Ukraine launches offensive in Donetsk, Russian fleet conducts drills in Kaliningrad

China speaks out about "cutting off the nose" of a US warship in the Taiwan Strait, Iran opens its embassy in Saudi Arabia... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Messaging app Telegram falls under the scrutiny of the Malaysian government . (Source: ShutterStock)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

* Russia: Ukraine launches large-scale offensive in South Donetsk : On June 5, the Russian Defense Ministry announced: "Since the morning of June 4, the enemy has launched a large-scale offensive in five areas of the front in the direction south of Donetsk with the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades from the strategic reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of other military units and groups."

The ministry also said that a total of six mechanized battalions and two Ukrainian tank battalions participated in the attack, with the goal of "penetrating the Russian defense line" in the most vulnerable area on the front.

However, according to the announcement, the Ukrainian side "could not complete the mission" and lost 250 soldiers, 16 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles and 21 armored fighting vehicles.

The commander of the joint operations force, Chief of the Russian General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, was present at one of the reinforced checkpoints in this direction during the Ukrainian offensive. (Reuters)

* Ukraine continues to advance near Bakhmut : On June 5, the commander of Ukrainian ground forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that his country's soldiers continued to advance near Bakhmut and successfully destroyed a nearby Russian stronghold.

On the same day, writing on Telegram, the head of Ukraine's Kaluga region, Vladislav Shapsha, said: "On the morning of June 5, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) crashed on the M3 Ukraine highway at km 2999 (Zhizdra) and km 283 (Duminichi). However, there was no explosion. The area has now been cordoned off." (Reuters/TASS)

* The US believes in Ukraine's upcoming counter-offensive campaign : On June 4, in an interview with CNN (US), National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington believes Kiev will succeed in the near future.

In addition to Mr. Sullivan, the Chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, Republican Congressman Mike Turner also made a similar assessment. This politician said that during his visit to Kiev, he met with Ukrainian soldiers and felt “very optimistic”.

However, at a press conference last month, John Kirby, the National Security Council’s strategic coordinator, did not offer such optimistic comments. The official only said that the Biden administration was doing everything it could to provide resources to help Ukraine gain the upper hand.

For his part, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (USA), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his country's army was ready for a counterattack in areas controlled by Russia. In recent weeks, Ukrainian officials at all levels have also given similar messages. (CNN/Wall Street Journal)

* Chinese newspaper criticizes visit of US diplomat : On the evening of June 4, the Global Times (China) quoted Chinese experts criticizing the visit of a senior US State Department official to China.

According to them, this trip was motivated by Washington's own purpose of showing itself as the party seeking contacts, not Beijing.

Notably, this move coincided with the arrival of US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink in Beijing as part of a visit that the US State Department said would see discussions on “key issues in bilateral relations.” (Global Times/Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* US, China send ships to Indonesia exercise : On June 4, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Jakarta said that the US Navy has sent a littoral combat ship to participate in the exercise. According to the announcement, the exercise will allow the US to “join with like-minded countries, our allies and partners to address common challenges” such as disaster response and humanitarian assistance.

Earlier, China's Defense Ministry said it would send a destroyer and a frigate at the invitation of the Indonesian navy. Australia and Russia are also expected to send warships.

Indonesia said a total of 17 foreign ships will participate in the drills, focusing on non-military activities with key allies. (AFP)

* Philippines has a new Defense Minister : On June 5, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Mr. Gilberto Teodoro as the country's Defense Minister. Notably, Mr. Teodoro is a former Congressman and served as Defense Minister under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (Reuters)

* Malaysia considers restricting Telegram : On June 5, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it is considering imposing some restrictions on the Telegram application to prevent criminal activities, protect national security and ensure the safety of users.

According to MCMC head Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, the move was necessary as Telegram does not have an official channel to monitor and address online crimes, which are on the rise on the platform.

In addition, the Telegram application has a feature that each user can create a “Telegram bot”, which can launch cyber attacks and crack passwords and steal information. Once the bot enters the network device, it can collect information according to the cybercriminal’s intentions.

MCMC recommends that users should not share links indiscriminately and be aware of the risks, not only to themselves but also to national security.

Telegram is currently one of the most popular messaging apps in Malaysia, as the platform features high security, anonymity, end-to-end encryption and the ability to share large amounts of data via cloud computing. (TTXVN)

South Asia

* India, US plan roadmap for defense cooperation : On June 5, the roadmap for bilateral defense cooperation was announced after the meeting on the morning of June 5 between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin.

