Source: European Pravda, citing Facebook

Details: On 3 June, Magyar said his government had achieved "in three weeks" what former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán and his team "were unable to do in 10 years".

Quote: "We have reached a comprehensive agreement with Ukraine on expanding the language, educational, cultural and political rights of the 100,000-strong Hungarian minority."

More details: Magyar said the agreement is the result of several weeks of intensive expert-level talks between Hungary and Ukraine in which churches and political organisations representing the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia were also involved.

Quote: "I am delighted to be able to announce on the eve of National Unity Day that the Ukrainian government has undertaken to incorporate the agreed measures into its legislation in the near future, thereby granting our compatriots in Transcarpathia much broader educational, cultural, language and political rights than they have had up to now."

More details: Magyar said Ukraine's commitments "will also be reflected in its action plan regarding the European Union".

Quote: "If this happens, the Hungarian government will support the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine's accession."

Background:

• It was reported earlier that Magyar said he would only unblock the opening of negotiating clusters for Ukraine if Kyiv guaranteed the implementation of Hungary's 11 demands on minorities.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after meeting Magyar in Brussels that the opening of clusters for Ukraine would be discussed at a European Council meeting on 18-19 June.

Read more about what's happening in talks with the EU on Ukraine's future membership: Who is the new Hungary? Why Ukraine's EU accession talks are still stalling and what comes next

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Source: Oleksandr Hanzha, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration; Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov on Facebook

Details: The administration reported that as of 17:24, six people required medical assistance. Five were hospitalised, three in a serious condition.

Filatov said the Russians had struck warehouses belonging to the ATB retail chain.

Quote from Filatov: "We strike their combat corvette in Kronstadt. They strike ATB food warehouses in Dnipro… Despicable monsters and cowards. There are simply no words left."

More details: Hanzha later reported that Russian forces attacked the Dnipro district several times in the afternoon. Three locations were hit.

One of the strikes caused a major fire at warehouses belonging to a retail chain. Over 100 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire, using 40 appliances.

Hanzha said eight people were injured: "Seven of them are in hospital. Three are in a serious condition."

Background:

• Sixteen people were killed and 42 injured as a result of a Russian attack on Dnipro on the night of 1-2 June.
• A day of mourning had been declared in the city on 3 June.

Source: European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels, citing her own sources in diplomatic circles

Details: On 3 June, EU ambassadors will discuss the start of the procedure for opening the first cluster (Fundamentals) for Ukraine.

European Pravda's sources said a separate item on launching the official process of opening Cluster 1 for Ukraine and Moldova in their EU accession talks was added to the 3 June Coreper meeting agenda earlier in the day.

One European Pravda source said this had become possible following a positive outcome of talks between Ukraine and Hungary's technical teams, which the Hungarian side reported to the Council of the EU.

European Pravda has learned that the EU ambassadors will discuss the results of screening under the Fundamentals cluster, and also, if the discussion is successful, the results of Ukraine's fulfilment of the opening benchmarks for the Fundamentals cluster.

The issue will be considered on the evening of 3 June.

Background:

• European Pravda reported earlier that Ukraine and Moldova are hoping that the first clusters in their EU accession talks will be opened in June. An intergovernmental conference may take place on 15 or 16 June. Sources said only the first cluster is currently expected to be opened.
• Ukraine is calling for all clusters in its accession talks to be opened in June.

Read more about what's happening in talks with the EU on Ukraine's future membership: Who is the new Hungary? Why Ukraine's EU accession talks are still stalling and what comes next

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Source: Bloomberg

Details: Last month, the government paid oil refiners US$2.8 billion. This was almost 5 times more than a year earlier.

These payments partly compensate refineries for the difference between motor fuel prices in Russia and abroad. They rose sharply after a rally on global markets caused by the war in Iran.

The subsidies are critical for Russian fuel producers, which have been hit by near-daily Ukrainian drone attacks over the past several months.

Strikes on refineries have already pushed Russia's refining volumes to their lowest level in more than 16 years, increased crude oil exports and forced the government to impose a ban on jet fuel exports in addition to restrictions on petrol.

Without the multibillion-dollar payments, the Russian budget would have gained more from the jump in the price of Urals, the country's key export crude grade.

