Ukraine’s Armed Forces are now operating the MV-25 Oskar, a new fixed-wing loitering munition developed in France, according to KNDS France. The drone with the range of 25 km is part of the Mataris drone family.
Drone warfare innovations have become a defining feature of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles—operating in the air, on land, and at sea—now play a central role, with both sides rapidly advancing their technologies. Ukraine’s allies are also pushing forward their own drone development efforts to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving domain.
Ukrainian military deploys MV-25 Oskar
Ukraine has officially received and deployed the MV-25 Oskar loitering munition, part of the French Mataris drone series. KNDS France, the primary developer, stated the drone is already in operational use and has garnered “excellent feedback” from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Development and international collaboration
KNDS France developed the Mataris line in cooperation with DELAIR and EOS TECHNOLOGIE. The MV-25 Oskar was selected under the French Defense Innovation Agency’s COLIBRI program in 2022 and reached operational deployment in Ukraine within two years. It successfully underwent a test flight with a live warhead in June 2024.
KNDS emphasized that the Mataris systems were created to urgently address a capability gap in the French arsenal.
The Mataris range includes four models with varied capabilities:
MT-10: dual-rotor drone with a 10 km range
MX-10 Damocles: quadcopter-wing drone with 10 km range
MV-25 Oskar: fixed-wing drone with 25 km range
MV-100 Veloce 330: turbine-powered fixed-wing drone with 100 km range and speeds over 400 km/h
Each system features warheads specifically developed by KNDS Ammo France. The MV-25 Oskar’s deployment marks the first operational use of this mid-range fixed-wing drone in Ukraine.
French military prepares to field parallel drone
Meanwhile, the short-range MX-10 Damocles will enter service with the French Army in July 2025. DELAIR manufactures the quadcopter wing, and KNDS Ammo France produces the fragmentation-incendiary warhead. The drone is designed to neutralize infantry and light armored vehicles.
Next steps for longer-range drones
KNDS has also partnered with EOS TECHNOLOGIE to develop the MV-100 Veloce 330, capable of engaging medium and long-range targets. It features a 2.5 kg anti-armor warhead based on BONUS shell technology. An operational detonation test is scheduled before the end of 2025.
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Russia’s consumption of its pre-war Soviet-era tank stores “appears to be slowing,”according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as Moscow increasingly shifts to using motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russia continues multiple ground assaults in several sectors of the frontline. From late 2024, Russian forces have been increasingly relying on civilian cars, scooters, and motorcycles instead of armored vehicles in such attacks due to heavy losses of tanks and personnel carriers.
Shift in equipment usage linked to depleted reserves
On 16 June, ISW cited a social media source that analyzes satellite imagery of Russian military depots. This source assessed that, as of a recent but unspecified date, Russia retained 46% of its pre-war tank reserves, 42% of its infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) reserves, and 48% of its armored personnel carrier (APC) reserves.
The data reflects only a modest decline from December 2024, when the same source assessed Russia had 47% of tanks, 52% of IFVs, and 45% of APCs still in storage. The adjusted figures stem from an update made on 15 June, when the source revised Russia’s original pre-war equipment estimates—adding 241 tanks, 174 IFVs, and 687 APCs—affecting percentage shifts accordingly.
The same source reported that most vehicle reserves have been withdrawn from eight key Russian depots. Based on this trend, the source concluded that Russia is likely to exhaust its remaining armored reserves by the end of 2025.
Surge in equipment activity near Finland
Satellite imagery also revealed what the source called a “dramatic” increase in nearly all types of military equipment deployed to a Russian base near Petrozavodsk, in the Republic of Karelia. This location lies approximately 373 kilometers from the Finnish border.
However, the source acknowledged that Russia may still hold additional vehicles in covered storage not visible via satellite surveillance, according to ISW.
The Wall Street Journal reported on 27 April that a senior Finnish military official claimed Russia is sending “almost none” of its newly manufactured tanks to Ukraine.
Frontline use of motorcycles and buggies grows
ISW noted that the slowing consumption of tank reserves aligns with an observed increase in the use of motorcycles and buggies on the Ukrainian frontline. Since late fall 2024, Russian troops have employed these unarmored civilian vehicles more frequently, especially in contested “gray zones” shaped by Ukrainian and Russian drone activity.
Combat footage reviewed by ISW confirms this shift, with lighter and faster vehicles used to counter the vulnerability of traditional armored units to drone strikes. The think tank previously linked this trend to the heavy armored vehicle losses sustained by Russian forces in late 2023 and 2024.
Tactical gains come at high cost
While these adaptations have allowed Russian troops to make minor tactical advances, ISW emphasized they come at the expense of significant infantry losses.
“ISW previously assessed that Russian armored vehicle losses are unsustainable and are undermining Russia’s ability to sustain a protracted high-intensity war, but it remains unclear if Russia’s increased reliance on motorcycles and buggies will be sufficient to offset these losses in the medium- to long-term,” the think tank wrote.
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The UK’s Defense Ministry reports in its intelligence update a dramatic increase in the number of artificial limbs issued in Russia, suggesting rising battlefield injuries and growing strain on the country’s medical services.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, days ago, the Ukrainian Army reported that Russia’s frontline losses have surpassed one million soldiers. These heavy casualties result from Russia’s continued offensive operations across multiple sectors of the front, which often involve direct frontal assaults.
Massive rise in prosthetics issued across Russia
Open-source data cited by the Ministry’s 17 June update points to a 53% increase in artificial limbs issued in Russia in 2024 compared to the previous year. The figures, reportedly sourced from Russia’s Ministry of Labor, indicate that around 152,500 prosthetic limbs were provided to individuals with disabilities last year. Notably, arm prosthetics saw a 75% surge in issuance. During the same period, wheelchair distribution also climbed by 18%, reflecting a broader rise in mobility-related disability cases.
The update referred to earlier reporting by the independent Russian media outlet Verstka. According to that report, Russian soldiers with amputated limbs had been left waiting for extended periods before receiving necessary prosthetics.
UK intelligence points to medical system strain
UK Defense Intelligence assessed that Russia is “almost certainly failing to provide necessary combat medical treatment at the front line.” The update noted that this failure contributes to “a greater number of serious long-term injuries amongst Russian soldiers.” It also stated that the significant rise in the number of Russian men with disabilities, along with other wounded personnel, “will almost certainly have a detrimental long-term impact on both medical and social services in Russia.”
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The Czech Republic has secured funding to continue delivering artillery ammunition to Ukraine into next year, but the future of this initiative may depend on the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections in October.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, the Czechia-led shell initiative has played a key role in addressing Ukraine’s shell shortage by streamlining global large-caliber ammunition supplies while ensuring supplier anonymity to shield participants from Russian pressure.
Czech program closes Ukraine’s artillery gap
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told Bloomberg in an interview that the Czech-led program to source heavy ammunition for Ukraine, funded by a coalition of 11 countries, has significantly changed the situation on the battlefield. According to Lipavský, Ukrainian forces, who at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 had only one artillery round for every ten fired by Russia, now have one for every two.
The Czech Republic has committed to delivering 1.8 million shells to Ukraine this year under this program. Lipavský described the effort as a “game changer” and emphasized that it plays a vital role as US support weakens and efforts by President Donald Trump to end the war remain stalled.
Political future of the ammunition effort uncertain
Despite the success and international backing of the initiative, Lipavský warned that its continuation hinges on maintaining political support after the Czech parliamentary elections scheduled for 3–4 October 2025.
“We’ve secured funding for next year,” said Lipavský, adding that the Czech Republic has also trained 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers and intends to begin training Ukrainian pilots. “What is absolutely crucial is to preserve political support for the ammunition initiative after Czech parliamentary elections,” he said.
Polls indicate that the current center-right government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala is trailing behind former Prime Minister and billionaire Andrej Babiš, who is leading ahead of the vote.
Babiš has openly criticized supplying arms to Ukraine and hosting Ukrainian war refugees.
Far-right ties and NATO defense spending on agenda
Lipavský accused Babis of “far-right populism,” referencing the ex-premier’s alignment with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and France’s National Rally in forming a nationalist bloc in the European Parliament last year.
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Austria’s energy ministry has denied that the country is considering resuming Russian gas imports after a potential peace in Ukraine, following controversial comments made by state secretary for energy Elisabeth Zehetner, Euroactiv reports.
Austria had relied on Russian energy for nearly 60 years before switching to LNG imports via Germany earlier in 2025. This transition was part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on Kremlin-controlled energy in response to Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. The controversy surrounding Zehetner’s comments comes as the EU finalizes legislation to end all reliance on Russian energy sources by 2027.
While attending talks in Luxembourg on the EU’s Russian energy exit plan, Zehetner said on 16 June,
“Once the war is over, this must of course be taken into account,” she said. Reuters also reported that Zehetner also repeated these point to diplomats.
The remark, interpreted by many as a suggestion that Austria could return to importing gas from Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom, caused swift criticism from Austrian lawmakers in Brussels.
On 17 June, the Austrian Energy Ministry released a statement denying any such plans, saying,
“The widely circulated claim that Austria wants to resume importing Russian gas after the war, let alone at the present time, is simply false.”
According to Euroactiv, the Ministry emphasized Austria’s alignment with the EU’s energy goals, stating that an EU ban on Russian gas would send “the right signal” to Moscow. However, the statement also noted that energy policy must ensure “affordable energy prices… also in the future.”
Austria’s energy concerns ahead of 2027 deadline
Euroactiv says Vienna has raised specific questions as the European Commission prepares to propose legislation to fully phase out Russian energy by 2027. Among the concerns are whether infrastructure for alternative sources will be ready in time, the potential impact on power and gas prices, and how to ensure future gas supplies are not indirectly linked to Russia.
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North Korea has decided to send at least 6,000 more of its military personnel to Russia, with the stated purpose of helping restore infrastructure in Kursk Oblast, according to Russian officials. Earlier reports indicated that more than half of an initial 11,000-strong North Korean contingent had been lost during combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the same area.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, North Korea became Moscow’s primary supplier of artillery ammunition. Additionally, Pyongyang supplies Russia with artillery systems and ballistic missiles. Moreover, North Korea sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russians against Ukraine.
Deployment plans confirmed by Shoigu
Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, announced the move following a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Interfax Russia reports that Shoigu specified the alleged composition of the incoming forces:
“Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong Un has decided to send one thousand sappers to Russia for demining operations, as well as five thousand military builders for restoring damaged infrastructure.”
Shoigu stated that the deployment followed negotiations aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries and enhancing North Korea’s support in rebuilding Kursk Oblast.
Shoigu also revealed plans to honor Korean People’s Army (KPA) soldiers who, according to Russian authorities, participated in military actions to “liberate Russian territory.”
“Our leaders decided to immortalize the heroism of Korean People’s Army soldiers who took part in combat operations,” he said.
As part of this initiative, new memorials will be constructed in both Russia and North Korea.
Shoigu’s visit to North Korea, carried out on 17 June by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, marks his second trip to Pyongyang in recent weeks. The previous visit occurred on 4 June, during which Shoigu and Kim Jong Un discussed Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, bilateral cooperation, and specific elements of their newly ratified strategic partnership.
More than half of Pyongyang forces in Kursk lost earlier
The British Defense Ministry stated earlier that over 6,000 troops from the Korean People’s Army were lost during offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in the area. The total KPA presence initially amounted to approximately 11,000 troops, making the losses exceed 50%.
Last June, Russia and North Korea signed a Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Pyongyang.
