Upon finishing his visits to North Korea and Vietnam, Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked by media what it means that the West continues to escalate the war in Ukraine, and openly calls for a "strategic defeat of Russia." His answer opened the door to a Russian nuclear first-strike against the West. | Asked what does it mean to Russia that the West keeps escalating the Ukraine conflict, President Putin's remarks went like this:

💬 "We see it. We observe it. As you said, they constantly raise the degree and escalate the situation. Apparently they expect us to be scared at some point. But at the same time, they also say that they want to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia on the battlefield. What does this mean for Russia? It means the end of its statehood. This is what it means. It means the end of the thousand year history of the Russian state. I think this is clear to everyone. And then the question arises, why should we be afraid? Isn't it better to go all the way, then? This is elementary formal logic, a course that I studied at the University for six months, but I remember it well. I even remember the teachers who taught this course. Therefore, I think that those who think so, and even more so, SAY SO, make another big mistake."

■ Kremlin explains Putin’s pledge that Russia willing ‘to go all the way’ (RT.com) | President Vladimir Putin’s statement about Russia’s intention to “go to all the way” referred to achieving its objectives in the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. ● Peskov was asked for clarification about remarks the Russian leader made on Thursday during a press conference in Vietnam. Putin was asked by a reporter what intentions he believed Western nations had in escalating tensions with Moscow. ● “Apparently, they count on us to chicken out at some point. But at the same time, they say they want to achieve a strategic defeat against Russia on the battlefield,” he replied. Such an outcome would amount to the loss of Russian statehood, Putin argued. “The question then is: why would we be afraid? Would it not be better to go all the way?” he concluded.

Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns have been deployed in Kharkov Region, according to the tabloid | Ukraine has started using German weapons to conduct strikes on Russian soil, according to the tabloid Bild. ● German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns, which have a range of up to 40km, have been deployed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to Kharkov Region, the outlet reported in an article on Friday. ● According to Bild’s correspondent, who visited the area, a German howitzer and its crew remain hidden in a dugout in a wooded area “not far from the Russian border.”

■ Border warfare, logistics strikes and hunt for aircraft: The week in the Ukraine conflict (VIDEOS) (RT.com)

Moscow has signaled that it is ready to adapt its nuclear doctrine to emerging geopolitical challenges. What changes could be made? | Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans for the further development of the Russian nuclear triad to guarantee strategic deterrence and ensure the balance of power in the world at a June 21 meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions. ● Earlier, at a press conference in Vietnam, the Russian president noted that Moscow is considering possible changes to its national nuclear doctrine due to the West's attempts to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. Putin particularly referred to Western military experts discussing the idea of a limited use of low-yield nuclear arms. ● The president specified that Russia is not planning to include a preemptive nuclear strike in its doctrine, because the enemy would be definitely destroyed by a retaliatory attack.

■ Russia to modernize nuclear arsenal (RT.com)

 ■ At least 25 killed, 50 wounded in Israeli attack on tents of displaced people in Mawasi, says Palestinian Health Ministry.
 ■ Israeli tanks push deeper into western Rafah in south Gaza, firing shells at displaced people’s tents, with one armoured vehicle blown up by a Hamas-planted improvised explosive device.
 ■ The White House has described Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticism of the suspension of one US weapons delivery to Israel as “vexing” and “disappointing” as the public rift between the two allies intensifies.
 ■ Israeli forces have carried out deadly air attacks across Gaza over the past 24 hours, including a strike on a home that has killed eight people in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood.
 ■ United Nations experts have warned arms manufacturers against transferring weapons to Israel, saying they could be complicit in violations of international law carried out in Gaza.
 ■ At least 37,431 people have been killed and 85,653 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of people still held captive in Gaza.