Background:

• Drones operated by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) struck a major oil pipeline control station on a large oil pipeline in Russia's Kirov Oblast, as well as an oil depot in Rostov Oblast, on the night of 30-31 May.
• A fuel crisis has been escalating in Russia amid continued Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, with shortages of motor fuel similar to those previously reported in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol and Crimea now spreading to Russia's capital region.

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Source: European Pravda, citing Magyar in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung

Details: Magyar said he does not believe weapons are a guarantee of security. He said security guarantees can be provided only by the international community.

The prime minister believes that Hungary cannot play a decisive role in the process, as it is a matter for the great powers, but could provide diplomatic and humanitarian assistance and serve as a venue for negotiations, and noted that his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, also used to propose Budapest as a venue for talks on peace in Ukraine.

Magyar also mentioned the notorious Budapest Memorandum, in which the US and other leading powers guaranteed Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.

Quote: "Those promises had not been fulfilled, because empty slogans achieve little. Everything is now truly at stake in Ukraine. Many people are dying and the country can lose part of its territory. Which is why Ukraine needs real international guarantees."

Background:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is disappointed that the arrival of a US delegation in Kyiv is being delayed, but Ukraine is still counting on the visit.
• Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said negotiations involving the United States and Russia are continuing at the technical level despite the current pause in high-level contact.
• Ten days ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that peace talks on Ukraine had been paused, explaining that the US is "not interested in endless meetings without results". Before that, he said there had been no "fruitful results" in the peace process concerning Ukraine.

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Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an address to participants of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Kyiv

Quote: "Russia has the capacity to produce about 120 ballistic missiles every month. And these are only ballistic missiles. Russia also produces other types of missiles. This means that every month they can carry out several large-scale attacks in addition to the constant missile terror they are already conducting."

More details: Zelenskyy said this is clearly the biggest threat Ukraine is currently facing.

He also pointed out that on 2 June Russia killed 23 people in Ukraine in just one large-scale attack.

Quote: "The Russians used a large number of drones: more than 650 overnight and another 100 or so during the day. But the most dangerous threat, of course, is missiles."

Background:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier that current US anti-ballistic missile production volumes are insufficient relative to present-day challenges. He said this could lead to crises in different parts of the world as Russia ramped up its own production of ballistic missiles.
• Zelenskyy also said that he had asked the previous US administration and is asking the current administration to provide Ukraine with licences to produce Patriot missiles.
• Earlier, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine posted information about the structure, list of components and cooperating companies involved in the production of the 9M723 ballistic missile for Russia's Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system.

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Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference in Kyiv on 3 June, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy confirmed that there is still no certainty about the date when US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will arrive in Ukraine, a visit he had previously announced.

Quote: "We are indeed in constant contact with the American side regarding our negotiators. We are waiting for the negotiating team to arrive. But in my view, we have been waiting for them for a very long time."

More details: Zelenskyy expressed regret that the issue is not a priority for Washington.

Quote: "Sadly, we are not their focus today. Iran is the number one issue for the United States of America, followed by Ukraine. Unfortunately, we are in a queue of these wars."

More details: Zelenskyy nevertheless expects the visit to take place eventually.

Quote: "I truly believe that the United States of America is the strongest player capable of pushing Putin to end the war."

Background:

• Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said negotiations involving the United States and Russia are continuing at the technical level despite the current pause in high-level contact.
• Ten days ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that peace talks on Ukraine had been paused, explaining that the US is "not interested in endless meetings without results". Before that, he said there had been no "fruitful results" in the peace process concerning Ukraine.

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Source: Reuters, citing sources

Details: Slovakia and Hungary began receiving oil through the pipeline on 23 April after a shutdown lasting several months. May was the first full month of oil supplies along this route after flows resumed.

The sources said Hungary and Slovakia received only 55,000 barrels per day in April, as the route operated for just one week.

Although pipeline pumping is now unrestricted, May supplies were below the 200,000-235,000 barrels per day recorded before the shutdown, as the countries began diversifying their imports.

Background: Pumping through Druzhba was halted in late January because of damage that Ukraine linked to a Russian airstrike. Ukraine completed repairs to the pipeline in April.

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Source: 3rd Army Corps

Quote: "Donbas Arena, long time no see: the Third Corps attacked the Russians in Donetsk and Luhansk!

