A Ukrainian attack on 4 July targeted a key Russian defense facility in the city of Azov, Rostov Oblast, about 200 km from the frontline. The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant, which manufactures critical electronic components for Russian missiles and armored vehicles, was hit by multiple drones in a bold daylight assault. The extent of the damage is currently unknown.

Morning drone strike hits Azov military facility

According to Militarnyi, the attack occurred on the morning of 4 July when Ukrainian strike drones launched an assault on the Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant, part of Russia’s Tactical Missile Armament Corporation.

Social media footage showed fixed-wing UAVs diving toward the site, followed by explosions and visible smoke. One of the drones bore a delta-wing “Shahed-like” structure, suggesting the use of an unknown new UAV model.

The original Shaheds are Iranian-designed long-range explosive drones that Russia uses in its daily attacks on Ukrainian cities. They are easily recognizable by their rounded nose and triangular, delta-shaped wings.

Witness footage and drone type

Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ posted an image, showing a delta-wing drone with the caption:

“Rostov. Likely a new UAV from Ukraine’s Defense Forces.”

Later, the same channel shared videos capturing different UAV types, including a well-known Ukrainian drone and a delta-wing aircraft believed to be a new model.

“Azov was attacked by several types of birds,” Exilenova+ commented. “We see an FP-1 pass over, and then, probably, the strike of that same ‘new’ drone.”

Militarnyi noted that “Delta-wing drones are fairly common, but they are rarely used by those attacking the aggressor country. What specific model was used remains unknown at this time.”

At least 10 drones

Russian authorities initially claimed their air defense forces intercepted the drones. Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that at least ten UAVs or their debris “fell” on the factory grounds. The local emergency services confirmed the site was impacted on 4 July.

Yury Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast, stated that evacuation efforts were underway due to widespread damage from UAV debris, claiming that the attack damaged residential buildings. While initial reports suggested no injuries, Slyusar had also stated that one woman killed in the overnight attack.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed  that air defenses downed 26 drones over Rostov Oblast overnight on 4 July. In Shakhty, a UAV strike allegedly caused a transformer substation to shut down, leaving around 2,000 homes — with more than 6,000 residents — without power. Buildings near the substation also suffered window damage.

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Ukrainian drones strike Russian plant making Shahed warheads near Moscow

Targeted facility and its military role

The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant is a core producer of high-precision electronics, optical, and thermal imaging equipment for Russia’s military. As detailed by Exilenova+, it manufactures lenses, prisms, radar homing heads, and control systems used in tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, naval systems, and aircraft.

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, under the National Security and Defense Council, confirmed the strike. Its head, Andrii Kovalenko, emphasized that the plant produces “eyes” for Russian military hardware, including fire control systems and rangefinders. He stated,

“Despite a difficult night (a reference to Russia’s massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, – Ed.), there is good news. In Russia, targets were hit in Moscow and Rostov oblasts. The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant was struck.”

The facility has been under US sanctions since March 2022 due to its role in the Russian war effort. It is also sanctioned by Canada, Switzerland, the European Union, New Zealand, and Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence’s War & Sanctions project has identified foreign-origin components at the site, including machinery from Taiwan, South Korea, and Switzerland.

Czech counterintelligence will investigate domestic companies allegedly involved in exporting machinery to Russia for weapons manufacturing. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) says it will act once official information is provided, according to iRozhlas.

On 21 June, Zelenskyy told reporters that Russia continues receiving machine tools from foreign companies, including eight based in the Czech Republic. He said these tools are used for weapons manufacturing. Though he withheld specific names, Zelenskyy stated he knows the companies involved and urged sanctions against them.

BIS awaits official list, doubts direct Czech exports

BIS spokesperson Ladislav Šticha told iRozhlas that Czech authorities have yet to receive any official list of the companies Zelenskyy mentioned.

“It is therefore very difficult to comment on which companies and goods are involved,” Šticha stated.

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Czech firms secretly shipped machine tools to Russia — even during war, investigation finds

According to him, hundreds of companies are attempting to export to Russia. Šticha added that many of the now-embargoed items were exported before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when such trade was still legal.

BIS believes it is “almost certain” none of the cases involve direct exports from the Czech Republic to Russia, as such transfers require a license and could not legally cross borders otherwise.

Third-country reexports suspected

Šticha suggested that it could be goods delivered legally before 2022 or re-exported via other countries. In some cases, companies may have sold products to “safe” nations, including EU members, not realizing they would be reexported to Russia.

“Firms often argue they were unaware of subsequent resales, and it’s very difficult to prove otherwise,” Šticha noted.

Recently, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Czech company Leseft International s.r.o., located in Ostrava, may have been involved in delivering components used in Russian rockets. Šticha declined to comment directly but confirmed:

“This company is not unknown to us.”

Sanctions evasion

According to Šticha, BIS handles dozens of cases annually where companies attempt to bypass sanctions by routing embargoed items through complex export networks. The agency cooperates with other state institutions and foreign partners to intercept such attempts.

Šticha stressed that the number of state experts is too small compared to the volume of companies attempting to skirt sanctions.

Last week, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that based on Ukrainian-provided information, Czech authorities have found no indicators confirming the transfer of dual-use items to Russia.

During a tense high-level meeting in Brussels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot allow Russia to lose in its war against Ukraine. According to several sources cited by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on 4 July, China fears that such an outcome would allow the United States to fully pivot its attention to Beijing.

SCMP reports that during a four-hour closed-door discussion with EU officials on 2 July, Wang Yi said a Russian defeat in Ukraine was strategically unacceptable for China. This comment to Kallas — who assumed her EU role in late 2024 — echoed what many in Brussels suspected to be Beijing’s true position but contradicted China’s public statements claiming it is “not a party” to the war.

Wang rejected accusations that China is supporting Russia militarily or financially, asserting that if it had been doing so, the war would have ended already. Some EU officials saw Wang’s tone as a harsh dose of realpolitik, designed to pressure the EU to reconsider its support for Ukraine.

Diplomatic friction intensifies

EU diplomats were surprised by Wang’s bluntness, especially just weeks before the scheduled summit in China on 24 and 25 July. SCMP sources said Wang hinted the summit could be shortened, a possible warning over the bloc’s ongoing stance.

On the same day, Wang also met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to EU sources, all three European leaders shared a unified stance across all major points.

A major point of contention remains the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Moscow, which includes plans to blacklist two small Chinese banks over violations of existing Russia sanctions. Wang reportedly vowed multiple times to retaliate if these sanctions are approved by the bloc’s 27 member states.

China’s version softens the narrative

Beijing’s official account of the meeting with Kallas significantly downplayed tensions. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, “There is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and the EU, and they have broad common interests.” It emphasized mutual respect, learning, and cooperation, without addressing the contentious topics raised during the meeting.

On 4 July, Dutch and German intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine on a large scale, with drones dropping choking agents on Ukrainian positions. The revelations, based on joint investigations, show what officials describe as a systematic and intensifying pattern of illegal chemical warfare.

Intelligence agencies confirm large-scale Russian chemical weapons program

Reuters says Dutch and German officials jointly reported that Russia is operating a coordinated program to produce and deploy banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. The Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency confirmed gathering evidence of these violations, including Russia’s use of drones to drop choking agents—such as chloropicrin—on Ukrainian trenches to force soldiers into open fire.

According to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, “we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons.” He added that this trend is not isolated but part of a normalization of chemical warfare tactics by Russian forces.

Thousands of chemical-related incidents and battlefield injuries

The head of the Dutch MIVD, Peter Reesink, said his agency’s conclusions were based on independent investigations.

At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical attacks, according to Brekelmans, and more than 2,500 people have reported symptoms related to chemical exposure on the battlefield, Ukrainian health authorities report.

The United States had first accused Russia of using chloropicrin in May 2024. The compound, originally used by Germany in World War One, is more toxic than riot control agents and is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

According to Reesink, Russia’s chemical weapons use is no longer a matter of improvisation:

“This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program.”

Calls for sanctions and exclusion from international bodies

Brekelmans called for increased sanctions and political pressure:

“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW.”

The European Commission is considering adding 15 more individuals and entities to its sanctions list for suspected involvement in chemical weapons use in Ukraine. 

Ukrainian drones struck a critical military-linked facility in Russia’s Moscow Oblast that produces thermobaric warheads for Shahed drones, the Ukrainian General Staff reported on 4 July. The strike ignited a fire and caused visible black smoke, while Russian local authorities acknowledged drone-related damage in the area.

Ukrainian drones target war-linked facility

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, units from the Unmanned Systems Forces, together with other Defense Forces, hit the JSC “Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry” in Sergiev Posad, Moscow Oblast.

The report emphasized that the facility is currently involved in the production of thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type UAVs and plays a vital role in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

“It is confirmed that our strike assets reached the target directly. A fire and heavy smoke were recorded in the area of the facility,” the Ukrainian military stated.

The effects of the strike are still being assessed, according to the report.

Fires and explosions in Sergiev Posad

On the morning of 4 July, Oksana Yerokhanova, head of the Sergiev Posad city district, confirmed that drones had attacked the town. She reported that a fire broke out at an electrical substation, leaving six neighborhoods without power.Yerokhanova also reported that two men were allegedly injured during the incident.

Geolocation confirms strike on key industrial site

Ukrainian Telegram channel ExileNova+ geolocated the black smoke column to Substation No. 94 “Zagorsk” (110/35/6 kV), believed to be part of the “Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry.”

Additional footage shared by Exilenova+ shows Liutyi drones flying past the smoke column and striking separate locations.

Despite claiming the destruction of 48 drones overnight, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not mention any incidents in Moscow Oblast in its public statements.

In the early hours of 4 July, Russia launched one of its largest air assaults of the war, targeting Kyiv with an unprecedented wave of 550 air attack assets—explosive drones and missiles—mere hours after a phone call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian capital and surrounding oblasts faced explosions, fires, widespread damage, one death and at least 26 injuries. Russian drones also injured two men in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Attack began as media reported Trump-Putin phone call

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian strike coincided with news reports of the Trump-Putin phone conversation.

“The first air raid alerts in our cities and oblasts began yesterday almost simultaneously with media coverage of President Trump’s phone call with Putin,” Zelenskyy said in a 9:40 statement. He described the strike as “one of the most massive air attacks,” calling it “demonstratively significant and cynical.”

The Air Force later reported that the aerial assault began at 18:00 on 3 July and lasted through the night, and provided more details on the aerial weapons used in the assault. According to the military, Russia’s “main strike direction” was Kyiv. 

After Russia’s attack on Kyiv, Trump says he’s “disappointed” 

After his almost one-hour-long phone conversation with Putin yesterday, Trump said early today that he’s “very disappointed”.

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed,” Trump said, according to Reuters. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”

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Russian battlefield gains expected after US aid pause, ISW warns

Right after the phone call yesterday, Trump said he was not successful in his peace efforts with Putin:

“I didn’t make any progress with him at all,” he told reporters.

To justify the suspension of weapons to Ukraine – including vital interceptor missiles – Trump claimed the US is still sending weapons, and simultaneously blamed the Biden administration.

“We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons,” he said. “And we’re working with them and trying to help them, but we haven’t (completely stopped). You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.”

In his morning statement, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for sustained US aid, particularly missile defense systems like the Patriot.

“These are real protectors of life,” he said.

He urged for “massive pressure” on Russia in the form of sanctions and economic strikes.

“Russia shows it’s not going to stop its war and terror,” he warned.

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Trump admits “no progress” after sixth call with Putin on Ukraine

Ukraine’s Air Force intercepts hundreds of aerial threats over Kyiv

Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed on 4 July that Russia had used a total of 550 air attack means, primarily aimed at Kyiv. These included:

• 539 Shahed-type drones and drone decoys
• 1 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile
• 6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
• 4 Iskander-K cruise missiles

The Air Force reported 478 air threats neutralized:

• 270 aerial targets shot down using air defense systems
• 208 targets suppressed or lost from radar via electronic warfare

“Confirmed enemy air attack impacts at 8 locations (9 missiles and 63 UAVs), along with debris from downed [munitions] falling at 33 locations,” the report reads.

See also

Pentagon and State Dept defend Ukraine arms pause as “America-first agenda”

Kyiv becomes primary target in massive overnight strike

The attack began in the evening of 3 July, with the first air raid alert in Kyiv issued at 17:16, according to Suspilne. This initial alert was followed by repeated alarms throughout the night. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed explosions on the capital’s left bank and multiple emergency responses in districts including Obolonskyi and Solomianskyi.

Shortly after 20:00, a renewed air raid alert was declared across the city as authorities warned of incoming drone attacks. Around 21:00, explosions were reported in several areas of Kyiv. In Obolonskyi district, debris from a downed drone fell on the roof of a residential building. 

By late evening, the capital faced a new wave of more intense attacks. Around midnight, another series of loud explosions rocked various neighborhoods. Fires broke out in Solomianskyi district, where drone fragments struck residential buildings. In Darnytskyi, debris fell in open areas, some without detonation or fires, though multiple impact points were recorded.

Damage across the capital was extensive. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that more than 30 apartment buildings had been affected, along with five educational institutions, a detached house, retail locations, a garage cooperative, and several vehicles. Fires also broke out in non-residential areas, and five ambulances responding to emergency calls were damaged.

In Kyiv Oblast, the attack continued throughout the night. In Bucha district, windows were shattered in a four-story residential building and a private house. In Fastiv district, the State Emergency Service reported fires at a high-rise building and seven private garages. Authorities documented the effects of the attack at 11 separate sites across five oblast districts.

Civilian casualties

Fires were reported in multiple neighborhoods, and officials noted elevated levels of combustion products in the air. By 03:50, eight people had been injured. That number rose rapidly in the following hours.

Update 13:00:  The number of injured in Russia’s overnight attack on Kyiv rose to 26, including a 10-year-old girl with a leg injury, the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office reported. Kyiv city endured two air raid alerts with a short pause in between, lasting over 12 hours in total. 

Five ambulances were damaged during the Russian attack while responding to emergency calls in Kyiv. According to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, the vehicles were struck as they attempted to reach injured civilians. No medics were reported wounded.

The attack also impacted the city’s railway infrastructure. Ukrzaliznytsia reported damage caused by falling debris, forcing passenger trains heading west to take alternate routes, resulting in delays of up to two hours.

Update: Casualties outside Kyiv

Russian drones injured two men in Kryvyi Rih, the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration reported.

Ukrainian forces launched a successful maritime drone strike overnight on 2 July, destroying a high-value Russian Nebo-M radar complex near the village of Mayak on northwestern Crimea’s Tarkhankut Cape. The assault, captured on video and confirmed through satellite imagery, further highlights Ukraine’s evolving drone capabilities and further depletes Russian air defense systems on the occupied peninsula.

