Ukraine releases new footage of daring AI strikes that crippled Putin’s bomber fleet
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Trump says no ‘immediate peace’ in Ukraine after call with Putin, signals possible Iran cooperation
“It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” said Trump. The call came three days after Ukraine conducted a massive, daring drone attack against Russian military airbases, saying it had destroyed several Russian nuclear-capable bombers worth billions of dollars. Trump said Putin agreed with him that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he had a “good conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine remains out of reach as Putin has vowed to respond to Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian strategic bombers.
Taking to Truth Social network, Trump said, “I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
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The call came three days after Ukraine conducted a massive, daring drone attack against Russian military airbases, saying it had destroyed several Russian nuclear-capable bombers worth billions of dollars.
Trump did not say whether he had cautioned Putin against retaliating, even as the U.S. continues to provide substantial military and financial support to Ukraine.
The call between Trump and Putin did however show that Washington and Moscow may be eying cooperation on Iran.
Trump said Putin agreed with him that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” added Trump.
Trump said that Putin expressed willingness to engage in discussions with Iran to help accelerate a resolution.
“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump added.
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With inputs from agencies
Ukraine launches explosive underwater attack on Crimean bridge
The Kerch Bridge was personally opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018. Tuesday marked Ukraine’s third attempt to strike it. Russia repaired the bridge and soon fortified it with special protective barges. Ukraine first attacked the bridge in October 2022, when a truck filled with explosives drove across the bridge.
The Kerch Bridge was personally opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 and Tuesday marked Ukraine’s third attempt to strike it.
Ukraine first attacked the bridge in October 2022, when a truck filled with explosives drove across the bridge from Russia and blew up one of the sections.
In July 2023, Ukraine’s marine drones destroyed two sections of the bridge. But Russia repaired the bridge and soon fortified it from attacks with special protective barges.
“So today we continued this tradition underwater. There is no place for any illegal Russian facilities on the territory of our state. Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is a legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our tough response,” SBU General Vasyl Malyuk said in a statement Tuesday.
At approximately 3 p.m local time, locals heard another two blasts in the vicinity of the Crimean bridge
Germany says will continue arms deliveries to Israel even as public wants stricter control
A survey published Wednesday found that 73 per cent of Germans favor tighter controls on arms exports to Israel, with nearly a third supporting a complete ban. Germany has approved military equipment exports worth 485 million euros ($553.7 million) since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The arms-export debate intensified last week when Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized Israel’s escalating airstrikes on Gaza, calling them neither justified nor comprehensible. Just 13 per cent said Germany should unconditionally stand with Israel in Middle East conflicts, while 74 per cent opposed such unconditional support. 63 per cent say they believe Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far, up six percentage points since a similar survey in August.
Germany will continue sending arms to Israel despite recent concerns over Israeli military actions in Gaza, the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday (June 4), reversing earlier signals that the government might reconsider exports.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a contentious session in parliament that Israel faces threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Iran, adding: “Germany will continue to support Israel, including with weapons deliveries.”
The comments followed Wadephul’s own remarks last week, when he suggested Germany was assessing whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza comply with international law, a statement that drew criticism from lawmakers within his own CDU/CSU conservative bloc.
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Wednesday’s parliamentary session was temporarily halted when a protester shouted slogans including “Free Palestine” and “No to genocide” from the spectator gallery. Security officers quickly escorted the protester out.
More from World Pressure mounts on Netanyahu as key coalition party threatens to back opposition motion to dissolve parliament
Wadephul is set to meet Thursday in Berlin with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar.
Public opinion favours stricter arms controls
The decision to maintain arms shipments comes despite significant public opposition in Germany. A survey published Wednesday found that 73 per cent of Germans favor tighter controls on arms exports to Israel, with nearly a third supporting a complete ban.
Since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Germany has approved military equipment exports worth 485 million euros ($553.7 million), becoming Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States.
Exports included firearms, ammunition, military components, special armored vehicles, electronic equipment, and specialized gear for Israel’s army and navy, according to figures from the German government published Tuesday.
Chancellor Merz’s criticism marks policy shift
The arms-export debate intensified last week when Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized Israel’s escalating airstrikes on Gaza, calling them neither justified nor comprehensible.
Merz’s statement and Wadephul’s earlier warnings prompted speculation of a potential shift in German arms-export policy, particularly toward possible sanctions against Israel. However, Wednesday’s announcement appeared aimed at dispelling uncertainty over Germany’s continuing military support.
Growing German discomfort over Gaza
According to a poll by German public broadcaster ARD, about three-quarters of Germans support Merz’s critical stance on Israeli military actions in Gaza. The poll, conducted June 2-3 among 1,292 respondents, also showed that 55 per cent reject the view that Germany holds a special historical responsibility toward protecting Israel due to the legacy of the Holocaust.
Just 13 per cent said Germany should unconditionally stand with Israel in Middle East conflicts, while 74 per cent opposed such unconditional support. Additionally, 63 per cent said they believe Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far, up six percentage points since a similar survey in August.
No legal challenges against Germany’s arms exports to Israel have succeeded, including a recent case brought by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice.
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Bengaluru stampede: Times when other sporting events and celebrations turned tragic
Tragedy struck in Bengaluru as a stampede during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured at least 33. This was after the RCB team landed in the city following their maiden IPL title win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad. The team was felicitated by the Karnataka government at the Vidhana Soudha, after which they went to the Chinn aswamy to celebrate with fans. However, the overwhelming crowd at the M.ChinnasWamy Stadium led to a stampeded, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, including a child.