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In recent weeks, the Trump administration has quietly disbanded a working group formed to develop strategies for pressuring Russia into peace talks with Ukraine, three US officials told Reuters. The move follows a suspension of a separate initiative countering Russian disinformation. Trump’s broader peacemaking efforts, including in the Middle East, have also struggled in recent months.
This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s pivot towards Russia, as he pushes for Kyiv-Moscow talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, while Russia has been escalating its air attacks against Ukrainian residential areas, targeting civilians.
Group lost momentum amid Trump’s waning interest
Set up earlier this spring, the inter-agency group included officials from the National Security Council (NSC), State Department, Treasury, Pentagon, and intelligence community. It lost relevance by May as Trump appeared increasingly uninterested in tougher action against Moscow.
“The effort […] lost steam toward the end because the president wasn’t there. Instead of doing more, maybe he wanted to do less,” one official said.
Officials said the group explored ways to pressure post-Soviet states to restrict trade with Russia, including incentives for Kazakhstan to curb sanctions evasion. However, no policies were enacted before the group’s shutdown.
Roughly three weeks ago, most members of the NSC’s Ukraine team were dismissed, including top Europe-Russia adviser Andrew Peek. The purge made it nearly impossible to continue the effort.
The existence of the group had not been publicly known. Its end raises concerns among European allies, especially ahead of an upcoming NATO summit, over Trump’s mixed signals on supporting Ukraine.
Shift in tone despite earlier frustration with Russia
The group was formed as Trump publicly expressed anger at Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying in March he was “pissed off” over attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy. Still, Trump has since suggested the US might abandon peace efforts altogether.
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Ukraine has launched its first concrete action under a high-profile minerals agreement with the United States, moving to open a major lithium deposit to private investment — a step aimed at proving to the Trump administration that the deal can yield results, NYT says.
The reported decision to move forward on the Dobra field comes as Trump pushes for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Back on 30 April, Ukraine and the US reached a long-anticipated deal on critical minerals extraction after months of preparation and setbacks. The deal notably lacks US security guarantees for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
Ukraine begins process to open Dobra lithium field
On 16 June 2025, Ukrainian authorities approved initial measures to allow companies to bid for mining rights at the Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine. According to two government officials who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the government has agreed to begin drafting recommendations to open bidding.
The Dobra site is one of Ukraine’s largest lithium deposits — a key mineral in electric battery production. The move marks the first practical step under the broader minerals deal signed in April 2025 between Kyiv and Washington.
The agreement stipulates that 50% of revenues generated from mineral extraction would go into a joint US-Ukraine investment fund, with the remainder also benefiting the US through shared returns. Former President Donald Trump has publicly framed this arrangement as partial repayment for previous American aid to Ukraine.
One of the leading investor groups expected to bid is a consortium that includes TechMet — an energy firm partially owned by the US government — and Ronald S. Lauder, a billionaire and close associate of Trump. According to The New York Times, this group has long expressed interest in the Dobra site and had urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late 2023 to open it for development.
US Treasury and Ukrainian economy ministers engaged in deal talks
Earlier this month, a Ukrainian delegation led by Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington to present mineral exploitation projects involving lithium, titanium, and graphite. After meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Svyrydenko said, “These are exactly the kinds of strategic initiatives where US-Ukraine cooperation can deliver mutual benefit.”
The meeting followed the April 2025 signing of the minerals agreement, which was attended by Svyrydenko and Bessent. The Ukrainian government distributed a photo of the event via Agence France-Presse showing both officials signing documents in Washington.
Despite this progress, industry analysts warn that any significant output or revenue from the minerals pact could take a decade or more.
Expanding the scope: Ukraine’s defense industry as an investment option
In addition to minerals, Ukraine’s government is seeking to direct part of the joint investment fund toward its defense sector. Economy Minister Svyrydenko has proposed using future revenues to support domestic arms manufacturing, citing the country’s ability to produce drones, artillery, and shells at far lower costs than the US or EU.
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Slovenia’s Ministry of Defense announced on 13 June it had placed an order for 12 CAESAR 6×6 wheeled self-propelled howitzers from France, with deliveries set to begin in 2028. Army Recognition reported the deal, which places Slovenia among several nations waiting for delivery of the in-demand French artillery systems. Defense Express says the order appears at odds with France’s earlier commitment to send all CAESARs produced in 2025 to Ukraine.
This comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been in its fourth year, with Moscow still holding an artillery advantage over Ukraine. While allies continue supplying various artillery systems and ammunition, Ukraine has increased domestic production of the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer to at least 20 units per month.
France promised 2025-made CAESARs to Ukraine
Defense Express notes that the new Slovenian contract raises questions about how France will manage competing obligations. In May 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron committed to supplying Ukraine with all CAESAR howitzers produced during the year. However, deliveries to Slovenia indicate that not all units manufactured in 2025 may be reserved for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Production rate and delivery timeline reshaped by high demand
France has recently accelerated its production rate for the CAESAR system. As of November 2024, the production cycle had been reduced from 30 months to 15, with monthly output reaching up to 12 units. This shift means that artillery systems promised for 2025 delivery entered production no earlier than January 2024 and will be completed by late 2026.
Domestic and export contracts filling the production queue
France’s defense industry is facing a large backlog, according to Defense Express. Beyond Slovenia, existing confirmed export contracts include 18 units for Lithuania and 9 for Belgium. Additional reports mention potential orders from Croatia and Armenia, though unit numbers remain undisclosed.
The production schedule is also impacted by France’s own military needs. In February 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces placed an order for 109 CAESAR Mk2 units—the largest domestic acquisition for the system to date.
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US President Donald Trump has delayed support for a new round of sanctions against Russia, saying they are too costly for the United States and that he wants to see if a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv can be reached first. His position has caused a rift with other G7 leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who are pushing ahead with new punitive measures.
This comes as US President Donald Trump continues to push for talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. But the negotiations he has promoted have proven fruitless, with not even a ceasefire achieved. While Trump insists on dialogue, Russia continues its deadly air campaign against Ukrainian cities, targeting residential neighborhoods and killing civilians — only last night, at least 15 Ukrainians were killed and nearly 130 injured in Russia’s massive missile and drone strike.
Trump says sanctions are expensive and not one-sided
According to BBC and Suspilne, Trump told journalists during the G7 summit in Canada that he was not ready to support additional sanctions. When asked why the US was not taking unilateral action, Trump said it is because he was “waiting to see whether or not a deal” could be agreed between Ukraine and Russia.
He also mentioned the financial burden of sanctions on the US economy as another excuse. Trump said that “sanctions cost [the US] a lot of money” for the US. “You’re talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It’s not just a one-way street,” he claimed.
Politico also reported Trump’s earlier remarks at the summit, where he said Europeans should “do it first” and repeated concerns over the economic cost.
The US President left the summit early on 16 June, ahead of a joint G7 session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled for 17 June.
Starmer and Macron back tougher measures despite US hesitation
In contrast to Trump’s position, other G7 leaders continued to coordinate new sanctions. BBC reported that the UK would announce a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measures were being finalized alongside other G7 partners and would “squeeze Russia’s energy revenues and reduce the funds they are able to pour into their illegal war.”
“The fact is, Russia doesn’t hold all the cards,” Starmer said.
Politico reported that French President Emmanuel Macron remained hopeful about potential US involvement. Macron said he had discussed the matter privately with Trump, who, according to Macron, responded “quite positively.” Macron said Trump indicated he would not currently block new US sanctions proposed by Republican lawmakers.
“This is very good news for me,” Macron said.
Sanctions talks focus on oil revenue and financial pressure
The discussions among G7 leaders also included a reassessment of the price cap on Russian crude oil, which had been set at $60 per barrel in December 2022.
The European Commission is proposing to cut the cap to $45 per barrel, while Ukraine wants a more drastic cut to $30. The UK’s new sanctions are expected to align with the goal of weakening Russia’s energy revenue, which continues to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
The BBC also reported that Ukraine’s Western partners are seeking a stronger package of economic penalties, with the European Commission’s 18th sanctions package proposing restrictions on Russia’s energy sector, banking system, and transactions related to the Nord Stream project.
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On 17 June, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that its defense forces neutralized 428 out of 472 Russian airborne threats launched during a large-scale night assault that began at 20:00 on 16 June. The full breakdown of the attack was published by the Air Force and included drones, cruise missiles, aeroballistic missiles, and guided aerial weapons.
Earlier, local authorities reported that the attack killed 14 people and injured 104 in Kyiv, while one civilian was reported dead and 17 injured in Odesa.
This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s push for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, purportedly aimed at ending the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Russia continues its deliberate daily air attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure, particularly targeting energy infrastructure and apartment buildings, aiming to disrupt civilian life.
Kyiv identified as the main target
According to the Air Force, the primary direction of the strike was Kyiv. Defense efforts were carried out by aviation units, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare (EW) units, and unmanned systems belonging to Ukraine’s defense forces.
The Air Force detailed that Russia launched 472 air attack assets during the night:
440 drones, including Shahed one-way attack drones and decoy UAVs, launched from Kursk, Shatalovo, Oryol, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia. Approximately 280 of these were Shahed drones.
2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from the airspace over Tambov Oblast.
16 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from strategic aviation aircraft over Saratov Oblast.
4 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea.
9 Kh-59/69 guided missiles launched from tactical aircraft over Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts.
1 Kh-31P anti-radar missile.
Interception results and methods
Of the 472 airborne threats:
262 were destroyed using firepower.
166 were either jammed or lost radar contact (“disappeared from radars”).
Intercepted weapons reportedly included:
239 Shahed and similar drones shot down by fire, and 163 “locationally lost” or jammed.
The Air Force’s term “locationally lost” refers to aerial targets that disappeared from radar tracking, likely having crashed before reaching their intended targets.
The data suggests that at least 38 drones and six missiles may have reached their intended targets.
Damage and impact on the ground
The Air Force recorded impacts in 10 locations where enemy air weapons struck. In addition, debris from intercepted threats fell in 34 other locations.
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Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian residential neighborhoods, injuring civilians. In the early hours of 17 June, Russia launched a massive combined air attack on Ukraine, hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike “one of the most terrible attacks on Kyiv” and confirmed that a total of more than 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched overnight. According to him, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Mykolaiv Oblast, and Kyiv Oblast were also targeted. As of 9:30, Kyiv authorities confirmed 14 dead and more than 100 injured. In Odesa, the oblast administration reported 1 person killed and 17 injured in the strike.
This comes as G7 leaders meet in Canada, where US President Donald Trump, who pushes for an unrealistic peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, told reporters he would not approve new sanctions against Russia. According to him, the sanctions are costly for the US and he still hopes to see if his deal would be signed.
Kyiv’s air raid alert began at 21:14 on 16 June and lasted until 6:06 on 17 June. The first explosions occurred at midnight. Initial reports at 2:40 confirmed 16 injuries, mainly in the Solomianskyi district. Later, injuries were also reported in the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
By 6:54, over 40 people were confirmed injured, more than 30 of them hospitalized. At 9:29, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported 99 confirmed injuries, later updating the number to 104. Of those, 59 were hospitalized.
Aftermath of Russia’s air attack on Kyiv on 17 June 2025. Photo: Emergency Service.
Among the dead was a 62-year-old US citizen, who died in the Solomianskyi district. Klitschko stated that the man died “in front of a house where medics were helping other people injured by the shelling.”
In Kyiv, a nine-story residential building was struck in the Solomianskyi district, with an entire section of the building destroyed “down to the basement,” according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Emergency services were still searching the rubble for survivors.