Footage reveals advanced maritime drone tactics

According to Krymsky Veter, a Ukrainian military-linked Telegram channel, Ukrainian naval drones carried out the attack, striking two Nebo-M radars and their command cabin. Footage, shared by the Krymskyi Veter and X account @bayraktar_1love, shows a quadcopter launch from a maritime drone platform and dropping munitions directly on their targets — a capability that had not been publicly demonstrated before.

The channel did not mention the unit responsible for the operation, but the video footage features the emblem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with insignia that may belong to the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center or the Special Operations Center South — Ukraine’s naval spetsnaz unit within its Special Operations Forces (SSO). 

The @bayraktar_1love’s version of the footage includes drone launches:

Russian milbloggers express frustration

Krymsky Veter shared a screenshot from a Russian milblogger channels reacting to the incident on 2 July, reading:“We don’t want to comment on today’s attack on Tarkhankut, because we’d have to swear,” indicating clear frustration among Russian sources.

The source did not specify the target or results but stated that Ukrainian drones were reportedly launched from a maritime drone, and that a relay transmitter over the sea was extending the signal. It also noted the drones allegedly operated on 700–900 MHz frequencies, and hinted on the incompetence of Russian electronic warfare system operators who failed to jam the incoming drones, asking:

“Turns out (or didn’t turn out) that EW systems with frequencies of 1200–1600 MHz don’t neutralize them? Maybe because it’s 5 watts per band? Or maybe it has another purpose?”

Nebo-M system destroyed near Mayak village

Krymsky Veter provided further detail the next day, 3 July, confirming the destruction of the Nebo-M complex near Mayak village. The Nebo-M is a mobile radar system capable of detecting aerodynamic and ballistic objects at medium and high altitudes. The complex includes the meter-band radar module Nebo-SVU, the decimeter-band module Protivnik-GE, and a command cabin — all reportedly eliminated in the strike. Additionally, the system may also include a centimeter-band radar.

According to later update by Krymsky Veter, Ukrainian forces employed naval drones and strike UAVs “Lazar”. A 55Zh6M “Nebo-M” radar system was destroyed, consisting of three components:

• a meter-band radar module 55Zh6M “Nebo-M”;
• a decimeter-band radar module 55Zh6M “Nebo-M”;
• the command and control cabin of the 55Zh6M “Nebo-M” system.

The equipment is estimated to cost around $100 million, underlining the significance of the target. The detection radius of the Nebo-M complex spans up to 600 km, with the ability to track up to 200 targets simultaneously.

A later update from Krymsky Veter, citing satellite imagery, confirmed burn marks on the eastern outskirts of Mayak village, matching the location of the destroyed radar complex.

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A powerful explosion killed Manolis Pilavov, the long-serving head of the so-called “Luhansk City Administration” under Russian occupation. It remains unclear whether the deadly incident was a Ukrainian SBU special operation or the result of internal criminal infighting among Russian-controlled structures that dominate the occupied city.

Explosion strikes on central Luhansk street

The blast occurred in the heart of Russian-occupied Luhansk, reportedly on Tarasa Shevchenka Street. Russian state agency TASS confirmed the explosion and the death of Manolis Pilavov. According to early reports cited by Militarnyi, an explosive device had been planted inside a trash bin and detonated precisely as Pilavov walked past.

Footage from the explosion site shows a house on Tarasa Shevchenka about 300 meters from the museum:

Blast in occupied Luhansk reportedly kills 2

So far, it is unclear if the victims are linked to the occupation authorities and/or the incident to SBU operations.
TG/Exilenova+ pic.twitter.com/rOCePngLdt

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 3, 2025

The incident allegedly left one dead and three wounded, with one person in serious condition, according to the Russian-controlled occupation administration as of 13:00. RIA Novosti, another Russian propaganda outlet, reported that the explosion took place near the Luhansk Regional Museum, where an exhibition dedicated to the Russian military operation Pipe – Russian troops who crawled through the disused Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline in Kursk Oblast to attack Ukrainian units from the rear.

A long-serving collaborator’s rise and fall

Manolis Pilavov was born in Luhansk and studied at the Luhansk Agricultural Institute. Before 2014, he worked in the city’s housing and communal services sector, served as deputy mayor, headed the municipal utility Luhanskvoda, and was elected to the city council as a member of now fugitive president Yanukovych’s Party of Regions. From September to November 2009, he also served as president of the Zorya football club.

After the Russian occupation of Luhansk began in 2014, Pilavov seized control of the city apparatus, becoming the de facto leader of the so-called “Luhansk City Administration.” He was formally appointed by then “LNR” head Ihor Plotnytskyi and held the post until November 2023. Over the years, Pilavov received several awards and honors from both the Russian Federation and the so-called “LNR.”

Wanted by Ukraine for terrorism

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had listed Pilavov as wanted on charges including the violent overthrow of constitutional order, violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and creating a terrorist organization.

UPDATE

Sources within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told Suspilne that the SBU was behind the operation to eliminate Manolis Pilavov.

Late on 2 July, the Pentagon and the US State Department have confirmed the Trump administration’s decision to suspend certain arms supplies to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Officials described the Ukraine arms pause as part of a broader capability review to prioritize US defense readiness and the President’s “America First” foreign policy.

Pentagon says weapons “review” is “common sense” step

At a Pentagon briefing on 2 July, Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell stated the Department of Defense continues to offer the president “robust options” on Ukraine aid, in line with his goal of ending the war. Parnell emphasized the pause is part of a “capability review” to align support with national defense priorities and “preserving US military readiness.”

“We will not be providing any updates to specific quantities or types of munitions being provided to Ukraine,” Parnell said, insisting the move is a “common sense, pragmatic step” towards evaluation “what munitions are sent and where.”

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Russian battlefield gains expected after US aid pause, ISW warns

He added,

“Let it be known that our military has everything that it needs to conduct any mission, anywhere, anytime.”

When questioned about the risk that the Ukraine arms pause might embolden Russia, Parnell replied that peace remains Trump’s highest aspiration, not explaining how it may stop Russia.

“Our job at the Department of Defense is to pursue the president’s America First agenda and make sure that we achieve peace through strength throughout the world,” he stated.

No clarity on timeline or weapons affected

When pressed for details about when the aid pause began or what weapons are being held back, Parnell declined to answer.

“Ultimately, the President and the Secretary will make those decisions about what happens with those weapon systems,” he said.

He also criticized the Biden administration’s prior Ukraine policy, stating it gave away weapons “without really thinking about how many we have.”

“The President’s strategic outset with regards to Ukraine and Russia has been one of peace,” Parnell said, referring to Trump’s months-long failed attempt to force Ukraine and Russia into a peace deal — once again confirming the administration’s continued reliance on an unrealistic diplomatic effort.

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FT opinion: Russia may last a year. Ukraine risks collapse within half a year without urgent aid

State Dept claims arms assistance continues

During a press briefing on 2 July, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce echoed that diplomacy remains Washington’s focus. She stressed that the Department of Defense manages weapons decisions and repeated that the administration’s goal is a “durable, negotiated settlement” between Russia and Ukraine.

Responding to concerns over the timing and communication of the aid pause — Kyiv said it had not received any official notifications — Bruce claimed,

“Our communication lines with Ukraine have always been robust,” but declined to clarify how or when Ukraine was allegedly informed.

Bruce stated,

“This is not a cessation of us assisting Ukraine or of providing weapons. This is one event in one situation.”

Ukrainian defense forces have destroyed or damaged nearly half of the Russian drone pilot positions identified along the Zaporizhzhia frontline, according to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense.

Dronocide operation targets Russian drone pilots

HUR stated that Ukrainian units located 90 positions and residential locations used by Russian operators of strike and reconnaissance drones along the Zaporizhzhia front. Of those, 42 sites have been destroyed or damaged, according to the report.

The effort is part of a comprehensive counter-drone operation code-named Dronocide, focused on targeting and eliminating Russian UAV operator infrastructure.

The campaign is being executed by the Department of Active Operations of HUR, the Air Force Command, the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade, the 128th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, the Flight Skull unit from the Drone Systems Forces, and the Operational-Tactical Grouping of Forces Zaporizhzhia along with the Operational-Strategic Grouping Tavria.

Month-long campaign shows results

The Dronocide operation has evolved into what HUR described as a “month of annihilation” for Russian drone pilots. Coordinated Ukrainian forces have launched precision strikes on positions housing enemy drone crews, eliminating threats to Ukrainian front-line troops and infrastructure.

HUR released dramatic video footage showing the moments Russian positions were “turned into molecules” during some of the targeted bomb and drone strikes.

An Estonian court found that Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, ordered arson attacks in Estonia, including the firebombing of a Ukrainian-themed restaurant in Tallinn. The attacks were part of a wider Russian sabotage campaign aimed at destabilizing Western nations and undermining their support for Ukraine.

GRU ordered firebombing operations via Moldovan nationals

On 2 July, the Harju County Court in Estonia sentenced two Moldovan nationals, both named Ivan Chihaial, in connection to arson attacks carried out in January 2024, Euronews and ERR reported. One was convicted of directly executing the operations and received six and a half years in prison. The other, his cousin, was sentenced to two and a half years as an accomplice.

The court stated that the primary perpetrator was working on behalf of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. His first mission, according to the court, was a 2024 trial operation involving the arson of a co-op supermarket in Osula, a village in southeastern Estonia. The next day, GRU operatives instructed him to target the Slava Ukraini (“Glory to Ukraine”) restaurant in Tallinn.

Attack on Slava Ukraini restaurant executed overnight on 31 January

Court documents revealed that on the night of 31 January, the main suspect and his cousin traveled to Tallinn and set fire to the Slava Ukraini restaurant. The cousin was reportedly unaware of the GRU connection.

According to the court ruling, at 4:30 a.m. on 31 January, the older Chihaial smashed a window of the Slava Ukraini restaurant, threw in a can of gasoline, and set the building on fire. Meanwhile, the younger Chihaial filmed the arson from across the street; the footage was later uploaded to YouTube by the GRU. After the attack, both suspects left Estonia.

Estonia’s State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas stated that cooperation among Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish authorities was instrumental in tracking and arresting the men in Italy. They were extradited back to Estonia to face charges.

GRU’s use of foreign nationals signals recruitment challenges

The Estonian Internal Security Service noted that the GRU’s use of Moldovans instead of Russian citizens indicates growing difficulty in recruiting operatives from within Russia. Estonia has previously faced Russian cyberattacks and vandalism targeting vehicles of outspoken anti-Kremlin figures.

The United States has halted key weapons deliveries to Ukraine, a move that think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warns could accelerate Russian battlefield gains and force Ukrainian troops to conserve dwindling resources. The suspension, which affected munitions already staged in Poland, caught Ukrainian authorities off guard and threatens to weaken Ukraine’s ability to hold the line.

Ukraine not notified before US halted weapons

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense stated that no official notification was given prior to the US announcement about the aid suspension. The New York Times reported US officials as saying the munitions weren’t scheduled for delivery for several months, but the Wall Street Journal contradicted this, noting that deliveries already staged in Poland were halted as of 1 July. Politico cited a Trump administration official as saying no additional aid has been requested, but that remaining Biden-era packages could sustain Ukraine “several more months.”

Ukrainian forces continue to husband matériel

A deputy battalion commander told the Washington Post in a 2 July article that Ukrainian troops are now focused on holding defensive positions rather than advancing. This echoes past situations when US aid suspensions forced Ukrainian forces to ration air defense interceptors, GMLRS rockets, and artillery shells.

While European partners are increasing support and Ukraine’s domestic defense industry is expanding, ISW assessed that only the United States can provide some crucial systems at the necessary scale and speed.

“Ukrainian forces very likely will have to conserve materiel again should the United States continue to suspend weapons deliveries,” ISW wrote.

Russian offensives benefit from past US aid delays

According to ISW, past pauses in US assistance have created openings for Russian forces. During the fall 2023 and winter-spring 2024 suspensions – when the US Congress Republicans delayed approving the Ukraine aid funding for six months.

During this period, Russian troops intensified offensives, particularly around Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast. In January 2024, Russia ramped up its assault on the settlement, eventually capturing it in February while Ukrainian troops were constrained by artillery shortages. These conditions allowed Russia to sustain offensive momentum, aiming westward and launching further attacks toward Pokrovsk during spring 2024, when aid was still delayed.

ISW assessed that between 6 December 2023, when the US aid pause began, and 24 April 2024, when it resumed, Russian troops advanced roughly three kilometers per day — especially in Donetsk Oblast.

In contrast, during the previous six months, Russia had lost around 203 square kilometers due to Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, which was heavily supported by US and allied military aid.

Why the pause happened: US reviews global commitments

Politico reported that the Trump administration made the decision in early June 2025 to hold off on certain deliveries, but the effect only became clear in early July. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed on 1 July that the decision followed a Department of Defense review of US global military assistance. NBC, citing six defense and congressional officials, said the Pentagon ordered the pause while it reassessed stockpiles, and that the delay could be extended if stock levels remain low or if US needs elsewhere take precedence.

Kyiv urges resumption of aid

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized on 2 July that timely delivery of allocated US defense aid remains critical, especially to bolster air defenses. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that delays would embolden Russia to continue its war and avoid negotiating peace. Ukrainian diplomats noted ongoing talks with Washington to find a path forward that supports Ukraine’s defense needs.

In the early hours of 3 July, Ukrainian drones targeted multiple sites across four Russian oblasts and occupied Crimea, including a confirmed strike on the Energiya defense battery factory in Yelets and an attempt to strike the military airfield in Lipetsk. Local officials and eyewitness footage confirm explosions and fires, while Moscow claims to have downed 69 UAVs in total.

Drone strike hits defense battery manufacturer in Yelets

According to eyewitness footage published news Telegram channels, Ukrainian drones hit the Energiya plant in Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast. The factory is the largest producer of sealed lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries for Russia’s military, including systems ranging from UAVs to intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Russian Telegram channel Astra reports that a drone struck the factory’s parking area, igniting several vehicles and damaging nearby infrastructure. Explosions and heavy smoke were seen in the area. The Lipetsk Oblast Governor Igor Artamonov confirmed a drone fell near an enterprise parking lot, causing a fire and triggering the evacuation of nearby plant workers. Footage of this fire also shows that windows were shattered in the nearby building of the plant.

One of the clips, featuring the black smoke rising from the parking lot, captured an additional strike on the plant. 