As part of an operation targeting the enemy's rear logistics, fighters of the Unmanned Systems Company of the Corps' 3rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion struck Russian lorries, Gazelle vans and armoured vehicles in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts."

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Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte after a meeting at the Mariinskyi Palace, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Mark Rutte said he is accompanied on his visit to Kyiv by representatives of all 32 member states of the Alliance.

Quote from Rutte: "This time I also brought with me the whole North Atlantic Council for our historic first NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Kyiv. This in itself sends a strong message of the enduring bond between NATO and Ukraine. It is important for us to be here, where Ukrainians – young and old – continue to stand together with courage and conviction that their freedom is worth fighting for."

More details: Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he considers it important that the meeting was held in Ukraine.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The Ukraine-NATO Council is a special format of our cooperation. And this is the first meeting in this format in Kyiv. It is truly historic. It is important that this format helps focus partners' attention on key security issues."

More details: European Pravda reported that the vast majority of NATO states were represented at the meeting by their representatives to the Alliance, with only a few represented by deputy representatives.

Background:

• Commenting on Ukraine's strike on St Petersburg during the days of Putin's key international event, Rutte joked that Russia needed Zelenskyy's permission, as it had on 9 May.
• Mark Rutte, during a visit to Ukraine, has spoken about rising Russian losses in the war and made a public address to Russian youth.
• Rutte and Zelenskyy also said that neither side is abandoning the need for Ukraine to join the Alliance.

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Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a joint press conference in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said Ukraine intends to provide assistance to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. He added that Ukraine will also help Romania, although no Ukrainian drones had been recorded there.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We will train [them to the level of] experts. Dates have already been set for our experts to travel there and share their experience. This is similar to how we acted in the Middle East, where we helped prevent the challenges they faced because of drones. We will help both with interceptors and with our expertise."

More details: Mark Rutte, responding to the same question, urged people to remember that Russia, not Ukraine, is responsible for any wartime incidents.

Quote from Rutte: "Let's not forget where it started. This started with Russia's reckless war of aggression against Ukraine, starting in March 2014, and then followed up in late February 2022 with the full onslaught . So whenever that happens, that's what is behind it. And everybody in NATO realises this, and we know that Ukraine will do everything to minimise the impact."

More details: In recent weeks, air-raid warnings have repeatedly been issued in the Baltic states because of the threat of drones, most likely Ukrainian ones that were thrown off course on their way to targets in Russia under the influence of electronic warfare.

Background:

• Amid the drone incidents, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius arrived in Lithuania for a meeting with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and other Baltic leaders.
• Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs believes the EU should consider providing additional financial support to border regions affected by drone incursions linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.

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Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook

Details: Russian forces attacked Kramatorsk at 16:13 on 3 June. The munitions landed near apartment blocks.

As of 18:30, three civilians were reported as killed and four others were injured.

The full information on the aftermath of the attack and the type of weapon used are being gathered.

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Source: Zelenskyy during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, broadcast by Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster

Quote: "We are in constant contact with the American side regarding our negotiators. We are waiting for the arrival of the negotiating team, but in my view, it is taking too long. Unfortunately, for the US, Ukraine is not in focus right now – for them, the Iran issue is number one. Unfortunately, we are standing in a queue of these wars."

Details: Zelenskyy added that the United States remains the key actor capable of pushing Putin toward ending the war, and that the best option for Ukraine is to involve both the US and Europe in negotiations.

Quote: "We support any format, and I am ready for direct talks with Putin to end this war, rather than waiting in line until everyone finishes all conflicts in the world, and only then will it come to us.

Thanks to our Armed Forces, we have remarkable strength on the battlefield, and we have achieved very serious progress in deep strikes."

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Source: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 3 June at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte drew a parallel between the forum and the so-called Victory Day parade on 9 May, an event that was highly important for Putin. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 – ed.]

"Ukraine is now so successful that Putin is only able to organise a 9 May parade with an official presidential decree by this President," Rutte said, pointing to Zelenskyy.

Rutte addressed Zelenskyy recalling those events: "I think for two hours you allowed him [Putin] to do it? And it ended in 1 hour and 55 minutes, so he didn't risk."