Damage following the combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv. Photo: Kyrylo Chubotin/Ukrinform
Infrastructure damage included destroyed buildings in eight districts of the city. The Kyiv Aviation Institute reported that its dormitory No. 10 was hit by a drone. Three other dormitories suffered shattered windows from the blast wave. A kindergarten was damaged in the Darnytskyi district. Public transport was affected, with tram routes No. 15 and 22 halted and traffic blocked on Boryspilska Street, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.
As of 9:29, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported14 confirmed fatalities and 104 injuries.
This was one of the most extensive Russian air assaults on Kyiv in recent months. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that Russia used 175 drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles, deliberately targeting civilian housing in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that “such attacks are pure terrorism” and urged the international community to respond accordingly.
“Russia destroyed an entire section of a residential building. Buildings in eight districts of Kyiv were damaged. Work continues at all impact sites. All victims are receiving the necessary help. At this time, 15 people are reported dead. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” he posted.
He continued:
“Putin does this only because he can afford to continue the war. He wants war to continue. It is bad when the powerful of this world turn a blind eye to this. We are in contact with all partners at all possible levels so there is a proper response. These terrorists must feel pain, not peaceful, normal people.”
Strikes on Odesa and Zaporizhzhia
In Odesa, 17 people were injured, and one woman was killed. According to Odesa Oblast Military Administration official Oleksandr Kharlov, a 60-year-old woman was missing after failing to respond to the air raid alert. Later reports confirmed that her body was found under the rubble. Kharlov also said another person was being searched for at a different location.
Rescuer helps a woman in Odesa following Russia’s air attack on 17 June 2025. Photo: Emergency Service
Among the injured were a pregnant woman and a 17-year-old girl. One person was hospitalized; others were treated on an outpatient basis. Damage in the city included residential buildings, an inclusive education center, a preschool, and private garages.
In Zaporizhzhia, a missile damaged a multi-story apartment building and a dormitory. Regional head Ivan Fedorov reported that over 50 apartments had windows blown out by the blast wave. No casualties were reported.
Updates:
Ukraine’s Air Force says Russia used 440 drones and 32 missiles in deadly overnight attack against Ukraine. Of those, air defenders neutralized 402 drones and 26 missiles.
Injury toll reaches 114, day of mourning declared in Kyiv
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that three people were killed in Darnytsia District as a result of the large-scale Russian air assault on the city. By 10:05, medical services had received 114 victims, with 68 hospitalized and the rest treated on-site.
The city declared 18 June as a Day of Mourning, during which flags on all municipal buildings will be flown at half-staff, and entertainment events are banned.
Aftermath of Russia’s missile and drone strike on Kyiv overnight on 17 June 2025. Photo: Emergency Service.
Search-and-rescue efforts continue in Solomyanskyi District, where emergency crews are still working through the rubble, according to Klitschko.
It remains unclear whether the newly confirmed fatalities are part of the 14 earlier reported by the Kyiv City Military Administration. The injury count has risen from a previous 104.
Russia hit 27 locations in Kyiv, including homes and infrastructure, five people missing
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that 27 locations across Kyiv came under attack overnight on 17 June. The strikes damaged residential buildings, educational facilities, and critical infrastructure.
“We received information about at least five missing residents of the building. Rescuers will clear the rubble until we are sure that everyone is safe and receiving help.”
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said 296 rescuers and 75 vehicles are currently involved in response efforts across the city.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister condemns attack during G7 summit
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack a deliberate Russian act to coincide with the ongoing G7 summit in Canada.
Writing on X, Sybiha said Russia does this on purpose to send a signal of total disrespect to the US and other partners, while “pretending to seek diplomatic solutions.”
This night, Russia launched a massive and brutal strike against Ukraine. Hundreds of drones and missiles targeting civilians. Kyiv suffered particularly severe attacks.
Putin does this on purpose, just during the G7 summit. He sends a signal of total disrespect to the United… pic.twitter.com/4XHoKWPu3R
CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia railway company CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi reported damage to freight cars carrying grain in Kyiv following the night’s missile and drone strikes. However, he assured that operations would be swiftly restored and train schedules would not be affected.
Grain railcars damaged in Russia’s air attack on Kyiv on 17 June 2025. Photo: Facebook/Oleksandr Pertsovskyi
National postal operator Ukrposhta also suffered damage, with two branches—No. 03124 and No. 03126—destroyed. According to CEO Ihor Smilianskyi, a new branch is expected to start operating at an alternate address by 18 June.
Energy company DTEK reported that 1,148 Kyiv residents were left without electricity as a result of the Russian strikes.
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Ukraine is preparing to launch serial production of its domestically developed ballistic missile known as Sapsan or Hrim-2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed during a meeting with journalists, after unofficial media reports.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Ukraine has improved its Neptune cruise missiles—initially developed shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022—and recently created smaller, cheaper “missile drones.” Meanwhile, ballistic missile programs have seen slower progress: the only known project, the Hrim-2 ballistic missile system, has reportedly had a successful combat trial in 2024 but has been finalized only now. Ballistic missiles are significantly faster than cruise missiles and much harder to intercept.
Zelenskyy confirms production plans, timeline unclear
During the press briefing on 13 June, Zelenskyy addressed the recent emergence of information regarding the Sapsan missile. The President noted that work is ongoing toward mass production but emphasized that other details have been classified:
“Now we’re working on developing the capability for mass production of the ballistic missile. When, how, in what quantity—I can’t say,” he stated, as reported by Fakty ICTV on 14 June.
Earlier, speaking to United24, Defense Express analyst Ivan Kyrychevskyi claimed that despite frequent references to the missile system by its former project names as Sapsan or Hrim-2, it does not currently have an official name. He stated that earlier labels were primarily used for export marketing to Saudi Arabia prior to Russia’s all-out war, and now the missile remains officially nameless.
First media report: Tests completed, production begins
Earlier on 13 June, Liga published an article by Valentyn Badrak, director of the Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies. According to Badrak, the missile underwent successful combat testing in May 2025 and is now being transitioned into serial production.
Badrak emphasized the missile’s combat readiness and described it as “a large, powerful weapon,” noting that its warhead weighs 480 kilograms. He cited military sources who reported no remaining barriers to mass production, stating that coordination between the Defense Ministry and Ministry of Strategic Industries has been achieved.
Badrak also referred to a key earlier test in July 2024, where the Sapsan demonstrated a speed of 5.2 Mach. He stated that this performance makes it faster than the US ATACMS and close in capability to the Russian Iskander missiles.
Top defense priority for Ukraine
The same day, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoliy Klochko highlighted the strategic importance of the domestic missile program, stating,
“The issue of Ukrainian ballistics today is not first, second, or third—it’s out of line. It’s a top priority.”
He also said a great deal of work has already been completed in this area, with increased focus now being directed toward national ballistic capabilities.
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Ukraine conducted another prisoner swap with Russia, returning home dozens of wounded, ill, and young defenders, many of whom had been held since 2022. Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and POW HQ did not specify the exact number of POWs returned in this exchange. One of the photos shows at least 41 people.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. On 2 June, the second round of low-level negotiations took place in Türkiye, yielding no progress on a ceasefire. Russia instead reiterated its maximalist demands, effectively amounting to Ukrainian capitulation, while simultaneously intensifying air attacks against Ukrainian civilians. The only outcome of the talks was the agreement to exchange specific categories of POWs.
Fourth exchange in one week
On 14 June 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his official Telegram channel that Ukraine had carried out the fourth prisoner exchange in a single week.
“We continue to bring our people back from Russian captivity,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that many of those released had been in Russian hands since 2022 and included servicemen from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.
“We must free everyone and we’re working toward this so that no one is left to the enemy,” Zelenskyy stated, thanking all those contributing to the process.
A Ukrainian birder guard returned from Russian captivity on 14 June 2025. Photo: Ukraine’s State Border Service
Wounded, seriously ill, and young defenders returned
According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this latest exchange was part of a broader deal focusing on releasing those who are wounded or seriously ill. It was carried out under agreements previously reached with Russia in Istanbul.
The returned soldiers include members of the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, Navy, Territorial Defense Forces, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that the majority had been in captivity since 2022, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.
Ukrainian POWs released on 14 June 2025. Photo: Telegram/Zelenskyy Official
High number of officers and young servicemen among released
Most of the freed defenders reportedly were officers, while some were under the age of 25. They had fought on multiple fronts, including the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kursk directions. Their release marks a significant development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to bring its soldiers home.
The Coordination Headquarters confirmed that all released defenders will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and receive physical and psychological rehabilitation. They will also be granted the full financial compensation due for the duration of their captivity.
2022 Mariupol Defense
The defense of Mariupol in 2022 resulted in heavy losses for Ukraine, with hundreds of servicemen captured after the fall of the Azovstal plant. Since then, Ukraine has conducted multiple prisoner swaps, often focusing on those with severe injuries or health conditions, facilitated through international negotiations.
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Near the frontline, a Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft crashed on 13 June under unclear circumstances in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, with reports and video footage suggesting multiple possible causes, including friendly fire and structural failure.
In an environment saturated with air defenses on both sides of the frontline, close support aircraft—such as attack jets and gunships—are limited to operating from a distance and making low-level passes, launching inaccurate unguided rockets from the farthest possible range.
According to Militarnyi, sources close to Russian military personnel confirmed that a Su-25 of the Russian Aerospace Forces was lost in an aviation incident. Russian blogger Illia Tumanov and the Russian aviation channel Fighterbomber reported that the pilot survived. The Telegram channel Aviahub also confirmed the loss, noting that there was no evidence of hostile fire impacting the aircraft.
Those Russian sources did not disclose the cause of the crash or the location of the aircraft’s fall. A Ukrainian source, however, reported that the incident occurred near occupied Soledar, Donetsk Oblast.
— Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 13, 2025
Possibly, blue-on-blue
A later update introduced video footage that verified the aircraft’s destruction and allowed Militarnyi to formulate potential explanations:
One theory suggests the Su-25 may have been hit by a missile fired by another Su-25 flying behind it. The rocket was launched at close range, and may have struck the aircraft’s wing. The warhead might not have exploded due to the fuse failing to arm at such a short distance, but the impact alone could have caused serious damage. Although the footage shows the launch occurred on the left side and the right wing detached, video perspective makes it difficult to be certain—so this theory remains plausible.
A second theory suggests accidental missile malfunction, where the unguided rocket failed to launch properly and exploded, damaging the plane. A white smoke cloud appearing at the moment of the wing’s detachment supports this idea, though it might also be vaporized aviation fuel from the airframe rupture.
A third potential explanation is a structural defect in the aircraft’s frame. The wing broke off during a turn—a moment of maximum structural stress. With the average age of Russian Su-25s nearing 40 years, such failures are increasingly frequent. This theory is supported by the history of multiple similar incidents during the current war.
Long history of Russia’s non-combat Su-25 losses
The Russian Air Force has seen several losses of Su-25s not related to combat. In March this year, a jet went downduring a training flight in Russia’s Primorsky Krai after both engines failed. In 2023, two Su-25s were lost to technical issues—one fell into the Sea of Azov during a combat sortie, and another crashed in Belgorod Oblast. Both pilots died.
A similar crash occurred in September 2022, when a Su-25 went down right after takeoff due to control failure during a combat mission.
“Also, a number of Russian attack aircraft losses have been caused by the specific nature of the Russian-Ukrainian war. One of the main factors, in particular, is poor coordination between Russian aviation and its own air defense units, which have repeatedly launched interceptors at them,” Militarnyi wrote.
In December 2023, then-Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk commented on a crash, asserting that Russian air defenses shot down their own Su-25.
