Himars strike destroys air defenses in Russia as Kremlin warns of ‘fatal consequences’
Ukrainian troops used US-supplied Himars missiles to destroy an advanced air defense system in Russia, as the Kremlin warned Washington it could face “fatal consequences” if it supported the cross-border attacks.
Multiple missiles reportedly hit an air defense facility in Belgorod, Russia, equipped with S-300/400 surface-to-air missiles.
Photos taken after the attack appeared to show fires raging from destroyed vehicles, with smoke billowing into the air. It appears that the strike took place on Sunday.
Earlier, Sergei Ryabkov, Moscow’s deputy foreign minister, said the United States would face “fatal consequences” if it allowed Ukraine to use American weapons for attacks. inside Russia.
Until now, the United States has allowed kyiv to hit targets in Russia only if they posed an immediate threat to Ukrainian forces. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has since requested permission to use American munitions for long-range strikes.
Follow the latest updates below
4:25 p.m. BST
Today’s live coverage is over
Today’s live coverage is over. Here is a summary of the day’s events:
Russia has banned more British “establishment figures” in the latest round of sanctions.
Footage has surfaced of a Ukrainian Himar strike in Belgorod, Russia.
China has denied pressuring countries not to attend the peace summit in Switzerland.
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, has landed in Guinea for a visit seen as an attempt to increase Russian influence in Africa.
3:55 p.m. BST
Pictured: Ukrainian Foreign Minister visits fallen soldiers memorial with Estonian counterpart
3:26 p.m. BST
In the photo: Ukrainian doctors treat a wounded soldier
3:20 p.m. BST
Russia bans more British ‘establishment figures’ in latest sanctions
Russia has added a number of British “establishment figures” to its list of people banned from entering the country.
Although the names of those sanctioned have not been published, the Russian Foreign Ministry said they included journalists, politicians and experts.
Moscow said the decision was taken because of the individuals’ “hostile” actions and urged Britain to end its support for Ukraine.
2:39 p.m. BST
Ukraine kills one after shelling civilian areas in Belgorod, Russia says
The Ukrainian army shelled several towns and villages in the Belgorod region, killing one person and injuring 13 others, according to the district governor.
“An ammunition exploded in the Korocha region, killing one person and injuring three,” Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a message on his Telegram channel.
Mr. Gladgov added that residential buildings and infrastructure were damaged during the strike.
2:05 p.m. BST
Pictured: Ukrainian veterans compete to join the Invictus Games
1:49 p.m. BST
Russian strike in Donetsk leaves two dead, including a 12-year-old boy
A double Russian strike killed two people, including a 12-year-old boy, in the village of Mykhailivka in Donetsk, the region’s governor reported.
“Tomorrow Ukraine will commemorate the Day of Remembrance of the Children Who Died due to the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and today another name was added to this sad list,” said the regional governor Vadym Filachkin.
According to Ukrainian media, the Russian military struck the city early Monday with a guided aerial bomb before repeating the strike an hour and a half later. At least five buildings were reportedly damaged.
1:35 p.m. BST
Pictured: A woman walks past an exhibition in kyiv showing destroyed Russian vehicles
12:50 BST
In the photo: destruction in Vovchansk after heavy fighting
12:48 BST
In the photo: Himars strike on the air defense system in Belgorod, Russia
11:39 BST
Russian Foreign Minister visits Guinea to strengthen Moscow’s influence in Africa
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, has arrived in Guinea as Moscow continues to try to strengthen its influence in Africa.
TASS, Russia’s official news agency, reported that Guinea would be the first stop as part of a broader African tour, but did not specify which other countries Lavrov plans to visit.
In July, Vladimir Putin invited African leaders to a summit in St. Petersburg where, he said, they agreed to promote a multipolar world.
Russia has expanded its influence in central African countries in recent years, particularly in the Sahel region, and is now reportedly turning its attention to coastal countries like Guinea.
11:14 BST
Zelensky says Trump risks being a ‘losing president’
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Donald Trump risks becoming a “losing president” if he wins the next US election and strikes a bad peace deal with Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president said he had not yet strategized on what to do if Mr. Trump takes back the White House. However, in an interview with the Guardian, he revealed that Boris Johnson had offered to approach Trump on his behalf.
If Trump wins, he should cut off or reduce his military support for kyiv.
09:46 BST
“1.5 million men” are registered with the Ukrainian conscription office
1.5 million Ukrainian men of military age have registered their personal data for possible conscription, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.
The announcement comes after a new mobilization law was enacted in May, which gives men eligible for military service 60 days to update their personal information so the military can trace it.
The ministry also reported that 14,000 Ukrainians living abroad had registered for the service.
Ukraine in April suspended consular services for Ukrainian men of military age living abroad. However, men eligible for military service can now apply for these services if they provide documentation confirming that they are registered with the military.
09:32 BST
Zelensky will attend the G7 summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the next G7 summit in Italy, his spokesperson said.
On the summit agenda is the issue of using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
Sergiy Nikiforov, the president’s spokesman, could not confirm whether Mr. Zelensky would be there in person or online, but said that “there is no doubt that he will be there.”
09:16 BST
China denies pressuring countries not to attend Switzerland peace summit
China has denied Volodymyr Zelensky’s accusation that it was acting as an “instrument” of Russia by pressuring other countries not to attend a Swiss-hosted peace summit over the war in Ukraine.
“China’s position is open and transparent, and we have absolutely no examples of pressuring other countries,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian president said that “Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, also using Chinese diplomats, is doing everything to disrupt the peace summit.”
The conference is expected to be held in Switzerland in mid-June. Swiss officials hoped China would participate, but China said it would not do so without Russia’s presence.
08:43 BST
Civilian killed in Russian missile strike in Kharkiv
An overnight Russian missile strike in Ukraine’s Kharkiv district left one person dead and two injured, the region’s governor said.
According to the official, the strike hit the town of Zmiiv, located about 42 km south of the city of Kharkiv.
Kharkiv and its surrounding areas have come under increased bombardment in recent weeks after Russia launched a new offensive in the region in early May.
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