Drones target Russia's military-grade batteries maker and airbase

Energiya factory in Yelets was last hit in May. In Lipetsk, drones seem to have been intercepted before reaching the airfield.https://t.co/q8IyqvZFCL
TG/Exilenova+ pic.twitter.com/GANUZnyEFs

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 3, 2025

Airfield in Lipetsk targeted

Local authorities did not provide specifics on the airfield impact, but explosions were reported in Lipetsk city and across the oblast.

Artamonov claimed that drone fragments allegedly hit a detached house, killing one civilian and injuring two more. Another UAV ostensibly hit a section of an under-construction apartment building in Yelets.

Explore further

Videos show Russian ammo stockpile spectacularly destroyed in occupied Donetsk Oblast’s Khartsyzk

Voronezh Oblast also targeted

Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev stated via Telegram that drone fragments damaged the roofs of two detached houses in Voronezh. The strike also knocked down a power line, leaving a local village without electricity. 

Russia claims mass drone interception

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in the morning that air defense systems allegedly shot down 69 Ukrainian drones: 27 over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Voronezh, 10 over Lipetsk, 8 over Kursk, and 2 over occupied Crimea.

Despite the scale of the incident, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov and acting Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein made no public comment on the attacks.

Flight restrictions and fire in Tambov

Astra reported that Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency temporarily restricted flights at airports in Tambov, and Samara amid the drone threat.

Separately, acting Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov reported a fire at an unspecified enterprise in the city of Kotovsk overnight on 3 July. He said the blaze, believed to have been caused by a technological malfunction, killed three employees and injured three others.

Kotovsk hosts several industrial plants, including facilities for plastics, equipment, and a gunpowder factory.

Pervyshov did not connect the incident to any drone activity.

Powerful explosions and detonation erupted in the Russian-occupied city of Khartsyzk, Donetsk Oblast, late on 2 July. Multiple reports and videos from local sources point to a possible Ukrainian strike targeting an ammunition depot deep behind Russian lines.

Nighttime blast and detonation captured on video

Loud explosions occurred in Khartsyzk, accompanied by a strong detonation. Local residents shared videos showing the moment of impact and the subsequent fire. The footage, widely circulated on Telegram, depicted a large blast, followed by intense flames and a heavy smoke column.

The town has been under Russian control since 2014. 

Possible Ukrainian strike on Russian ammunition depot

OSINT Telegram channel KiberBoroshno believes that the strike hit a former industrial storage facility. They stated,

“The area was marked as an ‘abandoned industrial warehouse for explosives,’ covered by a Tor air defense system, but it didn’t help.”

More footage of the last night's attack.

Occupied since 2014, Khartsyzk is a key logistics hub for Russian forces and has seen previous attacks in 2022 and January 2025.
TG/Supernova+ pic.twitter.com/kGPWb726BY

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 3, 2025

Although the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not issued an official confirmation, the nature of the explosion strongly suggests a successful strike on a key Russian military site.

The head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, also indicated that the location likely housed a Russian ammunition depot. The Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ echoed that claim, captioning the shared clips as “Strike on an ammo storage in Khartsyzk.”

More footage of the last night's attack.

Occupied since 2014, Khartsyzk is a key logistics hub for Russian forces and has seen previous attacks in 2022 and January 2025.
TG/Supernova+ pic.twitter.com/kGPWb726BY

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 3, 2025

Quisling official’s claims

Victoria Zhukova, a representative of Russia’s occupation administration in the Khartsyzk district, acknowledged that many residents reported shattered windows in apartment buildings. She also noted complaints about heavy smoke in the aftermath of the explosion.

This incident is not the first strike on Russian targets in Khartsyzk. In January 2025, Ukrainian forces reported hitting a Russian army command post in the city. Earlier, in 2022, another ammunition warehouse in the occupied city exploded.

Overnight on 3 July, Russia launched a massive drone attack across Ukraine, hitting multiple civilian locations including a residential building in Odesa, injuring five people—among them two children. The Ukrainian Air Force says air defenses have downed 40 of 52 Russian Shahed and decoy drones. At the same time, Russia continues its “human safari” in Kherson: a Russian drone dropped explosives, injuring a civilian man this morning. 

Russia conducts drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian residential areas every night.

Mass drone assault across Ukraine

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the Russian military deployed 52 drones—mostly Iranian-made Shahed strike UAVs along with decoy drones—from the directions of Oryol, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia. The attack began around 21:30 on 2 July and continued into the early hours of 3 July.

Ukrainian air defenses reportedly neutralized 40 of the drones: 22 were shot down by firepower, and 18 were suppressed or lost through electronic warfare.

The Air Force confirmed drone impacts in seven separate locations and the fall of downed drones in at least one additional area.

Odesa: civilians injured, high-rise damaged

In Odesa, one of the most heavily affected cities, a Russian drone strike damaged a nine-story residential building. The State Emergency Service (DSNS) of Odesa Oblast report that the fire spread across apartments on the seventh, eighth, and ninth floors.

Five people were injured in the strike, including a seven-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl. The Odesa Oblast Military Administration stated that the children were hospitalized with smoke inhalation, while the other three victims received outpatient care.

Rescue teams evacuated 50 residents from the damaged building, including 11 people from the upper floors. DSNS spokesperson Maryna Averina confirmed the collapse of structural elements, and that specialized equipment is being used to monitor the building for further risks.

Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said that significant damage was observed in at least one entrance of the high-rise, adding that a full assessment will follow after emergency crews remove dangerous debris.

According to the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, six apartments were destroyed, 36 more were partially damaged, and other civilian infrastructure in the area also sustained impact.

Update: Poltava targeted

On the morning of 3 July, Poltava came under a Russian air attack, with local media reporting a strike on the so-called Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center – the regional draft office.

Poltava Oblast Military Administration head Volodymyr Kohut reported an air raid alert at 08:04 and the all-clear at 09:04. Between those times, he confirmed explosions in the city but gave no further details.

Local Telegram channel “We Poltava” said the building of the draft office was likely hit, sharing footage from the site. No casualties have been reported so far.

Kherson: Russian reconnaissance drone attacks civilian

In Kherson, Russian drones continued their ongoing pattern of deliberately targeting civilians, known as “human safari.” The Kherson Oblast State Administration reported that early in the morning, a drone struck a 74-year-old man in the Dniprovskiy District. The victim sustained an explosive injury, concussion, and shrapnel wounds to his face and leg. He was hospitalized in moderate condition.

Air defense activity in Zaporizhzhia

At 02:20, air defense systems were active in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This was confirmed by the head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov. No additional details were given regarding damage or injuries in that oblast at the time.

Three former US ambassadors to Romania have written that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s failed attempt to manipulate the country’s 2024 presidential election through digital warfare represents a new battleground for democratic sovereignty. In a Politico opinion piece, the retired diplomats argue that Romania’s successful resistance offers a blueprint for defending Western democracies against authoritarian interference.

Former diplomats describe Putin’s digital invasion strategy

Mark Gitenstein, Adrian Zuckerman and Jim Rosapepe write that Putin spent millions of dollars attempting to install a pro-Russian president in Romania through what they characterize as a sophisticated social media manipulation campaign.

The diplomats contend that Putin’s strategy involved boosting candidate Călin Georgescu from complete obscurity to capturing 21% of the vote in just two weeks through TikTok, Telegram and other platforms. They describe this “social media blitzkrieg” as a “Leninist-style effort to destroy democracy in Romania” designed to undermine US, NATO, and EU security interests.

Ex-ambassadors argue intelligence intervention proved crucial

The former diplomats write that Romanian and Western intelligence services successfully uncovered what they call a “stealth invasion” of the country’s electoral process. They argue that the discovery of serious violations of electoral law and foreign interference led to the constitutional court’s extraordinary decision to annul the first round and order a complete do-over.

According to the opinion piece, Georgescu violated Romanian law by claiming he neither raised campaign contributions nor incurred campaign expenses while benefiting from the multimillion-dollar Russian operation. The authors contend this exposed the candidate as having “a malevolent benefactor in Putin.”

Former ambassadors claim voter surge demonstrated democratic resilience

The retired diplomats write that when the second round was held, Romanian citizens responded to the crisis with “clarity and courage,” driving turnout from the average 51% to nearly 65%. They argue that voters chose the democratic, pro-NATO path by a decisive 54% to 46% margin, effectively rejecting Putin’s interference.

The three former ambassadors reveal they had publicly urged Romanians to reject the Russia-backed candidate in what they describe as an unprecedented intervention. “We couldn’t silently stand by and allow the patently false Russia-driven propaganda to go unchallenged,” they write, explaining their decision to issue an open letter with four other former US ambassadors.

Ex-diplomats argue Putin adapted KGB tactics for digital age

The opinion piece argues that Putin’s approach evolved from his KGB background after failing to capture Kyiv militarily. The authors write that “never far from his KGB roots, the Russian president realizes public opinion can be manipulated and shaped by political proxies and propaganda beholden to Russia’s strongman.” They contend this represents a long-standing Soviet strategy to destroy Western democracies from within, now deployed through social media platforms.

Ex-ambassadors warn about upcoming European election threats

The retired diplomats argue that “Putin’s war on democracy continues” beyond Romania, writing that fall elections in Moldova, Estonia, Georgia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and other European nations “are all ripe for interference.” They contend that cracking down on violations of election laws is imperative before propaganda can take hold.

Ukraine’s long-range strike drone UJ-26 Bober (“Beaver”) has been upgraded with a manual operator control system similar to that of first-person-view (FPV) drones, along with thermal imaging and a high-quality data transmission channel—marking a major advancement in the country’s drone warfare capabilities.

Bober drone gets FPV-like manual guidance and thermal vision

Militarnyi reports that Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has received a modified version of the Ukrainian-made UJ-26 drone developed by Ukrjet. This upgraded strike UAV features an FPV-style manual control system, allowing operators to guide it in real-time. The drone is now equipped with a thermal imaging camera and an unspecified communication system that ensures high-quality video transmission all the way to impact.

Read more on this particular attack in our previous report:

Ukrainian drones just lit up Russian-occupied Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk — here’s how (video)

The enhanced imagery from these drones was previously observed during missions conducted by the Prymary unit. At the time, Russian milbloggers claimed that fixed-wing drones used in those operations might have included built-in Starlink satellite communication terminals.

Control delays hint at satellite link usage

Despite the improved image quality from the thermal camera, Militarnyi notes that the drone’s control remains relatively sluggish. This could indicate a high signal transmission delay between the UAV and the operator’s console, lending credibility to the theory of a satellite communication link, possibly Starlink, being used.

Possibly increased payload potential shown in Crimea strike

The latest attack on the Saky airfield in occupied Crimea highlighted the drone’s operational capability. The required flight distance was under half the Bober’s maximum combat radius, suggesting it may have carried a heavier warhead. The standard payload is estimated to be just 20 kilograms, Militarnyi notes.

Catapult launch boosts range, raises deployment questions

The launch footage released shows a Bober drone being catapulted rather than taking off from a runway. This launch method requires a large launching platform but eliminates the need for landing gear. As a result, it improves the drone’s aerodynamics and extends its range. However, this approach may limit the rapid deployment of multiple UAVs, since each unit needs time-consuming setup on its launcher. A possible solution could involve pre-positioning drones already airborne, though that strategy introduces its own challenges.

From strategic to tactical: the shifting nature of drone warfare

Militarnyi notes that the introduction of upgraded UJ-26 Bober drones—alongside the Russian modifications of the Iranian Shahed-236 UAVs—marks a new phase in the drone warfare. 

“The ‘drone war,’ with the increase in production of heavy long-range drones, is shifting from the strategic to the tactical level—they are increasingly being used to strike individual combat units in the rear,” Militarnyi says.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that 47 Russian drones were intercepted overnight on 1 July during a major air assault involving 52 UAVs launched from multiple directions. This comes as part of an ongoing Russian escalation in daily aerial assaults, with nearly 4,800 aerial targets destroyed across Ukraine in June 2025 alone.

Overnight drone assault targets multiple oblasts

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 52 drones — including Shahed-type strike drones and decoy UAVs — from Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. By 09:00 on 1 July, Ukrainian air defenses had reportedly neutralized 47 drones: 14 by firepower, and 33 suppressed or jammed by electronic warfare systems.

The attacks impacted at least three locations, with wreckage from shot-down drones falling in another, according to the report.

Fires and destruction in Zaporizhzhia

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, four Russian drone struck Zaporizhzhia city and surrounding areas, causing a fire at an industrial site and damaging detached homes. Oblast Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov reported the damage early on 1 July, noting there were no casualties in those specific strikes.

However, later in the day, authorities confirmed several civilian injuries from other Russian strikes. A 56-year-old man was injured in a Russian attack on Polohy district. Two more civilians — a 49-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man — sustained injuries in Preobrazhenska community.

In the Stepnohirsk community, Russian artillery and FPV drone attacks disrupted critical infrastructure. As a result, the area was left without electricity, internet, or mobile communication. A power crew vehicle was damaged and two workers suffered concussions, Fedorov reported. 

Over the past day, Russian forces conducted 403 attacks on 13 settlements in the oblast. These included four airstrikes on Hulyaipole, Novoandriivka, and Verkhnya Tersa, 271 drone attacks (mostly FPV), and 122 artillery shellings. Kamyanske, Hulyaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charyvne, and Preobrazhenka were among the hardest hit.

Drone attacks in Dnipropetrovsk target farms

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, overnight drone strikes hit farming enterprises in the Pokrovska and Velykomykhailivska communities of Synelnykove district. According to Oblast head Serhii Lysak, fires broke out, destroying and damaging vehicles and agricultural machinery. No injuries were reported.

Further attacks in Nikopol district included artillery shelling and FPV drone strikes targeting the district center as well as Myrivska and Chervonohryhorivska communities. An unused building was damaged, with no casualties.

Air Force details June results

Ukraine’s Air Force disclosed that in June 2025, air defense forces destroyed 4,758 aerial targets, including:

• 2,453 Shahed-type strike drones
• 659 reconnaissance drones
• 1,479 drones of other types
• 93 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles
• 27 Iskander-K cruise missiles
• 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
• 12 Kalibr cruise missiles
• 13 Kh-59/69 guided missiles
• 8 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles

In addition, Ukrainian aviation conducted 895 sorties in May, including approximately 580 for fighter cover and over 220 for fire missions and air support.

Air Force aviation also reported destroying 646 aerial targets in June and conducting precision strikes on command posts, logistics hubs, and concentrations of enemy troops and equipment.

On 1 July 2025, Ukrainian strike drones carried out a major long-range attack on Russian military infrastructure, striking the Kupol Electromechanical Plant in Izhevsk, about 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine. The facility is a major site for the production of Tor air defense systems and combat UAVs.