Ahead of the 9 May parade, Zelenskyy, responding to appeals from partners, guaranteed that Moscow would not face Ukrainian strikes and formally authorised Putin, by his decree, to hold a parade on Red Square. Many observers saw the incident as an illustration of Russia's weakness.

Rutte also emphasised that Russia is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy added that the aim was not to target Putin personally, who plans to attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in the coming days.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "To be honest, I don't follow it. I don't have an agenda of where Putin is going on which day. We respond to strikes on Ukraine. I believe we carry out fair strikes. There was a large-scale attack a day ago and we responded accordingly. But we respond exclusively against oil refineries and military targets, legitimate targets. That is what Ukraine does."

Background:

• Mark Rutte, during a visit to Ukraine, has spoken about rising Russian losses in the war and made a public address to Russian youth.
• Rutte and Zelenskyy also said that neither side is abandoning the need for Ukraine to join the Alliance.

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Source: Rutte and Zelenskyy, answering questions from European Pravda at a joint press conference in Kyiv

Details: Rutte stressed that the earlier decision on Ukraine's future membership remains in force. "Allies have been very clear, and this was last time reconfirmed in the NATO summit on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the Alliance, that there is this irreversible path of Ukraine into NATO," he said.

Rutte acknowledged that there is still no unanimous agreement among allies on membership, but that, in practical terms, preparations for accession are ongoing.

"From a practical perspective, what we are seeing now is that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are more and more interoperable with NATO. What we are seeing is that when it comes to the standards, we are using the same standards more and more. When it comes to our industry, it's more and more interconnected. We are learning from Ukraine, as NATO, when it comes to drone and counter-drone technology. And NATO still, when it comes, for example, to fighting a war in the air and other aspects of warfare, we can still help Ukraine in that area. So we can still help each other," he explained.

Zelenskyy, for his part, confirmed that during the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting held in Kyiv, support for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance was voiced.

"Today, many countries said they see Ukraine in NATO. And that is true – a very large number, a majority. And no one said they do not want to see it, although some remained silent on this," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added, while acknowledging that there is still no formal unanimity, which remains the obstacle.

Responding to a follow-up question from European Pravda on whether he expects unanimity to emerge, Zelenskyy indicated that he is counting on persuading sceptics.

"The majority of countries now truly understand that Ukraine in NATO is needed by the Alliance itself no less than by Ukraine. And that is a long conversation… I believe even the Russians need Ukraine in NATO. Because in the future it could be painful if Ukraine is not in NATO," he added.

According to European Pravda, Zelenskyy's arguments on this point are based, among other things, on the idea that Ukraine's NATO membership would provide Russia with guarantees of non-aggression from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite the fact that occupied territories would remain under Russian control.

Background:

• In April, Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine's NATO accession is not currently on the agenda, partly because it is being blocked by four countries – Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and the United States.
• As European Pravda reported, polls show that most Ukrainians support NATO membership, but do not fully trust the Alliance.

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Source: Zelenskyy, answering journalists' questions in Kyiv at a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said the agreement was reached in 2025, but complications have emerged now once the process moved to the implementation stage. He stressed that it is related to the supply of new Patriot systems, as well as newly manufactured missiles for them.

"I cannot disclose the number of systems," Zelenskyy said.

The president explained that the deal involves a complex exchange arrangement under which other countries gave Ukraine their place in the queue for new air defence systems.

Quote: "The queue for Patriot systems is measured in years. We could receive this new package [of ordered systems – EP] around 2030 at the earliest, which did not suit me... So there was an agreement with certain countries that could give us their place in the queue so that we could receive the Patriot system. But you can only take that place in the queue if you have paid for the contract. And we have to pay."

More details: Zelenskyy said problems had arisen with the payment because the Ukrainian government had been counting on "partner funds" that had not yet arrived. The approval of the EU aid package at the beginning of the year was complicated by Hungary's veto.

"We must do whatever it takes to pay for this contract. Otherwise, all the systems and missiles will arrive in 2030," the president stressed.

Zelenskyy said this was what prompted his earlier sharp warning about possible personnel decisions over difficulties with the contracts for the supply of Patriot air defence systems and missiles.

Quote: "I know it is difficult but the Foreign Ministry, the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and the Defence Ministry are obliged to do this… We must find this money. It doesn't matter where. Just find it. Because securing both the Patriot systems and a place in the delivery queue is even more difficult."