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In the early hours of 14 June, Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine, deploying 58 Shahed-type drones, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. Air defenses neutralized 43 of them, including 23 shot down by fire and 20 suppressed or lost from radar through electronic warfare. Hits were recorded in nine locations, and drone debris fell in at least five. The Russian drones injured three people in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, while other attack hurt more people in Donetsk and Kherson oblast, according to local authorities.
As US President Donald Trump continues to push for Kyiv-Moscow talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russia continues its daily explosive drone attacks against Ukrainian residential neighborhoods, injuring civilians. The latest attacks involved several dozen drones — a far cry from the massive barrages earlier this month, which unleashed hundreds of drones alongside frequent missile strikes.
Zaporizhzhia hit hardest in drone assault: civilians injured, fires reported
According to the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, 14 Shahed drones targeted Zaporizhzhia. The strikes hit residential buildings, a public transport stop, and a store. A humanitarian aid warehouse was destroyed.
“This is our main warehouse. We’ve been helping people for three years. We provided humanitarian aid: food, hygiene products. Now everything is destroyed.”
Emergency services responded to fires that broke out in vehicles, multiple buildings, and the warehouse. Over ten cars burned in a parking area. At least 15 apartment blocks, one-family homes, and non-residential buildings were damaged.
In Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Russian drones caused four direct hits overnight on 14 June. The City Military Administration reported shattered windows, blown-off doors, and damage to garages in both residential and administrative structures.
However, Kharkiv Oblast authorities confirmed that there were no injuries over the past 24 hours despite attacks on five settlements. The region came under varied weaponry, including six KAB guided bombs, one FAB-1500 bomb, four Shahed-136 drones (which the oblast administration, for some reason, persistently calls by their Russian designation, Geran-2), and one FPV drone.
Sumy Oblast suffers intense shelling with no casualties
Russian forces struck Sumy Oblast nearly 70 times between the mornings of 13 and 14 June, according to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration. The attacks targeted 21 settlements in nine communities. Most occurred in Sumy Raion. Weapons included around 30 drone-dropped VOG grenades and almost 10 air-dropped KAB bombs.
Two households were damaged in a strike on Pishchane, as confirmed by local official Mykola Sachenko. No casualties were reported.
Five injured in Kherson Oblast as attacks continue
Various Russian attacks targeted Kherson Oblast, with 23 under fire in the past 24 hours. Oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin reported on 14 June that five people were injured. Airstrikes and artillery fire damaged an apartment building, six one-family homes, a gas station, a gas pipeline, a garage, and vehicles.
Russians kill one civilian, injure two others in Donetsk Oblast
According to Donetsk Oblast authorities, Russian strikes resulted in one death and two injuries on 13 June.
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The United States is blocking European efforts to cut the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, frustrating EU and UK attempts to ramp up pressure on Moscow’s war financing, Bloomberg reports.
This comes amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, as Israel’s attacks on Iran have driven up oil prices—potentially increasing Russia’s export revenues used to fund its war. At the same time, President Donald Trump’s administration has not introduced new sanctions against Russia and has instead advocated for restoring normal relations with Moscow, while pressing for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks and pressuring Ukraine to halt its resistance to Russian aggression.
The EU and UK could consider lowering the cap without the US, according to one of Bloomberg’s sources. The US, however, is not shifting its stance on the oil cap despite calls from the European Union and the UK to lower the limit. The proposal, aimed at reducing Russian oil revenues used to sustain its war against Ukraine, faces US resistance just ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Canada.
People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the final decision on any change rests with President Donald Trump. However, those sources said there has been no indication of flexibility from Washington since the US position was set during a G7 finance ministers’ meeting earlier this year.
Europe’s proposal forms part of latest sanctions package
The push to reduce the cap to $45 per barrel is part of the EU’s new sanctions package against Russia. The measure is intended to limit Russia’s capacity to fund its ongoing invasion of Ukraine by cutting deeper into its oil profits.
Given that most Russian oil shipments pass near European waters, unilateral European action could still have some impact. However, officials acknowledge that a coordinated G7 effort involving the US would be significantly more effective, largely because of US enforcement capabilities.
Oil prices, which had fallen below the $60 G7 ceiling, surged following Israeli strikes on Iran.
The current $60 per barrel cap was originally introduced by the G-7 as part of broader sanctions designed to curb Russian revenue while maintaining global supply. Enforcement of this cap relies heavily on G7 members, especially the US, which has extensive influence over global shipping and insurance mechanisms.
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Ukrainian drones struck two Russian plants overnight on 14 June, damaging facilities connected to explosive production and petrochemical refining in southern Russia’s Stavropol Krai and the Volga region’s Samara Oblast. Videos from the scene, shared by several Telegram channels, show drone flyovers, interceptions, fires at the facilities, and the aftermath of the strikes.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian military, defense industry, and energy infrastructure in both occupied territories and inside Russia. The ongoing air campaign is aimed at crippling Russian military logistics and its capacity to continue the war.
Strikes on Nevinnomysk Azot in Stavropol
According to Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation (UCCD), the Nevinnomysk Azot plant in Stavropol Krai was one of the main targets. The factory produces over a million tons of ammonia and ammonium nitrate annually—essential components in explosive manufacturing.
Additional footage from Nevinnomysk shows that Ukraine has likely used its legendary Liutyi long-range kamikaze drones.
The UCCD noted that the facility also synthesizes melamine, acetic acid, methanol, and potassium nitrate—dual-use chemicals often utilized in explosives and military charges. Since 2024, the plant has also been producing water-soluble fertilizers tailored for military chemistry applications.
Footage shared by Telegram channels suggests the control room of Nevinnomysk Azot may have been destroyed.
Regional governor Vladimir Vladimirovclaimed “debris” from a drone fell in the city’s industrial zone.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the strike aimed to degrade Russia’s capacity to produce explosives and munitions. The General Staff described the Nevinnomysk facility as a key supplier for Russia’s war against Ukraine, reporting multiple explosions and fires at the site.
Azot is a typical Soviet-era name of a chemical factory, producing nitrogen-based chemicals such as ammonia. Recently, one of the other Azots was attacked in Russia’s Tula Oblast.
Drone attack on Samara Oblast industrial site
In a parallel operation, drones struck another major industrial site in Novokuybyshevsk, Samara Oblast. The Ukrainian military identified the target as the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company (NNK), a top-tier supplier of components used in artillery explosives.
The company is among Russia’s five largest producers in gas-processing and petrochemical sectors and the country’s only maker of synthetic ethanol and para-tert-butylphenol (PTBF)—both linked to explosive compounds.
More footage from Nevinnomysk – the indoor video allegedly shows the factory's control room.
Local residents reported the attack and resulting fire, and some Ukrainian sources suggested that the Novokuybyshevsk Catalyst Plant might have been the target. The facility focuses on regenerating catalysts for the oil processing and chemical industries and developing new types of catalysts and adsorbents through experimental production.
Samara Oblast governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed a UAV attack attempt on one of Novokuybyshevsk’s industrial facilities, stating there were no casualties or major damage.
According to the Militarnyi outlet, NNK supplies ingredients to the Kazan Powder Plant and the Sverdlov Plant, both engaged in manufacturing explosive materials including octogen and hexogen. Public contracts show transactions worth hundreds of millions of rubles for explosive production materials, highlighting the plant’s direct ties to Russia’s defense sector.
The Ukrainian General Staff described the Novokuybyshevsk plant as directly involved in supplying components for Russia’s artillery shell production.
Ukrainian military confirms targeting of military-linked facilities
The Ukrainian Army General Staff reported that the attacks on Novokuybyshevsk and Nevinnomsk facilities were part of broader operations to weaken Russia’s ability to manufacture munitions and explosives. It confirmed strikes on “key military-industrial complex facilities,” citing confirmed explosions and fires.
The military stressed that its drone strikes were conducted in coordination with other Ukrainian Defense Forces units and reiterated its commitment to undermining Russia’s war capacity.
Damage assessment is ongoing, according to the report.
Russian claims
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense downed 66 Ukrainian drones during the night, failing even to mention Samara Oblast. The MoD claimed the interceptions included 30 in Voronezh Oblast, 10 in Belgorod Oblast, eight in Stavropol Krai, and six in occupied Crimea.
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A Ukrainian air defense brigade used the newly delivered German IRIS-T air defense system to destroy seven Russian cruise missiles during its first operational engagement by the unit, Militarnyi reported on 13 June. The Lviv-based anti-aircraft missile brigade achieved a new record during the battle, surpassing its previous results under Soviet-era systems.
The sources do not specify when or where the engagement took place, but given the brigade’s location and recent Russian air attacks, it was likely on 6 June, when a combined drone and missile assault targeted Ternopil, Lutsk, Kyiv, and Lviv—where Lviv local authorities reported that all threats were successfully neutralized.
Brigade intercepts every target with German system
According to the brigade’s commander Vitalii, the unit intercepted seven Russian cruise missiles during a large-scale missile and aviation assault.
“While repelling the massive missile and air strike, seven Russian cruise missiles entered our kill zone. We destroyed them one by one,” he said.
This marked the first combat use of IRIS-T by the brigade, and the results immediately exceeded their past performance.
S-300 replaced after years of reliable use
Before receiving IRIS-T, the brigade relied primarily on the Soviet-era S-300 complex. The commander emphasized that their previous maximum had been five targets in a single engagement when using the S-300.
“We worked well with the three-hundred. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we destroyed 55 enemy cruise missiles and drones,” said Vitaliy. Still, the new system brought an instant improvement, with the seven-missile battle setting a fresh benchmark.
IRIS-T earns confidence of Ukrainian defenders
Vitalii noted that the IRIS-T system had already earned trust within the brigade after its first successful engagement.
“This is a modern and precise system that has already won authority among our anti-aircraft forces,” he stated. “We are confident that with it we’ll surpass our previous result of 55 downed targets.”
The brigade regards this first success not as a peak, but as the start of a new chapter. According to Militarnyi, the air defense personnel are determined to keep building on the new tally.
IRIS-T designed for short-range precision defense
IRIS-T is a modern German short-range surface-to-air missile system built to protect ground forces near the front line. It is engineered to intercept enemy aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. At its core is the IRIS-T missile, which uses an infrared homing head and has been adapted for ground launch. Target locking occurs during the final flight phase via the infrared seeker.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding with IRIS missile manufacturer Diehl Defence in March.
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On 12 June, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a new phase of government discussions on the State Rearmament Program for 2027–2036, with the agenda focused on advancing air defense, space systems, drone capabilities, and robotic technologies, according to a 13 June report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The overhaul is part of Russia’s preparation for a prolonged war with Ukraine and potential future conflict with NATO, the think tank says.
This comes amid Russia’s major escalation of ground assaults and air attacks in Ukraine, while US President Donald Trump has pushed for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks for months, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, yet Russia has repeatedly reiterated its initial goals of the invasion, amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation, which proved Trump’s efforts ineffective.
During the meeting, Putin claimed that Russia’s air defense systems had ostensibly intercepted over 80,000 aerial targets since February 2022. Of these, 7,500 were described as operational-tactical and cruise missiles, which Putin said were “almost all” Western-made. He argued that Russia’s war in Ukraine demonstrated the need for a “universal air defense system” that can counter all types of projectiles.
Focus on AI, space capabilities, real-time command systems, naval rebuilding
Putin also emphasized the necessity for advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to be deeply embedded in Russian military systems. He outlined goals to develop a fleet of new, unspecified spacecraft aimed at improving reconnaissance and enabling real-time command and control capabilities. The Kremlin is also investing in the modernization of the Russian Navy and seeking to rebuild the Black Sea Fleet, which has sufferedheavylosses due to Ukrainian attacks.