Ukrainian Liutyi drones target Kupol

Multiple clips from Izhevsk, shared by local residents, confirm that Ukrainian Liutyi drones struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant in the early morning of 1 July.

Eyewitness footage captured explosions and subsequent fires at the site. Ukrainian Telegram channels Exilenova+ and CyberBoroshno geolocated the strike site based on available videos. Their analysis confirmed that the main facility of Kupol had been hit.

Exilenova+ and Ukraine Context Telegram channels shared videos from Izhevsk showing a Liutyi flyover, strikes, and the aftermath, including fires at the facility.

Based on footage, Telegram channels Exilenova+ and CyberBoroshno confirmed that the Kupol plant was the target of the attack. pic.twitter.com/sC1xOAgUiw

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 1, 2025

Videos reveal that Russian personnel attempted to shoot down incoming UAVs using small arms fire.

This long-range attack inside Russia occurred simultaneously with Ukrainian strikes in occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea:

Explore further

Ukrainian drones just lit up Russian-occupied Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk — here’s how (video)

Astra confirms strike and location

According to the Russian news Telegram channel Astra, at least two drones attacked the Kupol factory five minutes apart. The videos showed a high chimney characteristic of the plant’s premises and a tall residential building at 7A 30 Let Pobedy Street, located one block away from the facility.

Telegram channel Ukraine Context shared footage showing a flyover of the Ukrainian Liutyi drones in Izhevsk, and the strikes on the military plant.

One of the clips features the sounds of secondary detonations before a larger explosion. pic.twitter.com/VnU7yk61UM

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 1, 2025

Kupol’s strategic role and sanctions

Founded in 1957, Kupol is one of Russia’s key defense enterprises. According to its director Fanil Ziyatdinov, as cited by Rossiyskaya Gazeta in 2023, the factory also produces Samam-M1 and Adjutant training complexes and services them. In July 2023, Reuters reported that Kupol began manufacturing Garpiya-A1 strike drones using Chinese-made components.

Due to its role in supporting Russia’s war effort, the European Union added Kupol to its sanctions list on 16 December 2022. The US, Canada, Ukraine, and Switzerland have imposed similar sanctions, citing its role in supplying weapons to the Russian military.

This was the second drone strike on Kupol since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The first attack occurred in November 2024, as Euromaidan Press reported.

Simultaneous drone attacks across Russia

In the same early hours of 1 July, other parts of Russia came under drone attack. According to regional governors and Russian propagandist media, drones hit Rostov and Saratov oblasts.

Astra reported explosions in Saratov and Engels, and a temporary suspension of airport operations in Saratov.

Rosaviatsia spokesperson Artem Korenyako stated that airports in Ulyanovsk, Kazan, and Nizhnekamsk were also closed.

Acting governor of Rostov Oblast Yurii Sliusar claimed air defense downed drones over several areas, including Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, Novoshakhtinsk, and multiple districts.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed air defenses had shot down 60 drones overnight. Reportedly, 17 were downed over Crimea, 16 over Rostov Oblast, 11 over the Azov Sea, 5 over Kursk Oblast, 4 over Saratov Oblast, and others over Voronezh and Oryol oblasts.

Missile threat declared deep inside Russia

According to RIA Novosti, Astrakhan airport imposed temporary flight restrictions.

A Russian military airfield is located just two kilometers from Akhtubinsk. The site was last attacked in June 2024, when Ukrainian intelligence reported strikes on two Su-57 fighter jets — the first ever confirmed hit on these aircraft.

The missile alert was lifted at 00:18 local time, though authorities warned of a continued threat of “provocations by the enemy.”

Police in Azerbaijan’s capital raided the local office of Russia’s state media outlet Sputnik, detaining two suspected Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents. The operation highlights escalating tensions between Baku and Moscow following a deadly Russian police raid on ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg.

Police detain FSB agents during raid

On 30 June 2025, Azerbaijani police conducted an operation at the Baku office of Sputnik Azerbaijan, a local branch of the Russian state agency Russia Today. APA reports that two Russian FSB agents working at the agency were detained during the raid. Qafqazinfo confirmed that law enforcement placed the office under control, and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs verified the operation, promising further information.

The Ministry said that despite its accreditation being revoked in February 2025. According to APA, The decision aimed to ensure parity between Azerbaijani state media operating abroad and foreign journalists working in the country. In other words, the number of Sputnik Azerbaijan journalists in Baku was to be equal to that of AZERTAC journalists in Russia. However, Sputnik Azerbaijan did not comply with the decision and continued its activities throughout the period through “illegal financing,” according to WP. Local staff reportedly never ceased their activities even after the suspension was announced earlier this year.

Moscow responds angrily to arrests

According to RIA Novosti, the two detained individuals were Sputnik Azerbaijan’s editor-in-chief Yevgeny Belousov and director Igor Kartavykh. In reaction to the arrests, Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijani Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev and protested what it claimed to be the “illegal detention of Russian journalists,” Interfax reports.

The raid came shortly after Russia’s own crackdown on ethnic Azerbaijanis inside its territory. On 27 June, Russian police in Yekaterinburg detained nine Azerbaijani citizens accused of murders dating back to the early 2000s. During the operation, two Azerbaijani brothers, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, were killed, and several others were seriously injured.

Media war signals deeper breakdown in ties

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Azerbaijan’s ongoing restrictions on Russian state media and cultural events “would likely further deteriorate bilateral relations and undermine Russia’s influence in the south Caucasus, particularly as the Kremlin uses its media presence and cultural soft power abroad to further its objectives in the former Soviet space.”

In Gideon Rachman’s opinion piece for the Financial Times, the columnist argues that while both the Ukrainian and Russian militaries are approaching exhaustion, Ukraine’s position is more precarious, and the country could face military collapse within six months unless it receives urgent military support.

Diplomatic optics improve, but battlefield outlook darkens

The article opens with a nod to the recent NATO summit, where European leaders expressed relief after President Donald Trump’s participation went more smoothly than feared. Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy helped repair tensions following their strained February exchange, and NATO members pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Yet, the author notes, diplomatic optics from the summit cannot disguise the grim reality on the battlefield. NATO’s commitment to deterrence and increased spending may not be enough to prevent Ukraine’s collapse if material support does not arrive quickly.

Ukraine running out of men, ammo—and time

According to FT, both militaries are nearing exhaustion, but Russia’s larger population gives it an edge in sustaining operations for another year. In contrast, Ukraine could reach a breaking point within six months unless it receives substantial new Western aid. Even the possibility of new Patriot systems and HIMARS artillery rockets from the US remains uncertain, as Trump remained vague about future weapons deliveries.

Importantly, troop numbers cannot be fixed by foreign allies. Ukraine has suffered heavy casualties, and its manpower reserves are dwindling.

Rachman suggests that escalating Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities are not only inflicting physical damage but also damaging Ukrainian morale. That shift is reportedly evident in private appeals by Ukrainian officials for a ceasefire. Once considered defeatist, such calls are now increasingly urgent behind closed doors, the author writes.

Some optimism remains—but the clock is ticking

According to the author, some Western officials privately warn of a risk of “catastrophic failure” if Ukraine’s military is stretched past its limits and does not receive a significant surge in aid.

Despite the grim tone, Rachman notes that some analysts believe Ukraine can still hold out. These optimists argue that Russia has gained only 0.25% of Ukrainian territory in the past year, while Ukraine’s drone warfare has effectively prevented large-scale Russian advances. Others suggest that even if Russia breaches Ukrainian lines, it lacks the mechanized divisions to exploit the gains.

Still, as Rachman concludes, if the growing pessimism is justified, then the NATO summit’s feel-good atmosphere may soon fade. Even the alliance’s ever-smiling Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, may find it hard to keep smiling by year’s end.

Ukrainian forces launched massive strikes on Russian military infrastructure and logistical hubs in Russian-occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea overnight on 30 June into 1 July, using drones and missiles to hit high-value targets.

Oil depot in Luhansk hit during drone barrage

Loud explosions rocked occupied Luhansk overnight on 1 July, triggering large fires reportedly caused by Ukrainian drone strikes. According to Russian occupation authorities and Russian propaganda media cited by Liga, around 20 drones were spotted over Luhansk, prompting the introduction of a “caution regime” in several cities in the region, including Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch), Lutuhyne, Dovzhanask (formerly Sverdlovsk), Sukodolsk, and Bilokurakyne.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that Ukrainian forces struck Russian logistics facilities in Luhansk.

Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ published video footage of the strike, showing night-time explosions and flames rising from what they identified as the city’s only major oil depot, located in its southern outskirts.

In one video, locals filming the strike mention that four drones directly hit the facility. Another video shared on the channel shows two distinct clusters of fires and the sound of a drone flyby, with sounds of small arms fire as the Russian forces attempted to shoot it down.

Missile strike levels Russian military HQ in Donetsk

Earlier on the evening of 30 June, Ukrainian missiles hit a Russian military target in occupied Donetsk. Kovalenko referred to the strike as “jewelry work” and described the site as “very juicy.”

Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ shared footage of the attack, with one of the clips showing two consecutive explosions, and others a large fire. The channel claimed that Ukraine used Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles to strike the headquarters of Russia’s 8th Combined Arms Army, located at the Donetsk Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (DonIsSM). The Dnipro-based outlet Harbuz also attributed the attack to Storm Shadow missiles.

Some Ukrainian sources, including the Telegram page Kiberboroshno, alleged that the facility was involved in Russian drone and electronic warfare systems development. Russian channels attempted to downplay the strike by claiming no military personnel had been stationed in the building recently.

One video captured the immediate aftermath, showing several floors collapsed down to the basement. On-site rescuers speaking to people filming — presumed to be from Russia’s FSB security agency — described the scene using Russian military casualty codes — “300” for wounded and “200” for dead — confirming the presence of both.

Supernova+ commented that “the building was hit down to the basement… they’re carrying out ‘200s’ in packs.”

Meanwhile, local propaganda outlets confirmed the city had been targeted by Storm Shadow missiles and reported additional fires at the Sokol market. Unconfirmed reports suggested hits also occurred at a metallurgical plant and in the railway zone.

One of the Supernova-shared videos shows multiple strikes in Yasynuvata, Donetsk’s northern suburb, hosting a railway hub and multiple industrial facilities.

Drone strikes in Crimea knock out air defense and fighter jet

Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) released exclusive footage showing its UJ-26 Bober drones targeting Russian military systems in occupied Crimea. The video captures strikes on several key air defense assets, including the Pantsir-S1 SAM system, Niobiy-SV radar, Pechora-3 coastal radar, and Protivnik-GE radar. A Russian Su-30 fighter jet was also damaged or destroyed on the runway at the Saky airbase.

HUR commented:

“Reliable weapons in the hands of Ukrainian special forces are turning the enemy’s critical military assets into worthless junk.”

The attacks reflect a broader Ukrainian strategy of targeting critical Russian military and logistical infrastructure in occupied territories amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Germany to use its influence to persuade Hungary to support the European Union’s proposed 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that both Hungary and Slovakia have decided not to support the EU’s plan for the 18th round of sanctions against Russia. 

Kyiv urges Berlin to take leadership role

Speaking ahead of a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on 30 June, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for support of the latest sanctions proposal and stressed that European leaders are close to approving it. However, he acknowledged ongoing resistance from Hungary.

“We are grateful for the support of the 18th sanctions package against Russian aggression. I know that European leaders are very close to [approving] this package. I know there are still some misunderstandings with official Budapest,” Zelenskyy said, as reported by Ukrinform.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Germany, “as a European leader,” should take the initiative to engage Hungary diplomatically to help secure a united EU front.

Sanctions as a tool to pressure Russia

Zelenskyy underlined the strategic role of sanctions in holding Russia accountable. He stated that only strong economic measures can inflict real damage on the Russian economy and make Moscow feel the cost of its invasion of Ukraine.

“I believe it’s in the interest of all Europe that these packages against Russia’s aggression work — so that Russia feels the high cost of this war, and precisely through sanctions, its economy will suffer,” he stated.

Ukraine remains restrained toward Hungary

Despite Hungary’s opposition, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine continues to behave “very diplomatically, constructively” and constructively. He made clear that Kyiv has chosen not to retaliate against Budapest’s actions, prioritizing unity over conflict within the European bloc.

He added, “We would like to stay in a union of partners and friends. Ukraine always has something to respond with, but still, we are partners, and we have one enemy, and that is Russia.”

Since March 2022, Russia’s military intelligence quietly infiltrated NATO supply chains. A report shows how amid Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s GRU military intelligence blended into infrastructure, turning Poland’s logistics points and border crossings into a live surveillance feed of the military aid for Ukraine. This is according to a report by Polish authorities, issued in late May.

The findings confirm that Russia’s 85th Main Special Service Centre — known as Unit 26165, or APT28 (also referred to as Fancy Bear) — carried out targeted cyberattacks aimed at monitoring Western military support for Ukraine.

Release exposes GRU campaign

The report was issued by Poland’s Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) and the Internal Security Agency (ABW). It was “authored or endorsed” by cybersecurity and intelligence agencies from the United States (NSA, FBI), United Kingdom (National Cyber Security Centre), Germany (Federal Intelligence Service and Federal Office for Information Security), France, Canada, Estonia, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and others.

The report says that GRU unit 26165’s cyberespionage operations have struck Western logistics and tech sectors, affecting numerous government, private, and commercial organizations across multiple domains.

Russia’s state-sponsored cyberespionage campaign exploited vulnerabilities in commercial and government systems, hacked thousand private and public IP cameras across at least 13 countries — particularly at border crossings and logistics hubs — and compromised sea, air, and rail transport, logistics center operations, and even air traffic management. 

“The services and agencies authoring this publication assess that these activities will continue in the future in a similar form and manner, using comparable techniques,” the report warns.

The purpose of the report is “to warn potential victims and provide them with recommendations to help strengthen their protection against threats.”

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Tactics: Phishing, Malware, and Surveillance Hijacking

According to the report, GRU hackers exploited known software vulnerabilities and conducted spearphishing campaigns—targeted email attacks crafted to appear as legitimate messages from trusted institutions. These emails impersonated government agencies, logistics firms, and cloud service portals, and were tailored to specific organizations to trick recipients into revealing their login credentials.

Once inside, they exploited known software vulnerabilities, including:

• Microsoft Outlook (CVE-2023-23397)
• WinRAR (CVE-2023-38831)
• Roundcube Webmail (CVE-2020-12641, CVE-2020-35730, CVE-2021-44026)

Malware including HEADLACE, MASEPIE, and tools like Impacket and PsExec were used to maintain persistent access. Attackers elevated privileges, collected credentials, exfiltrated files, and altered email permissions to intercept internal communications for a long period of time without detection.

