social media allegedly show drones flying over the city before the attack.
The latest strike on the region occurred just a few days after Ukrainian forces attacked the St. Petersburg oil terminal in the Leningrad region in the early hours of June 3. This attack took place as foreign delegations gathered for the economic forum.
Other Russian regions were also reportedly attacked during the night, mainly objects related to oil infrastructure.
Videos posted on social media allegedly show a fire at an oil storage facility in the city of Ust-Labinsk in the Krasnodar Krai. A strike on port infrastructure in occupied Mariupol was also reported, where thick black smoke rose over the port.
Smoke was also seen over an object in the settlement of Lebyazhye in the Leningrad region, but it is not yet clear what exactly was targeted.
During the night, air raid alerts were declared in various western Russian regions and Russian-occupied territories due to detected Ukrainian drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it had shot down 376 drones.
“Not just for Putin”: explained who else Zelenskyy addressed his letter to
08:15
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s open letter, proposing personal peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, was not only addressed to Vladimir Putin. As “Reuters” writes, it also aimed to convey a message to the participants of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum and the international community.
The agency reminds that the letter was published at a time when V. Putin was communicating with foreign media representatives at Russia’s main business event. On the same day, Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, and smoke clouds were seen in the sky near the forum venue.
According to a Ukrainian official familiar with the letter’s preparation, Kyiv believes that part of the Russian elite – officials, businessmen, and Russia’s partners – seeks an end to the conflict, as the war is hindering Russia’s economy, valued at approximately 3 trillion dollars.
“This luxurious meeting showed that different views on the war, which has been ongoing for four years, exist in Russia,” the publication states.
Some forum participants stated that Russia must continue the fight and prepare for a long-term confrontation with the West, while others emphasized the economic benefits that an end to the war would bring.
“Reuters” notes that Zelenskyy has been calling for a ceasefire and offering to meet with V. Putin for several months, but the Kremlin leader rejects such proposals. This happened again this time.
A Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that V. Zelenskyy is serious about resuming negotiations.
Dmytro Yarovyi, an associate professor at the Kyiv School of Economics specializing in political psychology, stated that the drone strike and the “demonstrative” letter were a coordinated effort to shape the forum’s agenda.
In his opinion, the letter aimed to show the Russian public and Western governments, especially US President Donald Trump, that Ukraine’s latest strikes on Russian territory and territorial gains have strengthened Kyiv’s position in potential negotiations.
“Trump constantly repeats that Ukraine has no trump cards. But now Ukraine demonstrates that its positions are stronger,” said former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker.
The article states that US-backed peace talks are currently at a stalemate, as both sides maintain their positions.
V. Putin told editors of foreign publications that the conditions under which the conflict could be ended had already been discussed during talks with D. Trump. According to “Reuters,” this most likely refers to Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede the rest of Donbas.
However, the publication notes that V. Zelenskyy is currently less inclined than ever to yield to pressure regarding territorial concessions. In his letter, he emphasized that while he appreciates US involvement, Ukraine’s future will not be decided outside Ukraine – it will be decided by Ukraine itself, together with Russia.
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