“Putin’s statements regarding the need for enhanced Russian air defense systems are likely in part a response to Ukraine’s ‘OperationSpider Web,’ in which Ukrainian forces demonstrated an ability to achieve operational surprise and launch drones against airbases in Russia’s deep rear, highlighting the inability of air defenses in these areas to repel short-range Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone strikes,” ISW wrote.
Oil revenues may factor into strategy
Despite its ambitions, Russia’s ability to finance the vast rearmament remains unclear, ISW says. According to the think tank, the country’s defense industrial base (DIB) had already struggled with fulfilling both domestic and foreign military contracts before Western sanctions were imposed in 2022 in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
ISW suggests that rising oil prices—partly triggered by Israeli strikes against Iran—could help Russia finance some of its military goals if those prices remain elevated over the medium- to long-term.
The think tank concludes that the Kremlin is likely using battlefield lessons from its war in Ukraine to “inform adaptations of Russia’s military and preparing Russia’s DIB for a protracted war against Ukraine and a potential confrontation with NATO.”
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Oil prices surged by up to 14% following Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, Bloomberg reported on 13 June. The escalation immediately rattled global energy markets, with crude benchmarks jumping sharply amid fears of wider conflict in the Persian Gulf.
As Israel targeted Iran, Russia’s major ally, the attack also delivered unexpected economic relief to Russia. In April, Urals crude was priced at around $50—well below the $70 benchmark used in Russia’s federal budget—but has since climbed to $65, narrowing Moscow’s fiscal gap amid the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Crude markets react to military escalation in the Middle East
According to Bloomberg, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude topped $77 per barrel at one stage—the biggest intraday gain since May 2020—before easing to around $73. European natural gas also rallied, while gold approached record highs as investors sought safe-haven assets.
Israel targets Iranian nuclear and missile facilities
Last night, Israel struck multiple locations across Iran, including the Natanz nuclear site and facilities in Tabriz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at neutralizing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and confirmed that the campaign would continue. Hours later, the Israel Defense Forces stated that Iran responded with a wave of over 100 drones, and further missile retaliation was anticipated.
OPEC+ and IEA prepare for potential supply crisis
Analysts at SEB AB told Bloomberg that markets are not factoring in deep damage to Iranian infrastructure or full disruption through Hormuz. Still, the International Energy Agency has confirmed its readiness to release emergency reserves if needed. Meanwhile, OPEC+—with most spare capacity located in the Gulf—could raise production to stabilize prices, should the situation deteriorate further.
Russia’s reliance on oil and gas exports
In 2024, Russia’s oil and gas sector accounted for about 30 % of its federal budget revenue. Meanwhile, Russia’s military spending in 2025 is projected at 7.7 % of GDP and 12% increase against 2024—reflecting a highly militarized economy prioritizing arms and war-related production.
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Russia made more territorial gains in Ukraine in May 2025 than in nearly any month since the end of 2022, but the Kremlin’s aim is not only battlefield progress but also to shape perceptions in Western capitals, making a Russian victory appear inevitable and discouraging future support for Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported.
This comes as Russia has escalated is ground and air attacks, while US President Donald Trump continues to stall new sanctions drafted by Congress. For months, Trump has urged Kyiv and Moscow to begin peace talks, purportedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. However, Russia has consistently reaffirmed its original invasion objectives—effectively demanding Ukraine’s capitulation—rendering Trump’s efforts ineffective.
Kremlin intensifies multi-front assaults to create momentum
WSJ reports that the Russian offensive has expanded across several fronts, with the Kremlin probing for weaknesses while forcing Ukraine to defend along the entire 1,000 km front line. Moscow seeks to exploit its manpower advantage and the onset of summer foliage, which hampers Ukrainian drone visibility.
George Barros, an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War, told WSJ:
“The center of gravity for this war is not terrain—the place where it’s being decisively waged is the perception space in Western capitals.” He added, referring to the Russian reasoning behind the strategy: “If the map is moving, they’re able to say, ‘We’re making progress. Ukraine is screwed. How many more billions are you going to spend?’”
Kostyantynivka becomes key focus in eastern Ukraine
In Donetsk Oblast, Russia has shifted troops toward Kostiantynivka from Pokrovsk, surrounding the city on three sides. The city, a vital logistics hub, is under increased attack. A senior Ukrainian lieutenant fighting in the area told WSJ: “The city is rapidly transforming into a front line.” He also warned of frequent, precise Russian drone strikes enabled by fiber-optic drones capable of traveling up to 40 km — double their range a year ago.
Northern front sees renewed Russian push toward Sumy
In Ukraine’s north, Russian troops have entered Sumy Oblast after amassing over 50,000 soldiers. According to WSJ, one Ukrainian sergeant in the region said the Russians outnumber local troops roughly two-to-one. Russian forces appear to be attempting to seize Yunakivka and ultimately reach the regional capital of Sumy, located less than 30 km from the border.
Even where Russian forces have not advanced, assaults continue to fix Ukrainian forces in place. A Ukrainian captain in the Pokrovsk area told WSJ that Russian attacks happen at all hours:
“They want to reach the border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast—it’s important to them symbolically.”
Zaporizhzhia buildup raises concerns of wider offensive
Ukrainian officials and sources familiar with the matter told WSJ that Russia is also increasing its troop presence in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukrainian special forces have been sent there to reinforce defenses.
A senior lieutenant near Kostiantynivka summarized the toll of the ongoing campaign:
“We anticipate worsening conditions across all directions this summer. Personnel are exhausted. There are not enough rotations. Everyone is operating at the edge of their limits.”
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Russian forces are heavily bombarding Ukraine’s second defensive line in Donbas northeast of the city of Pokrovsk with precision airstrikes, with OSINT analyst Clément Molin reporting nearly 1,000 recent hits in a narrow section of the frontline.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian airstrikes on the eastern front are increasing monthly. Militarnyi notes that in February, Russian forces used approximately 3,370 guided aerial bombs. By March, that number had reached 4,800, and in April, over 5,000 were deployed. Additionally, the range of these bombs is increasing due to upgraded guidance and correction modules — with some reportedly now reaching distances up to 95 kilometers.
Targeted airstrike surge along Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka axis
Russian Aerospace Forces are actively conducting intense aerial preparation against Ukrainian positions between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast.
According to OSINT analyst Clément Molin, satellite imagery shows around 950 airstrikes across fields and forest strips near the Ukrainian defense line. These strikes began around 25 May, following recent Russian territorial gains in the area.
Thos airstrikes are very recent, they started around may 25, less than 20 days ago after russian troops made gains on the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka defensive line.
“I located nearly 1 000 airstrike[s] on a small area of the frontline between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. This is simply massive.”
He added that the attacks are focused on treeline areas in response to a shift in Ukrainian tactics that favors smaller, concealed positions. The bombardment is especially intense on the western edge of the Pokrovsk-Druzhkivka-Kostiantynivka triangle.
Situation in the areas of Pokrovsk, Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast as of 13 June 2025. Map: Deep State Map.
Molin stated that Ukrainian positions near Pokrovsk appear stronger, requiring more force to neutralize. He suggested a possible attempt by Russian forces to encircle Pokrovsk from the eastern flank:
“Russia could reactivate the western Pokrovsk front while launching assault on the eastern side.”
He noted that such activity could support an objective to capture Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka before 2026.
Russia could reactivate the western Pokrovsk front while launching assault on the eastern side.
-> This could help them reaching the objective of capture of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka before 2026. pic.twitter.com/TL4QOTlmca
This is not the first time such intense airstrike concentrations have been recorded. Molin referenced previous instances in Robotyne in 2023 and Kursk in 2024. He also observed similar patterns in Sumy Oblast, where forest zones north of the city are being targeted as Ukrainian forces resist Russian advances.
Frontline developments and Ukrainian response
Militarnyi, citing the Ukrainian Army General Staff, reports that the situation in the Pokrovsk axis remains “difficult.” On 11 June alone, Ukrainian defenders reportedly repelled 62 separate Russian assault actions. These clashes occurred near multiple settlements, including Malynivka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novosergiivka, Orikhove, Andriivka, and toward Poltavka, Oleksiivka, and Muravka.
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The European Commission has reportedly appointed former home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson as the EU’s special envoy for Ukrainians, a newly created position to implement its updated refugee strategy.
Roughly 4.7 million Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the EU following Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion that started in February 2022. The bloc responded swiftly with temporary protection measures, allowing access to housing, health care, education, and jobs.
Politico reported on 12 June that two officials familiar with the matter confirmed Johansson’s selection. Her appointment comes as the European Union unveiled a long-term approach to manage the needs of the displaced Ukrainians.
Johansson, who served as home affairs commissioner from 2019 to 2024, previously visited Ukraine several times. Her trips included a visit to a refugee camp near the Romania border. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Ukrainian order of merit in September last year.
Refugee protection extended as part of the EU’s updated response
Last week, the European Commission extended the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees, reinforcing its commitment to their welfare. The EU executive detailed plans to either transition these individuals into permanent legal arrangements or assist those who choose to return to Ukraine. Johansson is expected to be at the forefront of coordinating these measures across member states.
While some European officials have expressed concerns over growing “fatigue” in certain host countries toward hosting Ukrainian refugees, others remain in favor of retaining them to strengthen local workforces.
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Russia’s claims of success in Ukraine mask a far grimmer military reality: minimal territorial gains exchanged for unprecedented casualties and losses, Riley McCabe of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argues in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.
This comes as US President Donald Trump continues to stall new sanctions drafted by Congress. For months, Trump has urged Kyiv and Moscow to begin peace talks, purportedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. However, Russia has consistently reaffirmed its original invasion objectives—effectively demanding Ukraine’s capitulation—rendering Trump’s efforts ineffective.
The author notes that Moscow shows little interest in serious diplomacy and continues to demand maximalist terms while launching new attacks. The op-ed emphasizes that despite its narrative of strength, Russia’s hand is far weaker than assumed by many in the West.
Russia’s advances yield limited territorial gains
In contrast, McCabe writes that Russia has been using brute force to advance since early 2024, but with little to show for it. Data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies cited in the article shows that Moscow has seized less than 1% of Ukrainian territory since January 2024—an area smaller than Delaware. Russian forces have managed daily advances averaging only about 50 meters near Kupiansk and roughly 135 meters in parts of Donetsk Oblast, even in their most active sectors.
Russian gains since January 2024. Infographic: Center for Strategic and International Studies
Ukraine’s defenses, McCabe writes, give it the edge. Russian forces run into minefields, trench systems, and artillery zones, with drones causing most combat deaths. This setup has turned the conflict into a bloody deadlock.
Scale of Russian casualties is historical
According to McCabe, these minor gains have come at an extraordinary cost. Russian fatalities in Ukraine now exceed the total number of Soviet and Russian soldiers killed in every war since World War II combined. By summer 2025, Russia is projected to surpass 1 million total military casualties. The op-ed notes that Russian equipment losses since January 2024 include roughly 1,200 armored fighting vehicles, 3,200 infantry fighting vehicles, and 1,900 tanks.
McCabe includes comparisons showing that Russia’s death toll in Ukraine now exceeds losses in every Soviet and Russian war since World War II. The opinion piece includes visual breakdowns of fatalities from conflicts in Chechnya, Afghanistan, Syria, Georgia, and others—none of which approach current Ukrainian war figures.
Soviet and Russian losses after WWII. Source: Riley McCabe/WP
Putin bets on US withdrawal, not battlefield success
The opinion piece argues that Russia’s best hope lies in Western political fatigue. McCabe writes,
“Putin is betting that political fatigue in Washington will deliver him what his military cannot.”