In some instances, they used “legitimate but vulnerable applications” such as IT remote support tools to move laterally through victim networks.

Working in coordination with CERT Polska – the Polish computer emergency response team – and international partners, SKW also identified and blocked GRU activity targeting software supply chains.

Real-Time Tracking Through Civilian IP Cameras

One of the most striking aspects of the campaign was its use of hijacked IP cameras — both public and privately owned — to monitor aid shipments in real time. According to the report, since March 2022, Russian hackers targeted over 10,000 internet-connected cameras in Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and other nearby countries.

These devices were accessed via default or weak credentials and streamed through protocols like RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol), often without the owners’ knowledge.

Footage was then likely analyzed to track the movement of military convoys, humanitarian aid, or strategic cargo.

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Widespread Targets: From Military Firms to IT Providers

The report says entities impacted included:

• Logistics and freight companies involved in transporting military equipment
• Air traffic management and radar communication services
• Ports
• IT services
• Defense sector and “at least one entity involved in the production of control systems (ICS) and railway line management“
• Public and private cameras, with device owners unaware of unauthorized access

Victims were identified in Poland, Ukraine, the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and others.

Operational depth: GRU maintained long-time presense in the system

The GRU’s access was persistent and often invisible. In compromised systems, attackers manipulated:

• Email inbox permissions to silently forward mail to external servers
• Domain controllers and Active Directory databases
• Scheduled tasks and Windows registry keys to maintain malware execution
• Local administrator privileges to gain full access to system tools

Authorities say the GRU’s campaigns involved the exfiltration of sensitive data, including files, email messages, and information about shipments and transport routes related to aid deliveries to Ukraine.

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Global coordination — and a warning

The report includes over 40 pages of technical guidance, urging all organizations — particularly in transport, logistics, IT, and surveillance sectors — to:

• Immediately patch known vulnerabilities
• Enforce multifactor authentication and least-privilege policies
• Audit remote access software and email forwarding rules
• Disable insecure protocols like Telnet, SMBv1, and RTSP where not essential
• Secure IP cameras with updated firmware and unique credentials

Poland’s final message: assume you’re a target

The reports has called on both public and private-sector entities to assume “that they are of interest to the GRU” and adopt zero-trust postures across networks.

“Cyberspace is now a real battlefield for national security. GRU activities target public institutions, companies, and citizens. We must speak out about this so that no one is surprised when they fall victim. It is our duty to inform, warn, and build resilience—together, across borders,” said Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski in a statement regarding the report.

Ukrainian forces have destroyed a rare M-1991 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) originating from North Korea, marking the first confirmed elimination of this type of weapon in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The drone strike was carried out by soldiers of the Raid battalion, which shared footage of the operation. The attack reportedly occurred in the Novopavlivka sector in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast.

Precision strike leads to massive detonation

Militarnyi notes that video footage published by the Raid battalion on Telegram shows FPV drone footage, targeting the MLRS. The strike hit one of the rockets inside the launcher pack, causing an unplanned launch that pierced the crew cabin. The impact also sparked a fire, which eventually destroyed the system.

North Korean M-1991: Cold War-era weapon in modern war

The M-1991 MLRS was introduced by North Korea’s military in the late 1980s. It features a 240 mm caliber and was designed as an attempt to replicate the Soviet “Uragan” system. The launcher carries 22 rockets and is mounted on a Chinese CQ25290 truck chassis. It requires a two-person crew along with a driver and commander.

Each rocket used by the M-1991 measures approximately 5.2 meters in length. While the original maximum range was around 60 kilometers, North Korean sources claimed in 2024 that it had been extended to 80 kilometers.

Ukrainian military intelligence reported that its drones successfully hit five valuable components of Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defense system during a covert operation in occupied Crimea. The attack was carried out by the elite Prymary (“Ghosts”) unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and targeted critical radar systems and a missile launcher. The agency did not share the details of the operation, but the short range of FPV drones suggests that those may have been launched from a maritime carrier drone, like in previous similar operations.

Operation by HUR’s Prymary hits S-400 system

On 26 June, Ukraine’s HUR announced that its special unit Prymary executed a drone attack that damaged or destroyed key components of the Russian S-400 system in Crimea. HUR stated:

“Prymary returns: HUR warriors strike enemy air defense systems in Crimea.”

The operation focused on high-value and technically advanced elements of the S-400. The components targeted included two 92N2E multifunction radar stations and two 91N6E detection radars, along with one S-400 missile launcher.

According to HUR, this targeted strike further weakens Russia’s ability to control the skies over the occupied peninsula.

Video footage released by HUR showed the FPV drone strikes hitting their intended targets.

Functionality of S-400 radars hit

As reported by Militarnyi, the 92N6E radar units are responsible for target detection, tracking, and missile guidance, capable of tracking up to 100 targets and guiding as many as 72 missiles simultaneously. The 91N6E radars, also struck during the operation, are used for long-range detection and target assignment within the missile complex.

The S-400 missile launcher reportedly hit in the attack was believed to be armed with missiles at the time.

S-400’s image continues to deteriorate in Ukraine war

Originally introduced as a successor to the Soviet-era S-300 system, Russia promoted the S-400 Triumf as one of the most powerful air defense systems in the world. Russia has actively exported the system and spread propaganda emphasizing its effectiveness.

However, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has repeatedly challenged those claims. Ukrainian drone operations in Russian-occupied Crimea have exposed vulnerabilities in the S-400 system.

According to open-source intelligence group Oryx, Ukrainian forces have visually confirmed the destruction of at least 18 S-400 launchers, 3 radars, and 3 tractor vehicles used in the complex since the all-out war began.

In the early hours of 27 June, Russia launched a wide-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, deploying hundreds of drones and eight missiles that targeted several oblasts. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept a significant number of the threats, though several cities still reported destruction and injuries.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a total of 371 aerial weapons against Ukraine overnight, including 363 strike drones—Shahed explosive drones and decoy UAVs—two Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, and six Kalibr cruise missiles.

The Air Force says 217 of these threats were destroyed by air defense systems, including 211 Shahed drones and all six Kalibr missiles. An additional 148 drones were classified as “location lost,” likely suppressed by electronic warfare systems.

The Southern Ukraine Defense Forces reported the destruction of 22 Shahed drones overnight.

The Air Force’s data show that at least 4 Shaheds and both Kinzhals may have reached their intended targets.

Major aerial assault centered on Starokostyantyniv

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the primary focus of the Russian attack was Starokostyantyniv in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. This city is known to host a key Ukrainian air base and has been a frequent target of Russian strikes.

Suspilne noted that the attack began with reports at 01:06 of a Kinzhal missile moving toward the oblast. By 01:58, Shahed-type drones were en route. At 03:27, the Air Force confirmed a group of Shaheds near Starokostyantyniv, followed by additional drone movements at 03:35 and again at 07:17.

During two separate air alerts — from 01:00 to 05:52 and from 07:11 to 07:34 — explosions were heard across the oblast.

Zaporizhzhia hit by drones overnight

Zaporizhzhia was also attacked by at least six Russian drones. Local authorities, including Oblast Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov, reported that the assault damaged a factory and a garage cooperative, causing a fire in the city. No casualties were reported.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: injuries and damage from FPV drone strikes

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, regional administration head Serhii Lysak reported that FPV drones targeted the Nikopol area, including the Pokrov and Marhanets communities. Four civilians were injured and received medical assistance.

Infrastructure damage included a medical outpatient clinic, an administrative building, three apartment blocks, a market, a store, vehicles, and power lines. Air defenses in the oblast managed to shoot down two missiles and five drones during the night.

In a separate update, Lysak confirmed that the death toll from the 24 June missile attack on Dnipro has risen to 21.

Poltava Oblast struck by falling drone debris

Poltava Oblast experienced damage caused by drone wreckage as air defense systems engaged Russian aerial targets. The oblast’s administration reported that drone fragments damaged vehicles and the premises of a supermarket in Kremenchuk.

Later updates confirmed damage to a healthcare facility’s building and equipment. No casualties were reported.

At a press conference last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to receive machine tools from abroad, naming eight Czech companies among the suppliers. Czech officials responded with claims of ignorance, but an investigation by a Russian outlet, The Insider, found at least twelve such firms had equipment sent to Russia during 2023 and 2024.

Zelenskyy’s remarks prompt official Czech reaction

Speaking on 21 June 2025, Zelenskyy alleged that the Russian defense industry is still being supplied with foreign machine tools, singling out Czech companies. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský replied that he does not know which companies are involved.

Meanwhile, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček promised to investigate the possible involvement of Czech businesses in supplying Russia’s defense industry. Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák acknowledged that Zelenskyy “might be right” and added that the possibility of Czech companies bypassing sanctions “would not surprise” him.

12 Czech companies exported machine tools to Russia

An investigation published by The Insider on 25 June revealed that at least 12 Czech companies exported machine tools into Russia in 2023 and 2024, often through countries such as Estonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Latvia. Based on Russian customs data, Czech machinery worth $18 million entered Russia in 2023, and $12 million in 2024. The bulk of this trade—around $8 million—came from just three manufacturers: Šmeral Brno, Varnsdorf, and TAJMAC-ZPS.

Sanction bypasses and subsidiaries used for delivery

According to The Insider, Czech tools reached Russia through indirect routes. One Russian recipient, JSC Pilous, 70% owned by Pilous-Pásové Pily, got bandsaws shipped via Serbia. Šmeral Brno still publicly lists Russia as a key export destination.

Czech machines linked to Russian drone hub

One delivery followed by The Insider went to a firm near a Shahed drone site in Russia’s Alabuga zone. The recipient, 60% owned by Czech firm Jihostroj, got a rack press built by its parent for use in gear pump production.

Russia uses the Iranian-designed Shahed drones, produced in Tatarstan’s Alabuga for daily attacks against Ukrainian cities.

Additional exporters active in 2023–2024

The Insider also identified five more Czech firms—N.Ko, Prestar, Tachtech, Stroje Zeman Trade, and Permico—that supplied metalworking equipment to Russia during 2023–2024. In total, their shipments were valued at roughly $500,000. The deliveries included pipe-cutting tools applicable to the energy sector. Several buyers were obscure entities, likely retail or specialized resellers. Among them, OOO “Takhtech Rus,” the Russian branch of Czech firm Tachtech, remains openly active in Russia as of 2025.

Permico s.r.o., another exporter, shipped a South Korean-made Doosan CNC lathe to Russia in 2024. The company denied having traded with Russia, but its public materials indicate it buys and sells used machinery across third countries.

South Korea’s intelligence service has revealed that North Korea is preparing to send its troops into Ukrainian territory to support Russian military operations, according to Reuters. The deployment may begin as early as July or August 2025, marking a major battlefield development in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 26 June that while Ukrainian troops maintain a limited presence in Kursk Oblast, North Korean involvement has so far remained outside Ukrainian borders. New intelligence indicates that these foreign troops may soon cross into Ukraine itself—constituting a significant battlefield inflection. The shift would allow Russia to strengthen its ability to conduct simultaneous offensive operations.

South Korean lawmaker: Deployment expected by August

Reuters, citing South Korean member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun, reported that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes Pyongyang is preparing an additional deployment of forces into Russia and eventually Ukraine. Lee said,

“The timing of the additional deployment is that it could be as early as July or August,” following a new troop round-up by North Korea and a recent high-level Russian visit to Pyongyang.

The same NIS briefing revealed that North Korea continues to send artillery and missiles to Russia. In return, Moscow is believed to be providing technical support to Pyongyang for satellite launches and missile guidance systems.

Deployment seen as part of wider coordinated assault

The ISW assessed that this move may be designed to support Russia’s expanding large-scale offensive operations. According to the think tank, Russian forces are gradually advancing simultaneously in at least three major directions: Borova-Lyman (Kharkiv Oblast), Kostiantynivka, and Novopavlivka (Donetsk Oblast).

While in the past Moscow relied on staggered and more localized attacks, Russia now appears to be capable—or at least attempting—multi-front assaults. Reinforcements from North Korea could boost this effort.

“It is not possible to forecast the likely impact of North Korean support of this type without more information about the size and composition of the North Korean troop contingent that would be going to Ukraine, nor is it clear how rapidly new North Korean troops would become effective in operations alongside Russian troops in Ukraine,” ISW wrote.

Mutual defense pact underpins growing cooperation

Both North Korea and Russia recently confirmed the presence of North Korean troops and their contribution to Russia’s campaign to reclaim territory in Kursk Oblast. Their military cooperation is grounded in a treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2024, which includes mutual defense clauses.

Ukraine has fulfilled key conditions to open formal accession negotiations with the European Union, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She stated that it is now the EU’s responsibility to move forward and open the first negotiation cluster.

Von der Leyen: Ukraine delivered, now it’s Europe’s move

Speaking on 27 June, Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s pace of reforms, saying, “Under relentless fire, Ukraine is passing reform after reform.” In her post on X, she emphasized that the EU accession process is merit-based and declared, “Ukraine has delivered – now we must too.”

At a press conference following a European Council session, von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s backing for Ukraine’s EU path. Suspilne reports that she confirmed Ukraine has done its share of the work, and now it is the European Union’s turn to respond by opening the first negotiation cluster.

EU Commission pushes forward, Hungary digs in

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated that Ukraine’s partners “commended Ukraine’s pace of reforms under the most difficult circumstances” and confirmed readiness to open the first cluster of negotiations. However, for talks to begin, all 27 EU member states must agree.

According to Liga, Hungary continues to block the move. On 26 June during the EU summit in Brussels, Hungary, under its pro-Russian government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, announced its opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession. 

Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Viktor Orbán claimed that 95% of over 2.1 million participants in his Voks2025 anti-Ukrainian consultative referendum allegedly voted against Ukraine’s EU membership.

Despite its unofficial nature, Orbán is using the vote that is not legally binding as a tool of political leverage within the EU. Kyiv, however, dismisses the move. Stefanishyna called it a “small obstacle” that “won’t prevent the start of negotiations.”

EU funding, sanctions, and support for Ukraine

Suspilne also reports that von der Leyen confirmed €1 billion in EU funding has already been allocated to Ukraine’s defense industry, using profits from frozen Russian assets. She added that Brussels is ready to frontload €11 billion more from the G7 loan package, stressing the urgency of Kyiv’s financial needs.

Von der Leyen also mentioned the EU’s commitment to delivering 2 million artillery shells to Ukraine by 2025. Meanwhile, Brussels is preparing its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, aiming to pressure Moscow into serious talks beginning with a real ceasefire.

Ukraine’s path to EU accession

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Ukraine’s EU membership application on 28 February 2022, days after Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On 23 June 2022, the European Council granted Ukraine candidate status. Ukraine was tasked with seven key reforms, including tackling corruption and strengthening the rule of law.

