Blinken To Speak In Kyiv; Intel Chief Claims Kharkiv Situ 'Stabilising'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to deliver remarks at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute shortly (livestream here). The Secretary is set to speak on, "how the United States and other Allies and partners will help Ukraine achieve its goal of building a free, prosperous, and secure democracy - fully integrated into Europe and the Transatlantic Alliance". Blinken's surprise visit comes as the US promises supplies of weaponry and ordnance are en route to Ukraine and should reach the frontlines soon, and at the same time as a nascent Russian advance into border towns in the Kharkiv oblast.

• BBC: "Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov says the situation [around Kharkiv] has been "stabilising" and "is not catastrophic". Russian forces have captured several border villages in the region since they launched the surprise incursion on 10 May."It is not true to say that the enemy is making significant progress. At the same time, we must remember that the situation is quite tense and changing very quickly."
• As has been the case throughout the war in Ukraine, claims from Kyiv and Moscow have each sought to talk up their own positions at the expense of their foe, with the Russian MoD claiming that its forces have taken the town of Buhruvatka.