Do not underestimate the threat to Germany from Russia, warned Johann Wadephul in Funke media group newspapers. "Russia besides straight threatens our lives in peace and freedom in Germany," he said. At night Ukraine again became the mark of mass Russian air strikes.
Target 5 percent: "right and necessary"
In his opinion, the Russian war against Ukraine is and remains the biggest threat to safety in Europe and the most crucial subject of German abroad policy. NATO's decisions at The Hague – where the alliance agreed to increase defence spending to 5 percent of GDP – are "right and necessary", as Johann Wadeful stressed.
The head of German diplomacy added that Russian president Vladimir Putin “with ruthless bombings attacks Ukrainian morale. Freedom of Ukraine is the most crucial test of our determination as Europeans."
In addition, in his entry on Platform X, he stressed that "Germany needs strong armed forces that defend us and the NATO alliance. The Patriot Air defence System, which protects our airspace (...), serves to defend NATO's east flank.”
Also Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Saturday (28.06.2025) against a false sense of safety in Germany. During his visit to the operational command of the Bundeswehry in Schwielowsee, he pointed out the ongoing Russian war: “We cannot, therefore, view our safety as obvious. We request to do more so that we can live in freedom, peace and security," he stressed.
Attacks in the West, too
Late in the evening, explosions were heard in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. However, according to military observers, most Russian combat drones were to fly westward.
According to “The Kyiv Independent” in the evening, Ukrainian air force warned against bombers and drones sent by Russia to various regions. The explosions and impacts were recorded in Zaporoż, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasian areas. The portal reported, citing the air force, that during Russia's night-massed air strike the F-16 pilot was killed. His plane was damaged, he lost altitude and fell to the ground.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression for over 3 years. In fresh weeks Russia has again drastically intensified its attacks on the country.