On 26 September 2023, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that all the Commission’s recommendations had been fulfilled. The EU Commission then formally recommended starting accession talks on 8 November 2023. EU ambassadors approved a negotiating mandate, and the European Council endorsed it on 21 June 2024.

Talks officially began on 25 June 2024 in Luxembourg, with the bilateral screening of Ukrainian legislation. However, Hungary’s ongoing blockade has stalled the formal opening of negotiation clusters since early 2025.

A Ukrainian drone development group has created a high-altitude interceptor capable of reaching a record 11 kilometers, potentially reshaping Ukraine’s defense against Russian surveillance and attack UAVs. This is roughly the same altitude at which commercial airliners cruise, typically flying at 9 to 12 kilometers above sea level.

Drone can reach extreme heights

According to Militarnyi, the Ukrainian combat drone developer group known as Dyki Shershni (“Wild Hornets”) developed a new drone interceptor of the copter type. In footage shared by the developers on social media, the aircraft is shown flying at a significant altitude.

“Guess at what altitude our uncodified drone is flying? ” Wild Hornets wrote in the video caption, which indicates it remains in the testing or pre-approval stage.

Open-source intelligence account Osinttechnical identified the test as taking place over southern Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast, next to Krynky village.

The drone’s key feature is its impressive ceiling: up to 11 kilometers, as the developers revealed later. Such a height could give Ukrainian defenders a strategic advantage in countering Russian drones that conduct reconnaissance or strikes from high altitudes.

Design details remain classified

The developers did not reveal exact specifications or appearance of the interceptor. Dyki Shershni later claimed—though it remains unclear whether this was true or part of wartime misdirection aimed at deceiving Russian forces—that the interceptor seen flying at 11 kilometers was not a new development, but rather standard.

“All interceptors from Dyki Shershni fly at such altitudes,” they stated. “This is our regular product, delivered to the military for over a year.”

They emphasized that the push for such high performance came not from the engineers themselves but from the military, who “are always searching for the limits of physical capability,” with the team simply translating that experience into serial production. They added that “our new developments will surprise you even more.”

Strategic importance against Russian UAVs

As Militarnyi notes, the fight against Russian reconnaissance and attack drones remains a top priority for Ukraine. The availability of new tools, particularly high-altitude interceptors like this drone, boosts the chances of protecting both Ukrainian troops and civilians from aerial assaults launched by Russian occupying forces.

Canada is evaluating a possible defense co-production agreement with Ukraine that could include manufacturing military equipment and drones together, according to Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty.

Production collaboration under review

Speaking to reporters on 26 June, McGuinty confirmed that the idea of how Canada could partner with Ukraine in military production is under “active consideration” by the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, The Globe and Mail reports. The government is looking to models already adopted by countries like Denmark and France, which have signed similar agreements with Kyiv.

“The Ukrainians have made huge strides and advances in drone technology, something that we’re actively looking at,” McGuinty said, adding that potential industrial benefits for Canadian companies are also being considered.

McGuinty explained that Ottawa is exploring two primary options: financing weapons production inside Ukraine or manufacturing equipment in Canada. The final decision would depend on what mechanism would bring the most value to both countries.

McGuinty’s European tour and defense spending talks

McGuinty’s statements came at the end of his European visit, his first as Defense Minister to Latvia. Approximately 1,900 Canadian Armed Forces members are stationed in Latvia as part of NATO’s ongoing deterrence mission.

He also attended the NATO summit in The Hague this week, where Prime Minister Mark Carney made a significant announcement: Canada will implement its largest defense budget increase since the Second World War, aiming to double military spending by 2035.

McGuinty said the new Canada-EU procurement partnership could allow Ottawa to access loans from a European pool worth approximately $240-billion. These loans are backed by the EU budget and would enable Canada to take part in bulk equipment purchases alongside European countries, allowing savings for Canadian taxpayers.

Fresh battlefield movements indicate that both Ukrainian and Russian forces made gains in several contested areas across Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts in recent days, according to a June 25 report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated footage supports a series of advances, with Ukrainian forces regaining ground in eastern Kharkiv and southern Donetsk oblasts, while Russian troops pushed forward in key directions including Vovchansk, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.

Ukrainian progress near Borova and Velyka Novosilka

ISW reports that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Borova direction in eastern Kharkiv Oblast. Geolocated footage published on 25 June confirms that Ukrainian troops regained positions in Zelenyi Hai, located east of Borova. The footage strongly suggests that Ukrainian forces likely liberated the settlement.

Meanwhile, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine also made headway in the Velyka Novosilka direction. Geolocated footage released on 23 June indicates Ukrainian forces advanced southeast of Novopil, southwest of Velyka Novosilka.

Ukrainian counteroffensive near Lyman hits Russian regiment

Ukrainian troops operating in the Lyman direction launched a counterattack on 24 June, reportedly striking elements of the Russian 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment, which is part of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division, 20th Combined Arms Army. The Ukrainian brigade stated that its operation “destroyed” a platoon from the Russian regiment and resulted in progress near Ridkodub, north of Lyman.

However, Russian sources counter these claims. A Russian milblogger alleged that Russian troops advanced east of Zelena Dolyna and north of Novomykhailivka, both located in the same northern part of Donetsk Oblast.

Russian gains around Vovchansk and Pokrovsk

Russian forces continued their push in northern Kharkiv Oblast. According to ISW, geolocated footage published on 23 and 25 June shows Russian troops advancing in northern and northwestern parts of Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City.

In the Donetsk Oblast’s Pokrovsk direction, geolocated video from 24 June depicts Russian troops advancing north of Shevchenko Pershe and into western Lysivka, both situated near Pokrovsk.

Donetsk’s Yalta fell in the Novopavlivka direction

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that units from the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 29th Combined Arms Army under the Eastern Military District, took control of central Yalta, south of Novopavlivka in Donetsk Oblast. Geolocated footage published on 25 June supports this claim, showing Russian servicemembers raising their flag in the settlement center.

Ukrainian military intelligence has received a new-generation maritime drone, the Magura W6, as part of its continued efforts to challenge Russian naval dominance in the Black Sea. The presented unit’s production was fully funded by Ukraine’s PUMB Bank.

New addition to Ukraine’s naval drone fleet

On 26 June, Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) reported that its Group 13 unit had taken delivery of the Magura W6, a multi-purpose maritime drone platform.

“The Magura W6 is a drone from the newest generation of maritime reconnaissance and strike platforms recently unveiled by the Main Directorate of Intelligence,” HUR wrote.

Designed for patrolling sea areas, monitoring airspace, and supporting evacuation and logistics missions, the drone represents the newest development in Ukraine’s advanced naval drone family.

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The drone joins a fleet that has already inflicted over half a billion dollars in losses on the Russian fleet, according to HUR. Earlier platforms from the Magura family have contributed significantly to forcing Russian naval forces to retreat from open waters and stay confined to port.

A representative from Group 13, identified by the callsign Ksena, described the drone’s significance:

“Magura W6 is our eyes, weapon, and confidence in every mission. Thank you to everyone standing beside us. Together we are stronger.”

Bank supports Ukraine’s war effort

The Magura W6 was donated by PUMB Bank, which allocated nearly 8 million hryvnias or over $190,000 to fund the drone. The bank’s Deputy Chairman Leonid Skalozub stated:

“We have supported HUR units throughout the war, because we understand the key role of intelligence in defending the country and protecting the lives of our defenders and civilians.”

He emphasized that Ukrainian business remains a reliable partner to the state during its most difficult challenges.

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A growing maritime advantage

The addition of the Magura W6 enhances Ukraine’s operational flexibility at sea. As Russian naval forces remain boxed into ports due to past losses inflicted by previous drone operations, the new drone may further restrict their ability to maneuver in the Black Sea.

The HUR expressed gratitude to PUMB’s team, clients, and partners for contributing to the defense effort:

“Your help is a vital contribution to the safety of Black Sea shipping and our shared victory.”

Australia has issued new sanctions targeting dozens of Russian individuals and entities, while also expanding its military and strategic cooperation with NATO to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

New sanctions target Russian war economy

On 26 June, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced sanctions against 37 individuals and 7 entities under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011. These listings have been added to DFAT’s Consolidated List, references 8155 to 8198.

The sanctioned parties fall under the “Russia Criteria,” which include individuals or entities engaged in activities of strategic or economic significance to Russia, current or former Russian government officials, and their immediate family members. The sanctions include targeted financial restrictions and travel bans. Designated persons are prohibited from entering or remaining in Australia, while any dealings with their controlled assets without ministerial authorization constitute an offense.

The penalties also extend to anyone indirectly providing assets to the sanctioned parties. Those affected may apply to have the listing revoked or seek permits for legal dealings via DFAT’s online Pax portal.

New NATO partnership and defense industry access

According to Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR), Australia also signed an agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague. This move allows Australia’s defense forces to collaborate with NATO allies in procurement, systems support, and logistics. The agreement opens NATO’s supply chains to Australian defense companies, offering them broader market access and strategic alignment.

Australia’s ongoing efforts to hold Russia accountable

APDR reported that Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong reinforced Australia’s position:

“Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and in our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

She added that the latest sanctions reflect coordination with NATO partners such as the UK, Canada, and the EU.

“Australia has now imposed more than 1,500 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” Wong said. “We will continue to work with partners to disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its illegal and immoral war.”

A Ukrainian-designed aerial bomb with a 60 km strike range has successfully passed flight tests, with plans underway to increase its range to 80 km. The development comes amid growing domestic demand for long-range guided munitions, as Western supplies fall short.

Ukrainian “KAB” flies 60 km in tests

The Ukrainian design bureau Medoid is developing a domestic version of the Russian Unified Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK), known in Ukraine as KAB. According to Defense Express, the new system transforms a conventional aerial bomb into a precision-guided gliding weapon. Video footage of the trials, cleared for public release, shows the KAB being deployed from a Su-24 bomber during level flight.

The bomb successfully achieved a 60 km flight and accurately hit its target, according to the report. Developers told Defense Express that this range meets current military requirements as determined in coordination with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. Work is ongoing to push the system’s capabilities further, potentially up to 80 km. Theoretically, with a drop altitude of 10 km, the range could reach 100 km, depending on deployment tactics.

Russian looks, Ukrainian core

While the external appearance mirrors the Russian UMPK to expedite development, its internal systems are distinct.

“We didn’t waste time reinventing the wheel. The outer look is similar, but inside it’s ours — designed for better precision,” said Oleh Vostrykh from KB Medoid, speaking to Defense Express.

The bomb features a domestically developed guidance and planning module compatible with 500-kg bombs. The modular wings are designed for quick attachment, requiring only minutes for full setup. Most components are made in Ukraine, although some parts still need to be imported.

The navigation module is Ukrainian, though the developers are also testing a new system from a leading French company. That tech aims to maximize resistance to electronic warfare (EW) disruptions.

Tests continue, but funding needed

Tests have so far shown positive outcomes for flight range and targeting performance. According to Vostrykh, about ten more test drops are required before approval by the Ministry of Defense. However, development progress now largely depends on funding.

A “Charity Fund for Advanced Technologies” tied to the bureau is now seeking donations to complete the testing cycle. Each bomb costs around 1,200,000 UAH, or approximately $25,000. That cost is already lower than Western equivalents, even at the prototype stage.

High demand outpaces Western supply

Ukrainian forces currently require at least 100 long-range guided bombs daily. That need is only partially met by Western weapons such as JDAM-ER, AASM Hammer, or GBU-39/B SDB. This shortfall makes the Ukrainian KAB a critical asset moving forward.

According to Militarnyi, there are likely several similar munitions under testing in Ukraine. The Air Force reportedly trialed another version of the UMPK-style bomb back in September, and there are indications of their use in actual combat — such as in the Kherson direction — where a weapon of over 100 kg struck Russian positions.

Several explosions shook a handful of Russian cities overnight on 26 June in what local sources describe as a wave of drone attacks. Air defense systems were reportedly activated in the Moscow area and Rostov Oblast, and emergency aviation protocols were enforced at major airports.

Explosions in Taganrog and nearby areas

Russian pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Shot reported that at least five explosions were heard over Taganrog in Rostov Oblast shortly after midnight. Citing a local resident, Shot stated they saw bright flashes and heard the sound of drones flying overhead.

Explosions were also reported in the nearby villages of Lakedemonivka and Sambek. According to eyewitnesses, drones appeared to be approaching from the direction of Matveev Kurgan. There was no official confirmation of casualties or damage.

Later, Shot updated that residents of Taganrog and surrounding areas had heard approximately 15 explosions within an hour. No injuries or structural damage were reported.

Drone activity and explosions near Moscow

Two Russian Telegram channels, Mash and Shot, reported multiple explosions in Moscow Oblast, including Zelenograd, Komunarka, Dedovsk, Prokshino, Krasnogorsk, Istra, and Nakhabino. 

Shot cited Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who claimed:

“A Ministry of Defense air defense unit destroyed a drone attacking Moscow. Emergency service teams are working at the site of the drone debris.”

He later stated that another drone was shot down in the region:

“Another UAV attacking the Moscow region was destroyed by the Ministry of Defense air defense system. Emergency specialists are working at the site of the wreckage,” Sobyanin added.

Airport shutdowns

Mash reported at 1:06 that the Kovyor plan had been implemented at Vnukovo airport in response to the drone threat. The Kovyor plan is the standard security protocol, grounding and diverting flights in case of emergency.

This led to delays in four outbound and seventeen inbound flights. The same protocol was enacted in five airports across the Volga Federal District: Kazan, Nizhnekamsk (Begishevo), Penza, Samara (Kurumoch), and Ulyanovsk (Baratayevka).

Later, Shot reported that at least 18 incoming flights and 11 departures were delayed due to the situation near the capital, with four aircraft circling while waiting for clearance. Restrictions on arrivals and departures at Vnukovo were eventually lifted.

Europe must rapidly scale up drone production and readiness to prepare for potential Russian aggression, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius warned. His comments come amid rising concerns that Moscow could strike a NATO member within five years.

Kubilius told Sky News that Russia may be able to deploy as many as five million drones in the event of Russia’s attack against a NATO country. He emphasized that to successfully deter or defend against such an assault, Europe would need to exceed that capacity.

“We need to have capacities bigger than those in order to prevail,” he said.

Citing lessons learned from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, Kubilius highlighted the increasing dominance of drones in modern warfare.

“Nothing can move. Everything is controlled by drones,” he said, describing Ukraine’s drone-dominated front line, which spans 1,200 km.

According to him, traditional tanks in those zones last just six minutes.

