Russia is once again attacking the Ukrainian Orthodox Sviatohirsk Lavra
Ukrainian officials say Russia has bombed a temple in the Sviatohirsk Lavra monastery in Ukraine, a sacred site along the Donets River that has housed fleeing civilians since the war began in February.
The site is a “national architectural monument”, according to the Institute of Ukraine. Russia also launched attacks in March and May.
Videos circulating on social media showed the building on fire. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church said it did not yet have information on whether there were any victims.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that 113 churches in the country had been the target of Russian bombing since the invasion began, and called on Russian church leaders to make “a clear condemnation of each of those who tolerate aggression. “
“Russia is deliberately and systematically destroying Ukraine’s cultural and historical heritage, as well as social infrastructure, housing and everything necessary for normal living,” Zelenskyy said.
“Emma Newburger.”
Russian airstrikes reportedly affected train repair facilities in Kyiv
Russian airstrikes have reportedly destroyed a train repair facility in Kyiv this morning, an attack that comes as Ukraine struggles to export large volumes of grain to prevent global food shortages and mitigate the rise of prices.
Simon Shuster, a Time journalist, posted tweets with photos of the damage, noting that a grain car plant was “shattered without repair.”
Russia claimed that the airstrike had destroyed tanks donated from abroad. But Alexander Kamyshin, the head of the Ukrainian railways, claimed that the Russians aimed at the train repair factory.
“We have no military machinery in our factory,” Kamyshin wrote in a tweet. “Only freight cars that help us export grain and iron ore.”
Some of Ukraine’s major export infrastructure, including railway stations, bridges and warehouses, have been attacked and damaged by Russian attacks. The attacks have hampered grain supplies to Ukraine, prompting fears of famine in grain-dependent areas such as the Middle East and Africa.
“Emma Newburger.”
The Ukrainians face the ruins at Druzhkivka
New photographs show people picking up their belongings after their homes were hit by a missile attack in Druzhkivka, a town in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.
An elderly woman, with a cat on her shoulder, tries to clear her garden of rubble after a missile attack that killed an elderly woman in the town of Droujkivka in the Donbas region, in the eastern Ukraine on June 5, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
A woman sits in a chair in front of a house destroyed after a missile attack, which killed an elderly woman in the town of Druzhkivka (also spelled Druzhkovka) in the Donbas region, east of Ukraine, June 5, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
A man sits and smokes a cigarette in front of his destroyed house after a missile attack, which killed an elderly woman, in the town of Druzhkivka (also spelled Druzhkovka) in the eastern Donbas region. of Ukraine, June 5, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
People pick up personal belongings from their house destroyed after a missile attack, which killed an elderly woman, in the town of Druzhkivka (also spelled Druzhkovka) in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 5, 2022 .
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
People clean up the rubble of their destroyed house after a missile attack, which killed an elderly woman, in the town of Druzhkivka (also spelled Druzhkovka) in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the June 5, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
Spain will deliver anti-aircraft missiles and tanks to Ukraine, reports El País
Spain must supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft missiles and Leopard battle tanks in an increase in its military support to the country, according to government sources quoted on Sunday by the newspaper El País.
Spain will also provide essential training to the Ukrainian military on how to use the tanks. It would take place in Latvia, where the Spanish army has deployed 500 troops as part of NATO’s Enhanced Advanced Presence operation.
A second phase of training could be done in Spain, according to sources quoted by El País.
The newspaper says that the Spanish Ministry of Defense is finalizing the delivery of low-level Shorad Aspide anti-aircraft missiles to Kyiv, which the Spanish army has replaced with a more advanced system.
– Reuters
Putin warns the West not to send long-range missiles, it will attack harder
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session of the First Eurasian Economic Forum in Bishkek, via a video link from Moscow, Russia, on May 26, 2022.
Mikhail Metzel Sputnik | Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a widespread warning to the West that his army will attack new targets if the United States begins supplying longer-range missiles to Ukraine, TASS news agency reported.
Putin said in an interview with Russia-1 television that if these weapons are provided, “We will draw the relevant conclusions and take our own means of attack, which, for the purpose of hitting objects that we have not been hitting. “So far, we have had enough.”
Putin did not explain what targets he would try to attack.
Ukrainian officials have been calling on the West for weeks to send advanced and long-range rocket systems to help them in the war. Washington officials have had to weigh the benefits of sending weapons at the risk of causing Putin to commit more atrocities.
President Joe Biden said in a New York Times opinion piece last Thursday that the United States would provide Ukraine with more advanced rocket and ammunition systems.
– Jessica Bursztynsky
The eastern city of Severodonetsk was divided between Ukrainian and Russian control, according to the official
Luhansk RMA chief Serhii Haidai said the eastern city of Severodonetsk is now divided between Russian and Ukrainian control, according to an NBC News translation.
Smoke and dirt rise in the city of Severodonetsk during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 2, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
This indicates gains for Ukrainian forces, as the city was controlled by about 70% by the Russians two days ago, the official said. Haidai also said Russian occupiers lost a large number of personnel and eight Russians were taken prisoner.
CNBC could not immediately confirm the report. The situation on the ground in Ukraine is changing rapidly.
In his nightly speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “The situation in Severodonetsk, where street fighting continues, is still extremely difficult.”
– Christine Wang
Several explosions affected the capital of Ukraine Kyiv, says the mayor
Several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, after the missile attacks on the infrastructure, said the mayor of the city, according to a translation of NBC News.
Mayor Vitaliy Klychko said a person had been sent to hospital and services were already working at the affected sites.
The mayor of another city in the region, Brovary, also urged residents to stay calm and in safe places following reports of enemy fire in the area.
CNBC could not confirm the report. Military developments on the ground remain difficult to confirm in a rapidly changing situation.
– Christine Wang
The United Kingdom says Russia is using separatist forces in eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian forces in the controversial eastern city of Sieverodonetsk have clashed with Russian-led separatist forces from Luhansk, the UK Defense Ministry said.
The ministry said these forces are poorly equipped and trained and do not have heavy equipment, compared to the usual Russian units. He said the use of proxy troops is a Russian tactic previously seen in Syria and suggests a desire to limit casualties among Moscow’s own forces.
CNBC could not immediately confirm troop movements. Military developments can be difficult or impossible to confirm in the fluid situation on the ground.
– Christine Wang