The author warns that a loss of US support could deprive Ukraine of air defenses, munitions, and strike capabilities, and shatter morale.
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Search and rescue workers in Kharkiv have recovered the body of the sixth and final victim of a Russian attack carried out overnight on 7 June, concluding a multi-day search operation, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov’s 12 June report.
On 7 June, Russia concentrated its daily air attack on Kharkiv city, targeting it with 48 explosive drones, two missiles, and four guided bombs. The authorities described it as the “most powerful attack” on Kharkiv. The initial reported toll was three killed and 21 injured. Six additional individuals, later confirmed dead, were initially listed as missing.
Search ends with tragic discovery
Authorities located the body of a missing civilian employee trapped under rubble in the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv City, where a Russian strike targeted a civilian enterprise five days before. Mayor Terekhov confirmed the recovery and declared the search operation officially concluded.
The victim had been listed as missing since the Russian attack, which involved a mix of drones, KAB guided bombs, and at least one missile, launched against the city overnight into 7 June.
Sequence of discoveries
Two additional bodies were recovered from the rubble on the morning of 12 June. Prior to that, the body of the first confirmed victim was found on 10 June, with others discovered over the following days.
According to initial reports, six civilian employees were believed to be trapped under the collapsed structure after the airstrike. All six have now been confirmed dead.
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On 12 June, US President Donald Trump said he is disappointed with both Ukraine and Russia for failing to reach a peace agreement, instead of pressuring Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.
This comes amid Russia’s major escalation of ground assaults and air attacks in Ukraine. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has stalled new sanctions prepared by Congress. Trump has pushed for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks for months, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, yet Russia has repeatedly reiterated its initial goals of the invasion, amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation, which proved Trump’s efforts ineffective.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump was asked how close he is to stepping back from the Russia-Ukraine War, and whether he would leave it “in the hands of Europeans.“
“I’m very disappointed in Russia, but I’m disappointed in Ukraine also because I think deals could have been made.”
Despite Russia’s previous rejection of a 30-day ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and ongoing escalation, Trump continued to place responsibility on both the aggressor and the invaded nation for the absence of a peace agreement.
He described the war as a “blood bath” and claimed, “we’re losing 5-6 thousand people a week, soldiers mostly but also people living in towns because they’re getting hit by missiles again. How’d you like to live in a building and think a missile has a good chance of hitting your building during the evening? It’s horrible.”
Trump shifted to discussing other international conflicts, referencing alleged diplomatic achievements he claimed to have been involved in:
“We did great with India and Pakistan, we did very good with Israel.”
He mentioned the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and against claimed that “None of these things would have happened if I were president.”
Then Trump also criticized former President Joe Biden’s Iran policies, claiming that Iran “was broke” and “Biden immediately let them get rich—$300 billion they have right now,” which allegedly enabled Tehran to support Hamas and Hezbollah.
Then Trump said oil prices helped sustain Russia’s war:
“Oil went so high, got close to $100 a barrel… that kept the war going with Putin because at $100 a barrel, that was a big money-making experience.”
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Militarnyi reported that following Ukraine’s operation Spiderweb that targeted Russian strategic bombers at five bases, Russia was forced to redeploy key elements of its strategic aviation fleet to airbases in the Far East, complicating its ability to launch missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow has been extensively using its strategic bomber fleet—originally intended as part of its nuclear deterrent—for launching conventional cruise missiles against Ukraine. Earlier this month, a coordinated Ukrainian drone strike destroyed a double-digit number of Russian bombers, delivering a significant blow to Russia’s capacity for large-scale air-launched missile attacks.
According to OSINT sources, including the Tracking Telegram channel, two Tu-160 bombers previously based at Belaya airbase were relocated to the Anadyr airfield. An additional five Tu-160s were moved to Yelizovo airbase. These facilities are located 6,770 km and 7,250 km from Ukraine respectively.
Tu-95MS carrying eight Kh-101 cruise missiles—its maximum payload. Photo via Militarnyi.
Meanwhile, Tu-22M3 bombers based at Olenya are periodically transferred to Sovetsky airfield in the Komi Republic, approximately 2,400 km from Ukrainian borders. Tu-95MS aircraft now operate between Olenya, Engels-2, and Ukrainka airbases.
For launching Kh-101 cruise missiles, Tu-95MS bombers stationed at Ukrainka must fly at least 7,000 km to reach launch areas near Saratov Oblast, and then return another 5,400 km. This creates a 12,400 km mission round trip, lasting up to 23 hours in the air.
Operational impact and aviation strain
Russia’s dispersal of its strategic bombers aims to reduce vulnerability by spreading aircraft across remote airbases. However, this has introduced significant complications, including excessive flight time, accelerated wear of aging airframes, heightened crew fatigue, and increased maintenance costs, Militarnyi notes. The added distance also increases the likelihood of technical failure or human error, raising the risk of crashes.
The strain on Russian aviation logistics could in the long run reduce the frequency of air-launched cruise missile strikes on Ukraine.
SBU’s Operation Pavutyna
On 1 June 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched Operation Pavutyna (“Spiderweb”), a large-scale special operation targeting Russia’s strategic bombers. The targets included Belaya, Ivanovo, Ukrainka, Olenya, and Dyagilevo airbases.
Militarnyi says preliminary assessments indicate that at least 8 Tu-95MS (or Tu-95MSM), 12 Tu-22M3, 2 A-50 early warning aircraft, 1 An-12 transport plane, and possibly 1 Il-78M tanker were hit by Ukrainian drone strikes.
Though a full set of satellite images has not yet been published. Notably, the strike on one Tu-95MS seen in satellite imagery is not included in the videos.
“In addition, the video footage released by the SBU is incomplete: it does not show the damage to one of the Tu-95MS aircraft, which is visible in satellite images,” Militarnyi wrote.
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On 12 June, hacker groups InformNapalm and Militant Intelligence released several leaked documents obtained from JSC Russian Helicopters—a major Russian helicopter manufacturing company. According to the groups, they obtained all of the company’s international contracts, supply routes, and payment documents of the company revealing extensive foreign cooperation with Russia’s defense sector.
The leak comes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the company already under internationalsanctions. Russia has developed multiple schemes to evade these sanctions, and the leaked materials expose some of those used specifically by JSC Russian Helicopters.
InformNapalm stated that the cyber operation coincided with Russia’s national holiday.
“Today, 12 June, the terrorist state celebrates ‘Russia Day’,” the group wrote.
The leak was described as symbolic “greetings with a noose” for Russia, meant to expose the vulnerabilities of its military-industrial complex.
Two of the leaked JSC Russian helicopters’ documents. Photos: InformNapalm
InformNapalm denounced the White House’s currently consistent weak stance towards Moscow, pointing out that the US Cyber Command halted cyber operations against Russia during Donald Trump’s presidency. As a result, the group said, “volunteers and enthusiasts” now carry out cyber operations against Russian targets.
Wider cyber operation
The report says that the cyberattack was part of a broader campaign labeled OpsHackRussia’sDay, which, according to the hackers, targeted a network of Russian corporations tied to the defense industry. JSC Russian Helicopters, a holding that unites all Russian helicopter manufacturers, is among the breached entities. The company operates under Oboronprom, itself a subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate Rostec.
“As a result of the hack, [JSC Russian Helicopters’] all international contracts, supply routes, bank receipts, accounts from India and other countries were exposed, including embassy archives and Ministry of Defense documents,” InformNapalm wrote.
Documents reportedly mention India, Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia, Laos, Cuba, Kenya, and Uganda. The leaked content includes full detail on tenders, clients, correspondence, staffing schedules, travel routes, banking relations, and coordination with the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Military logistics and foreign involvement
Among the disclosed data, Egypt is named as a logistics hub for Mi-17V-5 maintenance, while Bulgaria appears in supply chain and repair cooperation schemes, according to the report. Other nations named include Azerbaijan and North Macedonia. The documents mention entities like RAWAN HANS in India and detail procurement pathways through Algeria and Indonesia, often using third-country routes.
Hackers promise more data, predict fallout
The publication claims the leak will lead to serious disruptions:
“This release will bring major problems to their defense sector and expose their international customers and partners who tried to stay hidden.”
The group anticipates “contract terminations, sanctions tightening, and global scandals.”
According to InformNapalm, part of the obtained information is already in use for Ukraine’s defense, and more data will be published over time.
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In an interview published on 12 June by German outlet Bild, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected reports of Russia’s large advances. He said the idea that Russia is winning the war is “a Russian narrative” and insisted Ukrainian forces have been repelling a renewed Russian push for nearly three weeks. The Russians are“not that successful, to say the least,” he added.
This comes as US President Donald Trump has stalled new sanctions prepared by Congress, while Russia has escalated its drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities. Trump has pushed for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks for months, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, yet Russia has repeatedly reiterated its initial goals of the invasion, amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation.
Zelenskyy dismissed the idea that recentdronestrikes—up to 500 in number—allegedly are revenge for a Ukrainian operation Spiderweb that targeted Russian strategic bombers. He said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is someone “looking for reasons to attack Ukraine. He simply does not want to end the war.”
Zelenskyy noted that the Russian population still supports Putin’s radical policies. “But he has to maintain the fire of information and hate,” Zelenskyy said. He argued that Putin frames his attacks as revenge to keep that support alive.
Russia’s two goals for fake diplomacy: avoid new sanctions and isolate Ukraine
According to Zelenskyy, the real reason for Moscow participation in Trump’s push for peace negotiations is to avoid new sanctions. He stated,
“It’s important for them to show Trump there’s a diplomatic bridge between Ukraine and Russia,” so that Russia can argue, “We are talking to each other! If sanctions are introduced, there will be no more talks.” He firmly added, Putin does not want peace.
The second goal, Zelenskyy warned, is to sideline Europe and the US in talks and isolate Ukraine.
“A long war without partner support [for Ukraine]—for Putin that would be the perfect scenario,” he said. “A long war with partners and sanctions—he can’t survive that.”
Zelenskyy said he believes the former US president understands Russia’s dishonesty.
“President Trump sees that the Russian side is not completely open and honest about the war,” Zelenskyy told Bild. “I think that Russia is simply lying to Trump.”
After months of military escalation, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of the new US sanctions package Trump has always threatened but has not yet implemented.
“Trump must introduce the sanctions so that Putin immediately says: ‘Let’s talk about ending the war,’” he said.
Zelenskyy acknowledged criticism of sanctions but argued delays gave Putin time to adjust. “This allowed him to adapt,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the economy and especially the defense industry had managed to recover.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth officially confirmed that anti-drone weapons intended for Ukraine were redirected to American forces stationed in the Middle East. The APKWS II anti-drone rocket systems “are at least part, if not the main focus of this diversion in matériel,” TWZ reported. Meanwhile, Senator McConnell says Washington’s reputation is “on the line.”
This comes as Russia has escalated its daily long-range explosive drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, increasing civilian casualties. For months now, US President Donald Trump has pushed for Kyiv-Moscow negotiations allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, but two rounds of low-level talks have produced no results, with Russia showing no intention of stopping the war and continuing to demand Ukraine’s capitulation.
Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on 11 June, Hegseth admitted for the first time that counter-UAS capabilities originally purchased for Ukraine under the Biden administration were instead prioritized for deployment in the CENTCOM area (North Africa – Middle East).
“Senator, as you know, the Middle East is and remains a very dynamic theater,” Hegseth claimed. “We’re going to surge counter UAS systems to our troops and our bases and our places first […] that has been and will continue to be a priority for us.”