Ukraine’s example shows scale of drone warfare

Ukraine is expected to produce more than four million drones this year. Drawing comparisons, Kubilius said his home country Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus over roughly 900 km, would need at least three million drones annually if conflict broke out.

Rather than stockpile outdated technology, Kubilius urged European states to focus on training and readiness:

“We need to learn a lot from Ukraine… how to organize defenses against millions of drones, and also how to make your defense industry innovative.”

German companies rush to meet demand

Start-ups like Germany’s STARK and Alpine Eagle are already racing to supply Ukraine with cutting-edge drones. Josef Kranawetvogl, STARK’s senior vice president and a former soldier, said the fast-paced evolution of drone warfare demands constant innovation. 

Alpine Eagle CEO Jan-Hendrik Boelens showcased interceptor drones capable of engaging targets up to 5 km away. He warned that NATO members are vastly underprepared.

“We are absolutely not ready in my view,” he said, noting that while Ukraine consumed 1.3 million drones last year, NATO members may have purchased just a fraction of that. 

UK and Germany pivot toward drone warfare

According to Sky News, the UK’s new defense plan embraces a “20-40-40” strategy prioritizing drones. British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed an additional £2 billion will be invested in army drones during this parliament. 

Germany and Denmark have also signed drone co-production deals with Ukraine. Berlin has pledged to rapidly increase procurement, with two attack drone contracts signed recently. 

NATO drone priorities

Sky News says NATO has made drone defense a priority. At the latest summit days ago, member states pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. NATO chief Mark Rutte said air defenses must be boosted fivefold, noting the devastating impact of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. 

At the same summit, all the members of the alliance, including the US, recognized Russia as a long-term threat.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on US President Donald Trump and NATO allies to apply the same level of determination shown in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to bring a truce in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. 

Speaking at a press briefing on 25 June following the NATO summit in The Hague, Meloni stated:

“I told President Donald Trump and the summit that ‘the same determination’ used in the war between Israel and Iran ‘must also be used for two other ceasefires, for Ukraine and for Gaza. The situation in Gaza is unsustainable’,” she said, as reported by La Repubblica.

On 24 June, Trump claimed that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel had taken effect following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

As the only EU head of government to attend Trump’s 2025 inauguration and his closest mainstream European ally, Giorgia Meloni has previously positioned herself as a potential bridge between the United States and a divided European Union.

Explore further

Bloomberg: How NATO leaders are trying to save Ukraine — by flattering Trump

Backing NATO unity and defense boost

At the same summit, all 32 NATO members agreed to a significant defense spending goal—raising allocations to 5% of GDP by 2035. Meloni welcomed this move, calling it a clear sign of alliance unity. 

Russia has significantly reduced its military forces in Kaliningrad Oblast, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. The statement was made during the NATO summit in The Hague on 24 June 2025, as reported Belsat. Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave, geographically cut off from mainland Russia and its ally Belarus by Poland and Lithuania.

Polish FM: Most Russian troops withdrawn from Kaliningrad

Speaking to Belsat on the sidelines of the summit, Sikorski stated that “from what I know, a large part of the troops have been withdrawn from Kaliningrad Oblast.” 

The Polish minister suggested that the redeployment was part of a broader pattern reflecting Russia’s stretched military resources.

“Russia’s best military units are [tied up] in Ukraine,” he added.

Doubts over Russia’s Zapad-2025 drill claims

Sikorski also addressed Russia’s reported decision to move its upcoming Zapad-2025 military exercises in Belarus further inland from the Polish border. Citing Polish intelligence signals, he acknowledged that the drills may have been relocated deeper into Belarus, but expressed skepticism, saying he doesn’t know how true it is.

He noted that Russia organizes its military drills in a three-year cycle across its different military districts.

“This is nothing new,” he said, adding that the upcoming exercises would likely be on a smaller scale due to ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia shifting focus to Finland border

According to Sikorski, Russia is also in the process of forming new military formations along the border with Finland. He emphasized that this dispersion of troops forces Moscow to stretch its capabilities thin.

“This is not a success,” Sikorski commented, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin turned out “a fairly skillful tactician who has used the West’s mistakes to his advantage, but a terrible strategist paying a huge price for a war he cannot win.”

At the NATO summit in The Hague on 25 June, European leaders chose silence, flattery, and submission to avoid offending Donald Trump — a decision Bloomberg columnist Max Hastings believes was driven by one desperate objective: keeping US arms flowing to Ukraine.

Flattery as survival tactic

According to the Bloomberg piece, the entire summit revolved around not provoking Trump. The meeting “made little pretense of discussing global strategy,” Hastings writes, and was instead about “preventing the most impulsive and erratic US president in history from throwing NATO’s toys out of his pram.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran and even sympathized with his “public use of four-letter language,” signaling the tone.

Every leader in the room, Hastings notes, played along — even as Trump claimed that recent US-Israeli strikes had set back Iran “by decades,” a statement none reportedly believed. Their silence wasn’t weakness, Hastings argues, but a calculated move to avoid triggering Trump’s unpredictable anger — because Ukraine’s survival may depend on it.

Zelenskyy’s lifeline in danger

Trump has already suspended arms deliveries to Ukraine once. Hastings warns he might do so again at any moment. Ukraine survives “only at his pleasure,” he states.

Russian forces are escalating ground offensives and intensifying attacks on cities. As air-defense systems deplete, Ukraine faces critical shortages. Hastings says Ukrainian morale could collapse if they lose the means to repel Russian terror strikes.

The problem, he explains, is that Europe can’t replace what the US provides. If Washington doesn’t act — if Trump cuts Ukraine off again — the consequences may be dire. 

European submission to an unpredictable partner

All NATO allies understand this. The Bloomberg piece describes the summit as a performance of submission — not to Russia, but to the United States. European nations, including Germany and the UK, are boosting defense spending and offering gestures of solidarity. Germany plans to spend €62.4 billion in 2025. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted in parliament:

“We are not doing that as a favor to the US and its president… because Russia is actively and aggressively endangering the security and freedom of the entire Euro-Atlantic area.”

A necessary humiliation

Despite their discomfort, no leader pushed back publicly. Hastings argues this silence may be shameful, but it is strategic.

“Those of us who don’t hold public office,” he writes, “seem to have a responsibility to be frank.”

In conclusion, Hastings believes Europe must continue this game of appeasement. It may cost dignity and self-respect. But if it helps Ukraine hold the line, he argues, it might be a price worth paying.

Ukraine has upgraded its sea-based Katran drone with strike capabilities reaching targets up to 100 kilometers away, according to the drone’s operator from Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency speaking to Militarnyi. The unmanned vessel, originally designed as a kamikaze platform, has evolved into a strategic multi-role system capable of deep and extended operations.

A new strategic weapon in Ukraine’s Black Sea

In an interview with Militarnyi, a special forces operative from the HUR’s Black Sea Legion with the call sign Devyatyi (“Ninth”) described the Katran as a strategic tool and revealed major performance upgrades. He confirmed the drone can operate for up to six days on water and reach targets as far as 3000 kilometers—nearly tripling the publicly stated range of 1,000 kilometers that had been reported back in March.

“The system allows operations beyond 2,000 kilometers. Although we officially state 1,600 km, we’ve already seen examples of 3,000 km missions,” Ninth told Militarnyi.

The Katran is now armed with weapons that strike targets up to 100 km away, guided by artificial intelligence for high precision, according to him.

A sea drone built for versatility and reach

The Katran—named after a type of spiny dogfish a.k.a. mud shark—is a multi-role platform developed by Ukrainian defense manufacturer Military Armored Company HUB. It belongs to a broader family of Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) capable of hitting targets in the air, at sea, and far into enemy-controlled territory.

The weapons systems, including FPV drones and missile payloads, are housed in the superstructure built above the drone’s main hull. This modular design enables the platform to carry a diverse set of payloads depending on mission needs.

Operator-centered design

Katran’s control interface includes a custom operator seat modeled after aircraft cockpits. It features an aviation-style yoke and throttle lever, along with multiple control buttons. One of those buttons, according to Militarnyi, likely controls the bow trim of the unmanned vessel during maneuvers.

Operators receive real-time visual data through augmented reality goggles linked to both day and night cameras onboard the drone. This live feed is simultaneously displayed on a rear monitor—presumably to assist command officers at the control station.

From kamikaze boats to reusable strike drones

Ukraine’s naval drone program has rapidly evolved. As Ninth explained, the Katran is no longer a simple kamikaze craft but a long-endurance, reusable platform capable of multiple operations. This marks a dramatic transformation from the first Ukrainian USVs used in the Black Sea in June 2023, which were loaded with explosives and designed for one-way attacks.

Explore further

Ukraine’s Katran naval drone now armed with 100 km-range strike weapons

The HUR has invested heavily in expanding a flotilla of unmanned maritime systems. These include launch platforms for kamikaze drones and strike systems capable of engaging both land-based and maneuvering maritime targets.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov officially revealed the Katran drone in March through his Telegram channel.

Senior Lieutenant Ihor Shutyi, commander of the electronic warfare (EW) company of Ukraine’s 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, describes how frontline EW systems are struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of Russian and commercial drone technologies. From early losses near Donetsk to the arrival of fiber-optic FPV drones in 2025, his account reveals how the drone war is steadily pushing traditional jamming systems toward obsolescence.

From silence to saturation: EW enters the battlefield

In his detailed firsthand account titled “Has the era of EW come to an end?“, Shutyi notes that electronic warfare wasn’t always a factor on Ukraine’s front lines. In late 2022, during operations near Donetsk, EW was barely present. Ukrainian units operated Chinese-made commercial drones such as Mavic quadcopters and the larger Matrice 300 RTK with little interference. The officer recalls one veteran Mavic that survived for six months, conducting reconnaissance and dropping munitions without issue.

That changed in January 2023 after the unit relocated to Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Within just two weeks, three Mavics were lost or disabled, and a jammed Matrice crashed into a snow-covered field. According to Shutyi, this marked the first real impact of Russian EW on their operations.

As the unit redeployed near Donetsk Oblast’s Bakhmut, drone operators adapted to worsening conditions—using pickups fitted with Starlink, adjusting launch positions based on signal strength, and reacting quickly to jamming attempts. But losses mounted.

“Drones were often lost during the very first flight,” Shutyi wrote in his public account.

Reluctant beginnings of EW inside Ukraine’s own ranks

In the early stages, Ukrainian forces did not universally embrace electronic warfare tools. Shutyi notes that the first EW devices, introduced to his brigade around September 2023, were largely offloaded to reconnaissance platoons because infantry commanders “saw no use for them” and didn’t want the burden of managing extra gear or assigning operators.

That began to change in December 2023, when front-line units started receiving relentless attacks from Russian first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones. One position, Shutyi reports, was struck by 11 such drones in a single day. Suddenly, commanders began urgently requesting EW tools—signing requisition forms “without even reading them.”

At this point, Ukrainian forces began improvising: adding signal boosters like Alientech, modifying chips, and using captured Russian firmware. A dedicated EW platoon was formed, and within a month, Shutyi was leading a full EW company.

The escalation: From hope to overload

In early 2024, there was cautious optimism. Mounted EW systems like omnidirectional jammers installed on vehicles were effective against FPV drones. Shutyi recalls drivers reporting how enemy drones dropped in front of their pickups, unable to withstand the jamming signal.

But the progress was short-lived. Drone frequencies diversified rapidly. By spring, the standard 900 MHz module was no longer enough. Russian drones began operating in a range from 750 to 1050 MHz. By summer, countering them required four to five modules; by autumn, seven.

This increase in frequency bands brought multiple problems:

• Size and weight: A single frequency module might be manageable, but multiple modules created heavy, bulky kits that infantry could barely carry. “We tried modular kits for infantry,” Shutyi wrote, “but it only partially solved the problem.”

• Power demands: Seven 50W modules couldn’t be supported by a pickup truck generator alone. Vehicles needed additional power battery systems like EcoFlow for sustained operation.

A fatal shift: The arrival of fiber-optic FPVs

Shutyi marks the end of 2024 as a turning point—the moment when conventional EW systems began to collapse. The reason: unjammable fiber-optic FPV drones.

Initially dismissed for their cost, lack of maneuverability, and terrain limitations, these drones proved devastating. During Russia’s 2025 winter operations in Kursk Oblast, fiber-optic drones overwhelmed Ukrainian logistics routes.

“There was , in fact, nothing to counter them,” Shutyi admitted.

By spring, Russian FPV drones were reaching 10 km deep into Ukrainian-controlled territory—up from 3 km just months earlier. The depth and scale of their operations grew steadily.

DJI’s next move: The Mavic 4 and Matrice 4T challenge

As if that weren’t enough, commercial drone giant DJI released the Mavic 4 Pro and Matrice 4T. According to Shutyi, citing the manufacturer’s specs, these drones introduced major improvements:

• Multiple operating bands (2.4, 5.2, and 5.8 GHz)
• Enhanced low-light imaging
• Autonomous pathfinding through signal interference zones
• Smoke-penetrating optics
• Integrated laser rangefinders and loudspeakers (“Surrender, you’re surrounded!”)

Although three operating frequencies are officially listed, Shutyi suspects more can be activated via firmware. He also warns about a possible DJI ecosystem that includes dedicated amplifiers, relay drones (e.g., Matrice 30T), and plug-and-play integration—all without the need for custom tinkering.

These drones are already appearing at the front, and their suppression—based on available tools—is currently ineffective.

EW pushed to the rear: The decline of ground-based jammers

As multirotor drones with extended range and stronger connections proliferate, Ukraine’s large vehicle-based EW systems like Bukovel-AD, Nota, Ay-Petri, Damba, Beton, and others are being forced to retreat from front-line positions.

These systems, Shutyi argues, won’t disappear but will become more like helmets or body armor—potentially lifesaving in some moments, but offering no guarantees of protection. The deeper these systems are moved into the rear, the less relevant they become in fast-evolving combat zones.

Toward a new doctrine: Russia’s standardized drone war

Shutyi predicts Russia will eventually phase out manually operated FPV drones in favor of factory-standardized fiber-optic models. These are easier to produce, don’t require operators highly trained for various types of UAVs, and eliminate the need for multiple ground control systems with varying antennas.

In this model:

• Mavic/Matrice 4 will handle reconnaissance and targeting
• FPV bombers will carry out immediate strikes on front-line positions
• Fiber-optic FPVs with varying ranges (5 to 30 km) will attack deeper logistical and artillery targets

This streamlined, cost-efficient system mirrors the ethos of the Kalashnikov rifle: simple, consistent, and deadly.

