Dnipro HPP shelling and France's permission to strike Russian territory with its weapons - Weekend brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest

News for June 1

• Russia attacked energy infrastructure in 5 regions at night - Ministry of Energy
• NATO chief Stoltenberg discusses Russian assault on Kharkiv
• Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed record number of Russian soldiers and artillery in May

News for June 2

• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of June 2: Over 1000 troops, 33 armored combat vehicles and 25 tanks
• Russians attacked Ukrainian volunteers in Prague
• Russians suffer significant losses in Kurakhove direction: Frontline update as of June 2

Shelling of Dnipro HPP

Russian troops attacked two Ukrainian hydroelectric power plants on the night of June 1. One of them was the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant.

Since early morning, traffic through the Dnipro HPP dam has been blocked in Zaporizhzhia. The head of the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov, said that the DniproHES was in critical condition, and it was decided not to resume traffic through the dam.

Macron permits Ukraine to strike Russian airfields in Belgorod, Kursk with French Scalp missiles

"We should allow (Ukraine) to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired and, basically, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked," Macron said last week.

As the French officer explained to BBC, the Ukrainian military now has permission to strike airfields in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia with French Scalp missiles.

Dismissal of Kremlin's military commanders may impact Russian soldiers - UK intelligence

According to a UK intelligence report, the punishment for bribery is rather a political tool in a corrupt system. There are also many instances in history where the Russian regime has used corruption allegations, real or imagined, to eliminate or punish internal critics or undesirables.

"As an army commander, Popov was generally regarded as highly competent and, according to Russian military commentators, was popular among Russian troops. His arrest is likely to further dismay Russian military personnel and reinforce to his peers in senior command positions that loyalty and obedience to the regime and one's superiors are valued more highly than competence and charisma," the report said.

Romania considers transferring Patriot system to Ukraine

According to Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania, the issue of transferring the Patriot system should be considered by experts to find the best solution. After that, the decision will be approved by the Supreme Council of National Defense of Romania.

“So, at this moment, the proposal is under analysis,” the Romanian prime minister said.

At the same time, he refused to disclose any details on this issue, as it could harm Romania's relations with NATO partners and security.

Republicans to nominate Trump as presidential candidate regardless of court verdict

“We have to make plans as this develops, and we will have multiple contingency plans. The truth is, it doesn't really matter, we're going to nominate Donald Trump as our Republican nominee, and that's what ultimately matters,” said Co-chair of the Republican National Committee Lara Trump.

Scholz to Putin: We will defend every square inch of NATO territory

As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at the East German Economic Forum, Germany is currently playing a leading role in NATO's presence in the Baltic region on the border with Russia.

“And because the threat from Russia will continue, we and other allies decided last year to deploy additional units to the Baltic states and to station an entire brigade there permanently in future. But this turnaround in security policy is necessary to show Russia: We are prepared to defend every square inch of NATO territory against attacks,” the German Chancellor emphasized.