Zelenskyy previously warned of looming weapon loss
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toldABC News last week that the US had agreed to send “20,000 missiles – anti-Shahed missiles,” which are now being diverted. “Without the help of the United States, we will have more losses.”
TWZ noted that “there are no traditional missiles available anywhere near that number,” meanwhile, the APKWS system is produced in large volumes and is specifically effective against Shahed-136 suicide drones.
“APKWS gives Ukraine another proven way to defend key target areas… without blowing through prized SAMs,” TWZ wrote,
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that the Pentagon “quietly notified Congress” that APKWS-specific proximity fuzes were reassigned to US Air Force units. These fuzes are essential to converting APKWS rockets into counter-drone weapons.
The public admission sparked renewed criticism from lawmakers. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell asked Hegseth which side he wanted to win the war, but Hegseth said the Trump administration sought an end to the killing without taking sides.
McConnell, a vocal Ukraine supporter, noted:
“It seems to me pretty obvious that America’s reputation is on the line,” McConnell said. “Will we defend Democratic allies against authoritarian aggressors?”
Later in the hearing, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would stop at Ukraine.
“I don’t believe he is,” Gen. Caine responded, with Hegseth adding it “remains to be seen.”
Graham, referencing his earlier comparison between Western inaction toward Putin and the appeasement of Adolf Hitler in the lead-up to World War II, quickly retorted:
“Well, he says he’s not. This is the ’30s all over. It doesn’t remain to be seen.”
APKWS
The APKWS II are laser-guided 70mm rockets previously used by Ukraine to intercept Russia’s Iranian-designed Shahed drones and low-flying missiles. pods with such missiles have been forward-deployed with US’ F-15Es in Jordan and have been used in past months by US jets to down Houthi drones in the Red Sea. The same guidance kits are also used in the VAMPIRE counter-drone system previously supplied to Ukraine.
According to TWZ, videos from Ukraine in 2023 showed APKWS being used on Humvees, but the VAMPIRE system with counter-drone fuzes became more widespread by December 2023. These systems helped Ukraine defend key targets from Iranian-made kamikaze drones without depleting expensive SAM inventories.
Unclear future for US aid for Ukraine
Hegseth declined to specify how many APKWS rockets remain in stock or were sent to Ukraine.
“We would have to review the capacity,” he said, adding that US support to Ukraine had allegedly created “some challenges in other places.”
Earlier on 10 June, Hegseth said a cut in US military aid to Ukraine is almost certain, citing the Trump administration’s “very different view” of Russia’s war compared to former President Joe Biden’s and calling an unrealistic “negotiated peaceful settlement” the best outcome for both sides and US interests.
Since Trump assumed office in January, the US has neither approved any new aid for Ukraine, nor replied to Kyiv’s requests to buy aid defenses.
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Ukrainian Air Force jets destroyed a building occupied by Russian soldiers in Russia’s Kursk Oblast with four precision bombs, according to footage analyzed by open-source intelligence and reports from WarArchive.
Ukraine has been conducting an air campaign against Russian strategic targets such as ammunition depots, command centers, military factories, oil processing and storage facilities in Russia and the Russian-occupied territory. Russia’s Kursk Oblast is adjacent to northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, where Moscow has recently started an offensive, trying to advance to the regional capital, Sumy city.
The Telegram channel WarArchive reported that Ukrainian aviation used four high-precision bombs to strike a structure in the village of Kulbaky, Kursk Oblast. The facility was reportedly being used to house Russian soldiers as well as electronic warfare (EW), radio-electronic reconnaissance (RER), and other military equipment, Militarnyi wrote.
A video shows all four bombs striking the upper part of the building in quick succession, causing a massive explosion and total destruction of the structure. Following the direct hits, a secondary explosion occurred due to the blast wave reaching a nearby ammunition depot. The resulting detonation amplified the scale of destruction.
Open-source investigator PJ “giK” verified the location via social media analysis.
Possible use of GBU-39 precision munitions
Militarnyi suggests that the bombs used in the strike were likely American-made GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs). These bombs weigh 130 kilograms and feature deployable wings, allowing them to hit targets up to 110 kilometers away when dropped from high altitudes. With tungsten penetrators, they are capable of punching through concrete structures during steep dives.
Additional precision strikes with Hammer bombs
The Ukrainian Air Force also recently employed French AASM Hammer bombs in separate operations. Recently, the Ukrainian Air force’s MiG-29 fighter jet used these bombs in a precise strike on enemy infantry and an ammunition storage site on the southern front, causing further losses to Russian forces.
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Overnight on 12 June, Russia again targeted Ukraine with long-range explosive drones. Although the number of drones dropped significantly—from over 400 in recent days to 63 last night—the attack still caused damage to civilian infrastructure and injured civilians.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched the 63 drones—including Shahed-type explosive drones and decoy UAVs—against Ukraine from directions including Russia’s Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and the Russian-occupied Chauda in Ukraine’s Crimea. The report says 49 drones were neutralized, with 28 shot down and 21 suppressed or lost via electronic warfare systems. Despite these defenses, drones hit at least seven locations, with debris falling in four others, according to the Air Force.
The Air Force’s data suggest that 14 Russian drones may have reached their intended targets.
Kharkiv city’s residential areas targeted
In Kharkiv, Russian drones hit multiple areas, including a high-rise residential building and a nearby fitness club in the Saltiivskyi district, as reported by Suspilne and confirmed by Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
The 24-story building suffered damage, with three vehicles catching fire due to drone debris crash.
Local resident Volodymyr told Suspilne,
“The house shook, plaster fell from the ceiling, and my windows and balconies were blown out.”
Drone strikes also targeted Shevchenkivskyi and Slobidskyi districts of Kharkiv city.
According to Kharkiv Oblast Head Oleh Syniehubov, 16 people were injured in the region over the past 24 hours, including four children aged 2, 12, 16, and 17.
Weapons used included two unguided air rockets, six KAB guided bombs, and over 31 Shaheds, and five drones of other types, according to Syniehubov.
The oblast head also reported that rescuers have recovered the bodies of the fourth and fifth victims from under the rubble of a civilian enterprise in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi District following Russia’s 7 June attack, with search and rescue operations still ongoing.
In Odesa Oblast, drones hit the Izmail district and damaged several multi-story residential buildings and a reed-processing enterprise in the Vylkove community. No casualties were reported, but civilian infrastructure was affected, according to Oblast Head Oleh Kiper.
Aftermath of Russia’s drone attack in Odesa Oblast’s Izmail district. Photo: Telegram/Oleh Kiper.
Meanwhile, Donetsk Oblast Administration reported two civilians killed in Raiiske and Toretske and six others wounded over the past 24 hours. The report did not specify whether Russian drone strikes or artillery shelling caused the casualties.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is deceiving Donald Trump and warned that the US president’s response to those lies could determine the future of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
This comes as US President Donald Trump has been stalling new sanctions against Russia, while pushing for Kyiv-Moscow talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. While two rounds of such talks failed to bring a ceasefire, with Russia effectively demanding Ukraine’s capitulation, Moscow has escalated its air attacks against Ukrainian cities using hundreds of Iranian-designed Shahed drones every night.
In an interview published by Politico on 12 June, Zelenskyy stated:
“Russia is simply lying to Trump,” he said, adding that “most heads of state and government share my opinion,” expressing hope that the US understands the extent of Russian disinformation.
Zelenskyy said the leverage to end the war rests with Trump, noting that “Putin understands nothing but strength, and America has that strength.” He also emphasized that the effectiveness of sanctions and the speed of decision-making “depends on” Trump.
Ongoing war, weak peace efforts, lack of sanctions
Recent low-level Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul have made little progress, while Russia continues its escalated attacks on Ukraine. Zelenskyy said Trump expressed doubts about Moscow’s sincerity after a recent phone call with Putin. Trump bizarrely compared Russia and Ukraine to two squabbling children and said the deadline for more sanctions exists “in his brain.”
When asked if Trump’s opinions shift depending on whom he speaks with, Zelenskyy answered, “I don’t know,” but reiterated: “Russia is not sincere.”
Zelenskyy said Russia’s ongoing offensive is “not very successful,” adding that the Kremlin has failed to achieve its goals. He claimed Moscow is trying to buy time while its economy suffers. He believes stronger sanctions could further deplete Russia’s military capabilities and reduce attacks on Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s survival hinges on continued support from Western nations. He warned that an American withdrawal would be “a perfect scenario” for Putin and could hand victory to Russia.
Zelenskyy acknowledged personal doubt, referencing Winston Churchill’s struggles during World War II.
“I have no fewer doubts than anyone else in Ukraine. But the difference is that I am the president,” he said. “So until the end of the war, I will never show any moments of weakness. And I will never share my dark days with anyone.”
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On 12 June 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a formal message congratulating the Russian people on Russia Day, which coincided with Kyiv’s announcement that Russian troop losses in Ukraine have surpassed one million.
Rubio’s greetings come as Russia continues its escalated daily airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, causing numerous civilian casualties. Meanwhile, public opinion polls consistently show that around 75% of Russians support Moscow’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, prominent figures within the so-called Russian opposition in exile frequently echo imperialistic, anti-Ukrainian narratives, while openly opposing the future decolonization of Russia — a de facto empire currently waging a war of territorial conquest against Ukraine.
Rubio’s greetings
The message, published on the official website of the US Department of State, reads:
“On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day.”
Rubio further stated that “the United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future.”
He also emphasized a desire for “constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries.”
The Russia Day holiday, marked annually on 12 June, commemorates Russia’s 1990 declaration of sovereignty.
Trump’s diplomatic shift and warming ties with Moscow
Reuters also reported that Moscow’s new ambassador to the US, Aleksandr Darchiev, formally presented his credentials to President Donald Trump on the same day. Darchiev pledged to work toward the full restoration of US-Russian diplomatic ties.
The development signals improving relations between the two countries under the Trump administration, despite Russia has only been escalating its war of aggression in Ukraine.
While US President Donald Trump has been pushing for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks for months, his efforts have predictably gone nowhere, as Russia’s unchanged maximalist demands — amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation — leave no real path to peace.
The latest data from the Levada Center from May show that around 75% of Russians continue to support their government’s war against Ukraine. The support has not changed since last November.
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made his first official visit to Ukraine on 11 June 2025 since taking office, attending the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa but refusing to sign the summit’s final declaration, which condemned Russian aggression and called for expanded sanctions.
Senior politicians from Southeastern European countries attended the summit hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the southern city of Odesa, against the backdrop of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Serbia condemned Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine but refuses to join international sanctions against Russia and is among the countries, aiding Russia to evade EU and G7 sanctions.
Vučić meets Zelenskyy, reaffirms support for Ukraine’s sovereignty
According to the official website of the Ukrainian president, Vučić held a one-on-one meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and Serbia’s participation in Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy thanked Vučić for Serbia’s financial and humanitarian assistance and its initiative to help rebuild several Ukrainian settlements.
Vučić reportedly expressed gratitude for the summit and emphasized Serbia’s “firm support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. RFE/RL says he also welcomed Ukraine’s continued refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence, a long-standing concern for Belgrade.
Odesa declaration calls for stronger sanctions against Russia, NATO support of Ukraine
The Southeast Europe summit in Odesa followed previous meetings held in Athens, Tirana, and Dubrovnik. The event was attended by the leaders or other top officials of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.
The joint declaration issued by 11 countries at the summit explicitly condemned Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion” of Ukraine, urged the international community to impose further sanctions on Russia, and called for the creation of a special tribunal to investigate war crimes committed in Ukraine.