“Overall, it appears that EW is gradually losing the battle against frontline quadcopters,” Shutyi says, later adding: “The drone-vs-antidrone arms race continues, and simple setups like ‘antenna + jammer + power source’ no longer deliver the needed results.”

The path forward: Kill the eyes, blind the war

With conventional jamming tools falling short, Shutyi emphasizes that the most effective countermeasure may now be eliminating enemy reconnaissance drones.

“If we take out the Mavics, the enemy loses their ‘eyes’,” he writes.

Without real-time aerial visibility, artillery accuracy, drone strikes, and even infantry assaults become far less effective. Shutyi views FPV-kamikaze strikes against enemy Mavics as a cost-effective tactic, even if the economics aren’t perfect. In his view, “trading one FPV for even the cheapest Mavic is worth it.”

The bigger picture: Adapting to the drone age

The war in Ukraine has already rewritten several military doctrines:

• A shift from mobile to positional warfare
• Disappearance of traditional foot reconnaissance in favor of airborne surveillance
• Tanks and BMPs reduced to fire support roles
• Phasing out heavy machine guns on the line of contact due to their vulnerability to drones
• And now, the likely fading of infantry mortars and grenade launchers

In that context, the slow disappearance of EW from the tactical level is no surprise.

“Its visibility, its impact, and even its presence in media will fade,” Shutyi warns.

Still, new tactics are emerging. One example: using FPV drones to target and destroy enemy fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs like Zala, Orlan, and Molniya—a method successfully implemented by Ukrainian forces in mid-2024.

On 23 June 2025, Norway’s Ministry of Defense confirmed it will fund and jointly produce maritime drones on Ukrainian territory as part of a NOK 6.7 billion or $665 million initiative under the UK-Norway-led maritime coalition. 

Production of uncrewed vessels on Ukrainian soil

According to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence on X on 23 June,

“Norway to develop and produce uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) on Ukrainian soil.”

The Norwegian Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik, specified that “parts of this funding will be used to develop and produce uncrewed maritime vessels using KDA technology, with production based in Ukraine.” The announcement confirms Norway’s direct investment in the Ukrainian defense sector.

In January, the UK had announced its own development of a universal maritime drone for Ukraine.

Kongsberg to partner with Ukrainian defense industry

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has signed an agreement with a Ukrainian industrial partner to co-develop and manufacture USVs using Norwegian technology. The Naval News report states that these drone boats will be equipped with weapon stations from KDA and built in Ukraine.

KDA president Eirik Lie noted:

“Unmanned vessels play a major role in helping Ukraine to defend its territory, and neutralize the Russian navy in the Black Sea.”

Additional missile development agreement

Alongside the sea drone initiative, Kongsberg signed a separate agreement with another Ukrainian company to develop and produce low-cost, high-volume missiles compatible with the NASAMS air defense system.

According to Naval News and Militarnyi, these missile projects are aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s anti-air capabilities and deepening cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian defense sectors.

On 22 June, a Russian missile struck a temporary training ground used by Ukraine’s Ground Forces, killing three soldiers and injuring 14 others, according to multiple official statements. The site was located in Kherson Oblast and used for periodic exercises by a mechanized brigade.

Strike on temporary camp during active exercises

The Ground Forces reported that the missile hit during scheduled exercises on a temporary site used by one of their mechanized brigades.

“Today, 22 June, the enemy launched a missile strike on a training ground of one of the mechanized brigades of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where training sessions were underway,” the official statement read.

According to spokesperson Vitalii Sarantsev, the missile was likely an Iskander-M ballistic missile. He told national television that the location was not a permanent deployment zone, but a temporary site used specifically for training tasks.

Partial non-compliance with safety protocols

Sarantsev stated that while the majority of troops responded quickly to the alarm and reached shelters, “some servicemen neglected safety measures—and most of those who did were the ones who got injured.” He emphasized that troops had been dispersed to shelters just minutes before the missile landed.

Casualties, response, and medical aid

Ukraine’s Ground Forces reported that prompt implementation of safety protocols helped prevent greater casualties. Still, three deaths were confirmed, and by 19:27, the number of injured had climbed to 14. Medical facilities provided urgent treatment to all wounded, the military said.

A special commission has been set up by the Ground Forces Command to investigate the circumstances of the strike. Law enforcement agencies are also working at the site. Military officials confirmed that additional protective measures are being implemented to safeguard personnel from potential future attacks.

Leadership change follows earlier strike

This is not the first time Russian forces have targeted Ukrainian training grounds. Earlier in June, after a missile strike on a training area in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, General-Major Mykhailo Drapatyi resigned as commander of the Ground Forces, citing personal responsibility. 

He was later appointed Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, responsible for military operations. Brigadier General Shapovalov took over as Ground Forces commander on 19 June.

Zelenskyy reacts to latest strike

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the missile strike in his 22 June evening video message.

“I am expecting a full report on the consequences and all circumstances of the Russian missile strike on the training ground in southern Ukraine,” he stated. “There were casualties, there were wounded. Full accountability is required.”

Hungary and Slovakia blocked the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed on 23 June. Despite never supporting Kyiv militarily, Hungary also declared it would no longer support Ukraine militarily or financially, as Budapest continues aligning itself with Moscow’s interests inside the EU.

Budapest obstructs new sanctions package

According to Liga, Szijjártó announced at a press briefing streamed on Facebook:

“We, together with Slovakia, prevented the adoption of the sanctions package today.”

The move came in direct response to the European Commission’s ongoing push to reduce EU dependency on Russian energy.

Szijjártó justified the veto by referencing the EU’s June 2022 decision that had granted Hungary and Slovakia a full exemption from the Russian oil embargo introduced in the sixth sanctions package. Hungary believes that the ban on purchasing cheap Russian gas and oil violates previous agreements.

“The European Union decided unanimously that Hungary and Slovakia would receive a full exemption for an unlimited time from the oil embargo on Russian crude,” he claimed.

Veto used to counter Commission’s energy plan

Hungary cannot directly veto the Commission’s energy strategy, which only needs a qualified majority vote, so it blocked the sanctions package instead. Szijjártó described this majority-voting mechanism as allegedly “a very serious violation of European legal norms.”

He also warned that restricting access to Russian energy now, amid rising instability in the Middle East and threats to the Ormuz Strait, would lead to major losses and a supply crisis in Europe. 

Hungary says ‘no more’ to Ukraine

Szijjártó condemned what he called “increasingly pro-Ukrainian military sentiment” among EU foreign ministers. He noted that the EU has already provided Ukraine with 10 trillion forints—about €25 billion—this year alone.

“But today it was said that even that is not enough,” Orbán’s minister complained.

Hungary, he said, will block any further attempts to support Kyiv:

“We will not allow Hungarian money to be sent to Ukraine. We are not ready to support any new financial aid, any new arms deliveries, or any new military operations.”

An early morning fire engulfed fuel storage tanks at the Atlas facility in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, following what appears to be another Ukrainian drone strike. The site is considered a critical part of the Russian military’s fuel logistics in its war against Ukraine.

Fire confirmed by satellite data

Militarnyi reports that NASA’s FIRMS satellite service recorded an abnormal temperature spike over the Atlas industrial facility in Kamensk district at 3:41 UTC or 06:41 Kyiv Time on 23 June 2025. The site houses 32 fuel tanks, many of which were reportedly engulfed in flames. 

Local sources reported a “series of powerful explosions, so strong they triggered car alarms” in Kamensk district around 4 a.m.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 14 drones were shot down in Rostov Oblast. Local governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed a fire, but did not name the affected facility:

“Air defense is still responding to an aerial attack in the northern part of Rostov Oblast. So far, UAVs have been destroyed in the Millerovsky, Kamensky, Tarasovsky, Bokovsky, and Milyutinsky districts. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out at an industrial facility in Kamensky district,” he wrote at 3 a.m., later updating that as of 7:50 the fire was allegedly extinguished.

At the time of publication, no footage from the scene is available to confirm the new damage to the facility.

Not the first possible attack on the Atlas

This is not the first time the Atlas fuel complex has been struck. A similar drone attack caused a massive fire overnight on 29 November 2024. Another strike in August 2024 also targeted the same facility, damaging fuel storage units and triggering a fire. 

The depot, located at coordinates 48.457086, 40.330746 near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, lies just 100–150 km from the front lines. Its proximity to the battlefield and its logistical role make it a high-value target in the ongoing war.

Previous strikes on fuel infrastructure

Earlier in June, Ukrainian drones hit industrial areas near the Lukoil oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. That attack marked a renewed campaign against Russia’s fuel and energy infrastructure after a pause in such operations.

Just one day prior, on 6 June 2025, the Rosrezerv Kristall fuel depot used by a Russian strategic bomber base in Engels, Saratov Oblast, also suffered a drone strike.

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.

New Zealand has committed 16 million New Zealand dollars (approximately $9.5 million) in new aid to Ukraine, combining military and humanitarian support as the country’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon prepares to attend a NATO Summit in The Hague. The package is split between battlefield assistance and relief for war-affected civilians, and builds on New Zealand’s ongoing backing of Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

This latest assistance brings New Zealand’s total aid to Ukraine to more than NZD 168 million (approx. $100 million) since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. That support includes up to 100 New Zealand Defense Force personnel deployed to train Ukrainian troops.

Breakdown of funding: Military and humanitarian support

As reported by 1News and RNZ, the NZD 16 million package includes two contributions of NZD 4 million each to multinational military aid initiatives: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine fund and the UK and Latvia-led Drone Coalition. These funds are intended to provide both lethal and non-lethal equipment and support.

An additional NZD 7 million (around $4.1 million) will fund humanitarian relief for communities inside Ukraine, while NZD 1 million ($600,000) is allocated to help Ukrainians displaced in neighboring countries.

No invitation—not even a mention: Ukraine to be left out of NATO’s summit statement

Political context and timing

The announcement came just before Luxon’s scheduled participation in the NATO Summit in The Hague. Speaking to media in Brussels, he emphasized New Zealand’s principled stance.

“Its war of self-defense is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” he said, as quoted by 1News.

Luxon told reporters,

“There’ll be a lot of conversation, obviously, about the Middle East, but there’ll also be a lot of conversation about Ukraine as well. We may be a long way from these conflicts, but it’s important, if you’ve got values, that you stand up for them, you articulate them, and, where you can, put support to them.”

Zelenskyy: Russia using prisoner exchanges to delay sanctions, weaken US-Ukraine ties

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that New Zealand would continue collaborating internationally “to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.”

The aid also follows recently announced sanctions on Russian maritime logistics and supply actors, including what RNZ describes as Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a network of vessels and operations circumventing global restrictions.

Russian forces carried out a massive nighttime aerial assault on Kyiv and surrounding areas from 22 to 23 June, killing at least seven civilians and injuring over 30, according to local authorities. Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed that the capital was the main target in what they described as one of the largest air raids in recent weeks.

Air raid begins, drones launched from multiple directions

Suspilne reported that air raid sirens began in Kyiv Oblast at 22:52 on 22 June and in Kyiv city minutes before midnight. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian forces launched 368 aerial weapons overnight including 352 Shahed explosive drones and decoy UAVs, as well as 16 Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles, from several locations across Russia.

Explosions across Kyiv, drone debris cause fires and injuries

As the Russian Shaheds neared the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said air defense systems were activated as explosions were heard in multiple city districts. In Solomianskyi, drone debris struck residential and commercial buildings. Two people were hospitalized and a fire broke out in a private housing area. In Holosiivskyi district, an office building was damaged. In Darniytskyi, wreckage fell on a two-story residential house. In Sviatoshynskyi, windows shattered and drone parts landed on a stadium, though no injuries were reported.

Waves ballistic missile attack

At approximately 2:30 a.m., Ukraine’s Air Force reported high-speed targets moving from Russian territory toward Bila Tserkva in Kyiv Oblast. Monitoring channels indicated that Russian forces had launched ballistic missiles. A series of explosions followed in Kyiv. The second wave of the missile assault came an hour later.

Shevchenkivskyi: Apartment building hit, at least six dead

According to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, an entire section of a multi-story residential building in Shevchenkivskyi district collapsed due to a direct hit.

As of 8:42 on 23 June, emergency services reported six fatalities, with the bodies of a couple retrieved from under the rubble. The State Emergency Service (DSNS) said “10 people, including two children and a pregnant woman,” were rescued from the wreckage. Thirteen others were injured, and search efforts continue.

Update: The Russian air attack injured at least 22 civilians in Kyiv city, with 12 of them hospitalized, Suspilne reported. 

Kyiv metro, cars and bus stops damaged

Kyiv’s city administration said a metro entrance at Sviatoshyn station and a nearby bus stop sustained damage. Fires broke out in multiple areas, including on vehicles and urban infrastructure. Three people injured in Sviatoshynskyi and more in Shevchenkivskyi.

Kyiv Oblast also hit: Homes, hotel, hospital damaged

In Kyiv Oblast, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk reported damage across three districts outside Kyiv city. In Bila Tserkva, a missile hit a two-story hotel containing a private hospital. One woman born in 1957 died from injuries, while two others were hospitalized. Kalashnyk added that fires erupted in residential areas in Bucha and Boryspil, destroying several one-family homes and vehicles.

Rescue operation ongoing, emergency workers injured

The DSNS stated that two rescuers were injured during response efforts. Overall, eight people were injured in Kyiv Oblast alone, with most damage centered in Bila Tserkva and Bucha. Emergency services evacuated six critically ill patients from the burning hospital-hotel facility. Over 1,500 square meters burned, and multiple fire teams remain on scene.

“Russia has once again shown that the concept of a civilian object means nothing to it,” the Emergency Service wrote.

Air Force: 354/368 Russian aerial targets neutralized

By 09:00 on 23 June, the Air Force said it had neutralized 354 targets of 368 Russian aerial weapons.

• Of 352 drones launched from five locations in Russia, the air defenders took out 146 by direct fire and 193 through electronic warfare or radar suppression.
• Russia launched a total of Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, according to Ukraine, which reports shooting down seven, while three others were “locationally lost” — likely crashing after disappearing from radar.
• Additionally, all five Iskander-K cruise missiles were reportedly downed.

Operational Command North of Ukraine’s Ground Forces reported that its area of responsibility also saw action. Twenty Russian drones were reportedly shot down, six of them by the Siversk task unit and the rest by air defense components, including mobile teams and electronic warfare.

Update:

The Kyiv City Administration updated that as of 14:30, 33 people were injured in the city, including 25 in Shevchenkivskyi District, where a Russian missile strike brought down an entire section of a five-story apartment building. Later, it reported that rescuers had recovered the body of the ninth victim—an 11-year-old girl. Her mother’s body had been pulled from the rubble earlier. As of 20:00, search and rescue efforts continued in Shevchenkivskyi District.