During the talks in New Delhi, the two sides “focused specifically on identifying ways to enhance (defense) industrial cooperation,” a statement from the Indian Ministry of Defense said. “Both sides will identify opportunities for collaboration in developing new technologies and co-manufacturing existing and new systems, and facilitate increased collaboration between the defense startup ecosystems of the two countries.”

Towards these goals, the two sides signed a US-India Defense Industry Cooperation Roadmap, which outlines policy direction for the next few years.”

Notably, the above roadmap on defense cooperation was announced shortly after both Defense Ministers attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last weekend.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make an official state visit to the US on June 22 and hold talks with President Joe Biden. (VNA)

Northeast Asia

* China talks about “cutting off the nose” of a US destroyer in the Taiwan Strait: On June 5, speaking at a press conference about a Chinese warship “cutting off the nose” of a US destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Uong Van Binh affirmed: “The US caused trouble and provoked first. Meanwhile, the Chinese side has handled the matter in accordance with current laws and regulations.”

Meanwhile, analyst Derek Grossman from the RAND Institute (USA) assessed: "To me, it seems that China has instructed its forces to respond more decisively to deal with what it considers to be aggressive actions by the US and allied forces...".

However, he was concerned that this aggressive attitude could increase the probability of miscalculation, leading to the two sides' forces "accidentally colliding" and triggering an armed conflict. (Reuters)

* South Korea, Germany discuss military cooperation : On June 5, the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea said that JCS Chairman General Kim Seung-kyum met with German Army Commander General Carsten Breuer in Seoul to discuss regional security, the conflict in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting at the JCS headquarters, the two sides expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and agreed to join efforts for stability in Europe and world peace. Representatives of South Korea and Germany also agreed that the scope of bilateral cooperation should be further expanded for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Kim thanked Germany and the international community for maintaining a “resolute” attitude in implementing sanctions against Pyongyang, contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and hoped that Seoul's policy for peace would continue to be supported by all parties. (Yonhap)

Europe

* Russian fleet conducts exercises in Kaliningrad : On June 5, the press service of the Baltic Fleet, Russian Navy issued a statement stating: "According to the training plan from June 5-15, units of the Baltic Fleet have begun conducting combat exercises in the Baltic Sea and at combat training facilities in the Kaliningrad region, under the direction of the Commander of the Baltic Fleet, Vice Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov".

It is expected that about 40 ships, more than 3,500 soldiers, more than 500 units of equipment, along with 25 planes and helicopters, will participate in this exercise. (Sputnik/Reuters)

* Poland receives EC draft on extending ban on Ukrainian grain imports : On June 5, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said he had received the draft regulation of the European Commission (EC) on ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

“We have received from the EC a draft of a new regulation, which bans the import of 4 products (Ukrainian grain) to 5 countries. The effective date specified in the draft is September 15 this year. It is only a draft, but I hope the document will come into effect tomorrow,” the official wrote on Twitter.

Previously, five European countries complained that cheap Ukrainian grain was affecting unprofitable domestic production and asked the EU to extend the ban. (Reuters/TTXVN)

Middle East-Africa

* Iran to open embassy in Saudi Arabia : On June 5, AFP reported that Iran will officially reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia on June 6, after 7 years of closure.

“The inauguration ceremony of the Iranian Embassy will take place on Tuesday (June 6), at 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. Vietnam time), in the presence of the newly appointed Iranian Ambassador,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Previously, in 2016, these two Muslim countries severed diplomatic relations, after the Saudi Arabian Embassy and Consulate in Tehran were attacked during protests against Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

However, in March, the two sides unexpectedly signed a reconciliation agreement in China, and announced that they would soon reopen embassies in each other's countries. Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm when this will happen. (AFP)

* Israel opposes the idea of ​​Saudi Arabia developing civilian nuclear power : On June 5, speaking on Ynet TV (Israel), Energy Minister Israel Katz stated: "Of course, Israel does not encourage such things. I do not think Israel should agree to this."

Earlier, last March, the New York Times (USA) reported that a civilian nuclear program was one of the conditions that Saudi Arabia put forward to reach an agreement to normalize relations with Israel, which is currently being promoted by the US as an intermediary. However, Riyadh and Washington have not confirmed this information.

For its part, citing Iraq and Libya as examples, Israel fears that hostile neighbors could use civilian nuclear energy and projects within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a cover for secretly building nuclear bombs.

Last week, Israel said it would be consulted by the US before any deal with Saudi Arabia that affects Israel's national security. (TTXVN)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-65-ukraine-mo-dot-tan-cong-o-donetsk-ham-doi-nga-tap-tran-tai-kaliningrad-229810.html