The wife of a imprisoned Crimean journalist traveled 2,000 kilometers only to learn that her husband is slowly fading away behind bars in Russia. Amet Suleymanov, sentenced by Russia to 12 years in jail, suffers from persistently high blood pressure, chronic pain, and a rash of unknown origin. 

His wife, Lilia Lumanova, says Suleymanov is in critical condition.

“We are, of course, very concerned about his condition, especially his health… The only thought was — I had to go,” Lumanova wrote on social media, after traveling 2,000 kilometers to the penal colony in Russia’s city of Vladimir.

She was allowed to see her husband only through glass, for 2.5 hours, and their conversation focused mostly on his health. Suleymanov continues to have serious heart problems. Even before his sentencing, doctors recommended urgent surgery to replace a heart valve, but there has been no progress.

“Amet needs a valve replacement. In these conditions, it’s a difficult and lengthy process. But I had to try,” Lumanova said after meeting with the colony’s warden.

In 2021, a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Suleymanov to 12 years in prison on terrorism charges over alleged ties to the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine but banned in Russia.

“A surprised look, joy in his eyes… As always, Amet stayed himself, he even joked,” Lumanova recalled about the brief visit, possibly the last.

His lawyer Lilia Hemedzhi called the sentence a death sentence due to Suleymanov’s serious medical conditions, UkrInform reports. 

Earlier, the UN Committee Against Torture urged Russia not to enforce the sentence, saying it was incompatible with Suleymanov’s health. The organization demanded immediate medical examination and urgent treatment. 

Despite repeated warnings from the UN Committee Against Torture, which urged Russia not to enforce the verdict and called for immediate medical care, Suleymanov remains imprisoned in harsh conditions.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, states that Russia does not intend to stop the war, even under the threat of new restrictions from the European Union, UNIAN reports. 

He expresses confidence that even the EU’s 18th sanctions package will not compel the Kremlin to change its course.

“It’s impossible to force Russia to submit to any kind of pressure or coercion,” claims Peskov. 

According to him, Moscow will only agree to negotiations when there are “logic and arguments,” not Western pressure. At the same time, he admitted that sanctions are “a double-edged sword.”

The Kremlin continues to describe Western sanctions as “illegal” and claims that Russia has already adapted to life under international pressure. 

“Obviously, we’ve developed a certain resilience after almost four years. We’ve learned to minimize the effects of such sanctions packages,” Peskov adds.

Despite facing near-total international isolation, Moscow once again shows that it chooses confrontation over peace.

Earlier, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that current “warm conversations” between the US and Russia are a deception to avoid new sanctions.

Moscow also uses the prisoner exchange for the demonstration of willingness for peace but simultaneously denies a ceasefire, claims its territory on every piece of Earth where its soldiers step, and launches the most devastating attacks against Ukrainian civilians. 

Kyiv has multiple times said it should become a part of NATO to maintain the security in the country. However, its partners don’t accept its membership, fearing escalation. Despite trying not to increase tension, Russia may still be preparing an attack on Europe in the next 2-6 years, experts say. 

In the 90s, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal for protection under the Budapest memorandum from allies, including the US. 

In the Ukrainian army, not just infantry, air defense crews, and paratroopers do essential work. The accuracy of Ukrainian artillery strikes depends heavily on this invisible unit, ArmyInform reports. 

A former gas worker, an office employee, and a construction worker now conduct these measurements, which determine the flight path of shells and missiles.

“Weather significantly affects the ballistics of shells and rockets,” the brigade explains. 

Data from several kilometers above ground is vital for artillery, and when it exceeds 20 kilometers in altitude, it becomes essential for HIMARS systems.

Their data is also used by unmanned aerial vehicle units. Several times a day, soldiers launch a radiosonde that climbs up to 40 kilometers high, collecting information on wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Taras, the acting platoon commander who previously worked in the gas industry and began his military service as a technician filling weather balloons, says: “Those who work and develop their skills reach more in a relatively short time than those who just wait for a promotion.”

His comrade Dmytro, who six months ago was an office worker in Kyiv, adds: “Overall, I’m satisfied with where I’m serving. I’m happy to work in a friendly team… It’s hard being separated from family and familiar life. But I’m holding on.”

Oleksii Hryhorovych, a platoon operator who used to work in construction, says: “Of course, I miss my family and peaceful life, but I understand that right now, each of us is part of something bigger. I’m proud to be useful to my country.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 22 June that Russian authorities are actively seeking to weaken international sanctions and are preparing new military operations in Europe, citing intelligence reports he received the same day.

Moscow’s main goal: dismantling sanctions pressure

According to Zelenskyy’s evening address on 22 June, Russia’s current focus is to combat international sanctions. He stated that the Kremlin is attempting to not only block new sanctions but also soften those already imposed.

“They are trying by every means to bargain not just for the non-application of new sanctions, but also for the weakening of existing ones. We understand how and whom they are using in Europe and in other parts of the world. We are countering this,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to those promoting the sanctions agenda, calling it “the agenda that brings peace closer.”

Russia kills at least seven civilians in Kyiv and nearby towns in pre-dawn air assault

Intelligence reports on Russian plans and economic pressure

Earlier the same day, Zelenskyy also referred to a separate report from Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov regarding the situation inside Russia and its military-industrial complex. He reiterated that “the key thing Moscow is trying to do is fight sanctions.” The President said Ukrainian intelligence clearly sees Russia’s critical vulnerabilities and is preparing corresponding actions to diminish Moscow’s aggressive potential.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Ukraine has evidence that Russia is preparing new military operations on European territory.

“We see very significant damage caused by sanctions to the Russian economic system, which confirms that our strategy of pressuring Russia to end the war is the correct one,” he said.

Middle East tensions and nuclear nonproliferation

Zelenskyy also commented on recent US strikes on Iranian-linked nuclear facilities and condemned Iran’s support for Russia, citing the use of Shahed drones in attacks on Ukraine.

“There must be no proliferation of nuclear weapons in the modern world,” Zelenskyy stressed, noting the need for global diplomatic resolve and stronger collective security.

He welcomed US leadership on the issue and underlined the urgency of coordinated international diplomacy.

They call you — and suddenly, you’re an “agent,” without even realizing it. Ukrainian law enforcement is reporting a surge in cases where the Russians target pensioners by phone, impersonating officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) or the National Police. Victims are then blackmailed into carrying out sabotage missions for Russia, according to the National Police.

Russia’s strategy is clear: recruit people who are unaware they have become pawns in a campaign of international sabotage.

In Ukraine, elderly people are typically contacted via Viber. The goal: coerce them into following “orders” based on fake draft notices, fabricated criminal cases, or alleged links to Russia through purchases of medicines or dietary supplements.

One common scheme involves telling a pensioner that a drug they bought is banned because it was “produced in Russia.” That, the scammers claim, amounts to “collaboration with the enemy.” What follows is extortion — and a so-called “way out”: either wire money or complete a “small task.”

Pensioners in Kyiv have already contacted police after being defrauded or drawn into dangerous schemes. Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasizes that legitimate security agencies never issue illegal or covert orders to citizens.

According to the SBU, Russian operatives are also attempting to recruit minors. These efforts often begin with photographing sensitive sites or tagging graffiti, and escalate to acts of sabotage against railway and energy infrastructure.

Moreover, in Europe, the Russians recruit Ukrainian agents to cause a double wave: shock in the West and propaganda within Russia.