Background:

• Switzerland ordered five Patriot systems in 2022, initially expecting them to be delivered in 2026-2028. However, the timeline was postponed by four to five years because of the war in Ukraine.
• In May, Switzerland eventually said it will consider purchasing air defence systems from other suppliers.

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Source: Rutte at a press conference in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte believes the course of the war has changed, that participation on the Russian side has become increasingly dangerous, and urged young Russians to take this into account.

"But as Ukraine continues to stand strong, to innovate and to make battlefield gains, Russia is increasingly desperate," the NATO chief said.

He also cited NATO's estimate of Russian losses: "Russia's losses are substantial, over 30,000 per month. This means losing more men in one month than the Soviet Union did in 10 years in the 1980s in Afghanistan. Absolutely staggering numbers."

Rutte then said he would use his speech to directly address "young Russians and their families", stressing that Russian propaganda is misleading them.

"Men like you who join the fight, you won't be trained. The equipment they'll provide you is substandard. There is a very high chance you'll die or be wounded while you're out there. And the odds are that if you are wounded, you will be left to suffer in the mud and die. So when we talk about tens of thousands of Russian casualties, that's not abstract. That will probably be you," the NATO chief said.

Background:

• Rutte arrived in Kyiv on 3 June together with members of the North Atlantic Council, representing all 32 NATO member states.
• In May, Rutte said he had heard "many encouraging comments" from allies regarding support for Ukraine during a NATO ministerial meeting.
• He also stated that he has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara in July.

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Source: Skhemy, an investigative project by Radio Liberty

Details: Journalists obtained a Planet Labs satellite image dated 3 June, which shows a large-scale fire at the terminal site.

The facility was struck on the night of 2-3 June by Deep Strike units of the Special Operations Forces in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine, the Unmanned Systems Forces, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the attack on the Saint Petersburg oil terminal.

The Saint Petersburg oil terminal is located in the southeastern part of the city. According to the company's website, it is one of the largest bulk cargo transhipment terminals in the Baltic region. It has 21 storage tanks for petroleum products, with a total annual throughput capacity of 12.5 million tonnes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the success of the joint operation "good results of long-range sanctions".

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Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Støre for expressing condolences over the tragic consequences of Russian large-scale strikes on 2 June.

"We discussed air defense supplies – Norway is ready to help, thank you!" the president wrote, without providing further details.

Zelenskyy added that work is also underway to ensure that Europe develops its own capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles.

Quote: "We must fully accomplish this shared task and provide Europe with its own system strong enough to protect against ballistic threats. When Europe is protected against ballistic missiles, it will boost confidence not just for someone alone on our continent, but truly for all Europeans. We are also preparing for meetings in the near future – there will be special formats for our work."

Background:

• In early May, Norway allocated about US$303 million for the purchase of US weapons for Ukraine under NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme.
• Recently, Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that more than 90% of Ukraine's means of countering ballistic missiles are supplied through PURL.
• Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has also stated that partner countries' contributions to PURL are currently sufficient to continue supplying Ukraine.
• Meanwhile, Zelenskyy wrote a letter to US President Donald Trump and members of Congress last week, highlighting shortages of air defence systems and noting that the pace of deliveries through PURL is failing to keep up with actual needs.

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Source: Iryna Terekh, Fire Point Chief Technical Officer

Details: Terekh did not go into details, but added that the test is "extremely important" and was carried out recently. She also posted footage of the trial.

"However unrealistic and ambitious this goal may sound today, we are making every possible and impossible effort to ensure it becomes a reality as quickly as possible, and that Ukraine can close its own skies independently," she noted.

She also added that each successful test of a new missile is a step towards technological sovereignty.

"Because our true independence is defined, among other things, by whether we are capable of creating critical technologies on our own. Aren't we?" she concluded.

Background:

• In May, Fire Point presented the concept of the Freyja air defence system.
• The project is based on the FP-7.X interceptor missile. It is made of composite materials and has a stated speed of 1,500-2,000 metres per second. The missile is 7.25 metres long, with an external diameter of 1.15 metres, and a fuselage diameter of 0.53 metres.
• As previously reported, launches of these missiles were first shown in February this year.

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