Thousands of fans gathered outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to on Wednesday. This was after the RCB team landed in the city following their maiden IPL title win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad. The team was felicitated by the Karnataka government at the Vidhana Soudha, after which they went to the Chinnaswamy to celebrate with fans.
However, the overwhelming crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium led to a stampede , resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, including a child, and injuring over 30 others. The incident has sent shockwaves across the cricket world. RCB issued its first statement following the tragic incident and expressed grief and sorrow. The Karnataka government has announced compensation for the families of the victims and urged supporters to stay safe.
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Past incidents of tragic celebrations in sports
Liverpool victory parade incident (2025): On 26 May, during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, a vehicle intentionally drove into a crowd of supporters, injuring nearly 100 people, including children. The driver was arrested at the scene and faced multiple charges. Authorities later confirmed that the act was deliberate.
Indonesia football match stampede (2022): In October 2022, a football match in Malang, Indonesia, ended in disaster when police used tear gas to disperse fans who had invaded the pitch. The resulting panic led to a stampede that killed at least 125 people and injured over 180, making it one of the deadliest disasters in sports.
Heysel Stadium disaster (1985): In May 1985, during the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, clashes between fans led to a wall collapse, resulting in 39 deaths and over 600 injuries. The tragedy led to a five-year ban for English clubs from European competitions.
Hillsborough stadium disaster (1989): On 15 April 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, overcrowding in the stands led to a fatal crowd crush, causing 97 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The disaster led to significant changes in stadium safety regulations in the UK.
Eden Gardens disaster (1980): A stampede occurred during a football match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens, leading to the deaths of 16 fans and injuring over 100. The tragedy is remembered as ‘Football Lovers’ Day’ and led to the suspension of the Calcutta Football League that year.
WATCH: Ukraine releases new footage of daring AI drone strikes that crippled Putin’s bomber fleet
Ukraine’s security service on Wednesday released new drone footage of its operation “Spiderweb”, showing how exactly Kyiv struck 41 Russian heavy military bombers. “During the operation, modern UAV control technology was used, which combines autonomous artificial intelligence algorithms and manual operator intervention,” the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, said. The SBU released new video evidence showing Ukrainian drones striking engines, antennas, wings, and other components of Russian strategic and reconnaissance aircraft at four military airfields deep inside Russia. US Special Envoy on Ukraine Keith Kellogg, voiced concern over the escalation of the conflict in the east of the country, calling it a “very emboldened act’. The strikes were hailed by some as a breakthrough in modern warfare tactics, while others, including US President Barack Obama, called them “a very brazen act of terrorism” and said they could have been avoided if Moscow accepted an unconditional ceasefire proposal.
Ukraine’s security service on Wednesday released new drone footage of its operation “Spiderweb”, showing how exactly Kyiv struck 41 Russian heavy military bombers.
“During the operation, modern UAV control technology was used, which combines autonomous artificial intelligence algorithms and manual operator intervention,” Politico quoted the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, the country’s main counterintelligence agency, as saying.
СБУ показала унікальні кадри спецоперації «Павутина», у результаті якої уражено 41 військовий літак стратегічної авіації рф
➡️ https://t.co/OSxqEsI9CD pic.twitter.com/aGSZNEsoX3 — СБ України (@ServiceSsu) June 4, 2025
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“During the flight, some drones lost signal and switched to performing a mission using artificial intelligence along a preplanned route. After approaching and contacting a specifically designated target, the warhead was automatically activated,” the SBU added.
The SBU released new video evidence showing Ukrainian drones striking engines, antennas, wings, and other components of Russian strategic and reconnaissance aircraft at four military airfields deep inside Russia.
These bases are regularly used by Moscow to launch ballistic and cruise missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
“Among the hit aircraft were ‘A-50,’ ‘Tu-95,’ ‘Tu-22,’ ‘Tu-160,’ as well as ‘An-12’ and ‘Il-78,’” the SBU said, claiming that its clandestine operation caused more than $7 billion worth of financial damage to Russia.
According to the report, open-source intelligence analysts and journalists have verified, through newly released satellite imagery, the destruction of at least 11 strategic bombers.
The bold “Spider Web” drone strikes drew global attention — hailed by some as a breakthrough in modern warfare tactics, while others, including US Special Envoy on Ukraine Keith Kellogg, voiced concern over the escalation.
“When you attack an opponent’s part of the national survival system, which is their triad, their nuclear triad — that means your risk level goes up because you don’t know what the other is going to do … It’s a very emboldened act. And when you do that, it’s very clear that the risk levels will go up. That is what we try to avoid,” Fox News quoted Kellogg as saying on Tuesday.
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The “Spider Web” strikes lifted Ukrainian morale as Russian forces advanced in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and now Sumy.
Russia’s Defence Ministry downplayed the drone attacks, admitting hits only in Irkutsk and Murmansk, and claiming others were repelled. It said no casualties occurred and labeled the incident an act of terrorism.
President Zelenskyy said the strikes could have been avoided if Moscow had accepted Ukraine’s unconditional ceasefire proposal.
“Today, I awarded our Security Service warriors for the important operation to destroy 41 Russian aircraft, half of which is beyond repair, and another part will be repairing for years, if at all. Absolutely legitimate military target. Such operations help counter Russian terror,” Zelenskyy said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
“Had there been a ceasefire before our operation, there’d be no operation. Wanting a ceasefire doesn’t mean we do nothing in the meantime,” he added.
With inputs from agencies