The declaration also voiced support for Ukraine’s NATO membership and emphasized the strategic importance of regional cooperation in energy, food security, demining, and cyber defense.
“A free, peaceful, and prosperous Europe is impossible without a free, peaceful, and prosperous Ukraine. The participants of the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Odesa Summit remain resolutely committed to this vision,” the declaration reads.
Vučić abstains from signing, citing national interests and Russia ties
Vučić declined to sign the declaration, saying the document was “against Russia” and emphasizing Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow. Speaking to Serbian journalists, he stated: “I did not betray Russia” and claimed there had been no excessive pressure on him to sign.
He added:
“Unlike them, who are ready to accept everything directed against Russia, everything they can,” the Serbian leadersaid, adding that he is “proud of Serbia’s policy” and its “autonomy and independence.“
Vučić noted that abstaining from the declaration was allegedly a way to protect Serbia’s interests, which he stated align with international law.
As reported by AP and Reuters, Vučić’s stance at the summit underscores his broader diplomatic strategy of balancing Serbia’s EU aspirations with long-standing ties to Russia. Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and remains heavily reliant on Russian energy. Gazprom and Gazprom Neft hold stakes in Serbia’s key oil infrastructure.
In his public remarks, Vučić repeated calls for “peace” and said Serbia would contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction, claiming that Belgrade “would like to rebuild one or two cities or a small region” in Ukraine.
The summit in Odesa occurred just weeks after Russia accused Serbia of covert arms exports to Ukraine—a claim Belgrade denies but has pledged to investigate.
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On 12 June 2025, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that Russian military personnel losses since 24 February 2022 have reached 1,000,340, coinciding with Russia’s national holiday, so-called Russia Day.
This comes as the US presses for Kyiv-Moscow negotiations, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, as Russia continues large-scale offensive operations along the entire frontline despite staggering ongoing losses, relying primarily on frontal “meat-wave” assaults to seize more Ukrainian territory. These tactics are yielding incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, prompting Russia to deploy more and more troops.
A symbolic milestone on Russia Day
The General Staff reported that Ukraine’s Defense Forces eliminated 1,140 Russian soldiers in the past 24 hours, pushing the total number of Russian military losses since the start of the full-scale invasion past one million.
Previously, the Ukrainian officials clarified that the General Staff’s figures refer specifically to Russian soldiers killed, whereas foreign sources often interpret these numbers as the combined total of those killed and wounded in action.
The announcement was made public through the General Staff’s official Facebook page. Notably, the seven-digit figure was reached on 12 June, a day celebrated by the Russian state as its national holiday.
Russian equipment and weapon losses reported as of 12 June 2025:
Personnel: 1,000,340 in total (+1,140 yesterday)
Tanks: 10,933 (+6)
Armored vehicles: 22,786 (+3)
Artillery systems: 29,063 (+47)
MLRS: 1,413
Air defense systems: 1,184 (+1)
Aircraft: 416
Helicopters: 337
Drones: 40,435 (+138)
Cruise missiles: 3,337
Naval vessels: 28
Submarines: 1
Military trucks/fuel tankers: 51,715 (+136)
Special equipment: 3,914
Growing pace of Russian losses
The military provided a breakdown of cumulative losses by year:
In 2022: 106,720 killed (average 340 per day)
In 2023: 253,290 killed (average 693 per day)
In 2024: 430,790 killed (average 1,177 per day)
In 2025, by 4 June: over 200,000 killed (average 1,286 per day)
More than 628,000 of these deaths occurred in just the last 18 months, according to the GenStaff.
Notable peak days in Russian casualties
The General Staff identified several of the deadliest days of the war:
28 November 2024: 2,030 killed
19 December 2024: 2,200 killed
29 December 2024: 2,010 killed
These dates reflect concentrated combat or high-impact Ukrainian counterstrikes during key offensives.
Yesterday in figures
On 11 June 2025, there were 220 combat clashes, according to the report. That same day, Russian forces launched two missile attacks and 86 airstrikes, dropped 136 guided bombs, used 3,744 kamikaze drones, and shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 6,064 times.
In response, Ukraine’s Defense Forces conducted strikes on:
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Telegram, a global messaging app known for its emphasis on privacy founded by Pavel Durov, is facing new scrutiny after an investigation by Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its Russian partner Important Stories. It revealed that the infrastructure routing its traffic is controlled by a Russian network engineer whose companies have previously worked with Russian intelligence and defense agencies.
Critical access controlled by Russian engineer
The investigation identifies Vladimir Vedeneev, a 45-year-old Russian engineer, as the owner of Global Network Management (GNM), which maintains Telegram’s servers and controls thousands of its IP addresses. Legal documents from a Florida court show Vedeneev had exclusive access to Telegram servers, signed contracts on its behalf, and even acted as its informal CFO under a power of attorney from Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
Vedeneev’s other companies — including GlobalNet and Electrontelecom — have provided services to Russia’s FSB, the GlavNIVTS computing center, and the state-run Kurchatov nuclear institute. Electrontelecom continues to assign over 5,000 Telegram IPs and manages surveillance systems used by the FSB in the St. Petersburg area.
Metadata vulnerability through Telegram’s protocol
Despite Telegram’s claims of security, the MTProto protocol used in its encrypted messaging system includes an unencrypted “auth_key_id” element. Security expert Michał Woźniak explains that this allows anyone monitoring network traffic to identify a user’s device, IP address, and location even if the message content is encrypted.
Other experts, including John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab, echoed these concerns, noting that metadata exposure could place users — especially those seen as threats by the Russian state — at serious risk.
Man-in-the-middle risk and physical infrastructure
A Ukrainian IT specialist said Russian forces used captured telecom infrastructure to conduct man-in-the-middle surveillance.
“In such an attack, the hackers aren’t even interested so much in the user’s correspondence,” he explained, “They get metadata to analyze… really, all possible information.”
Documents show that Vedeneev’s company owns a router inside the Telegram server room in Miami, and leases over 10,000 IPs to Telegram. Woźniak notes this allows potential access to user metadata, posing a major privacy concern.
Telegram’s founder under legal pressure
Telegram founder Pavel Durov, known for creating the VKontakte platform – the Russian clone of the early Facebook – and later launching Telegram in exile, is under judicial supervision in France over charges related to illegal content. Though he has denied any infrastructure in Russia or post-2014 visits, a leak showed over 50 trips to Russia between 2015 and 2021.
Durov did not respond to OCCRP’s requests for comment. Vedeneev declined to publish his statements publicly.
Opaque partnerships and Russian state links
Vedeneev’s long-standing links to Russian state projects extend back to his partnership with Roman Venediktov, a former space forces officer and minority co-owner of GlobalNet. Their joint company, Peering, managed traffic for VKontakte through DATAIX and was acquired by GlobalNet in 2018.
The investigation also reveals that GlobalNet implemented Russia’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) system after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, aligning itself with Roskomnadzor regulations.
“If someone has access to Telegram traffic and cooperates with Russian intelligence services,” said Woźniak, “this means that the device identifier becomes a really big problem — a tool for global surveillance of messenger users.”
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Norway has transferred or planned to transfer 14 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine — over double the six publicly declared — according to its annual arms export report.
Russia continues its deliberate daily air attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure, particularly targeting energy infrastructure and apartment buildings, aiming to disrupt civilian life. Such attacks involve missiles, and dozens to hundreds of explosive drones. Fighter jets, such as F-16, are instrumental as the last line of air defense against the missiles and drones.
According to Militarnyi, the official report on Norway’s conventional arms exports suggests that the country has planned to send 14 F-16s to Ukraine, despite only announcing six publicly. The status of the eight unannounced aircraft is not specified.
Condition of additional Norwegian F-16s unclear
It is likely, based on the report’s context, that these jets are not flight-capable and are intended for technical staff training, spare parts, or use as decoys, Militarnyi notes, adding that the possibility that some of the additional jets could be restored and made operational is not ruled out.
Norway previously stated that it would only provide operational aircraft that were withdrawn from service in 2021.
In mid-May, the Norwegian government reported that all promised F-16s would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the current year. However, delivery dates for the eight unannounced jets remain unclear.
As of May, the last Dutch F-16 fighters designated for Ukraine reportedly left the Netherlands. Despite completing the physical transfer of its pledged 24 jets, the Dutch Defense Ministry emphasized that its support continues, including training personnel and providing spare parts, ammunition, and fuel.
Denmark’s delivery is ongoing in three phases, as previously agreed. By February, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed that Ukraine had already received 12 out of 19 promised fighters.
Additionally, Belgium is expected to send two F-16s to Ukraine in 2025, with one aircraft designated for dismantling and use as a source of spare parts.
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A Russian Molniya-2 kamikaze drone was brought down by a Ukrainian FPV drone reportedly using electronic warfare capabilities, footage shared on 9 June showed, according to Militarnyi.
Drone warfare innovations have become a defining feature of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles of various sizes, operating in the air, on land, and at sea, play a central role, with technology advancing rapidly. Meanwhile, anti-drone electronic warfare is rapidly evolving as well, as both sides advance their technologies.
The video shows the Russian Molniya-2 drone losing control as a Ukrainian interceptor approached. Militarnyi reports that this suggests the use of an onboard electronic warfare (EW) system, which jammed the UAV’s control signals and forced it to crash. The operators of Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces reportedly executed this interception using a non-contact approach.
Rising use of EW against cheap Russian drones
This is not the first known incident of a Ukrainian drone using EW methods to down a Russian UAV. Similar interceptions of Molniya drones were previously noted starting in mid-March, with a growing frequency through April and May.
One likely vulnerability in the Molniya-2 drones is the use of ERLS control systems with active telemetry, allowing the detection of the UAV’s control frequencies. Ukrainian forces have reportedly exploited this flaw by emitting targeted jamming in narrow frequency bands. This method does not require high-power systems and can be deployed directly from the intercepting drone.
Cheap design and battlefield adaptability of Molniya-2
The Molniya-2 is a fixed-wing kamikaze drone developed as a low-cost, mass-produced weapon. Its construction involves foam, plastic, aluminum tubing, and wooden components. Electronics and engines are mostly standardized with FPV drones.
The Molniya-2 can fly up to 60 kilometers and reach speeds of 120 km/h. Its payload varies depending on the launch method. The drone can carry explosive charges or a TM-62 mine weighing up to 10 kilograms, according to Russian state media.
Militarnyi had earlier reported that Russian forces began adapting Molniya drones to serve as carriers for FPV drones.
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The Ukrainian National Police’s assault unit, the Lyut’ (“Fury”) Brigade, has received Spanish Pegaso BMR M-600 armored personnel carriers, Militarnyi reported. The deployment was confirmed by a military-focused Telegram channel, Tysk, which shared a photo showing the vehicle equipped with a specially crafted anti-drone grill structure featuring doors for both crew and troops.
Since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Spain has provided Kyiv with critical defense systems, armored vehicles, generators, and signed a ten-year bilateral security cooperation agreement to strengthen Ukraine’s long-term resilience.
Militarnyi noted that the angle of the released photo makes it difficult to identify the exact configuration of the vehicle. However, it suggests that the vehicle could be a BMR-600 VRAC variant used for chemical reconnaissance, previously seen in Ukraine. In January 2024, Militarnyi had also reported Spain’s delivery of two medical BMR M-600 units to Ukraine, refurbished by the company TECNOVE:
No official announcements have been made about the delivery of standard troop transport versions of the BMR-600, but the presence of such a vehicle suggests it may be part of military aid from Spain, Militarnyi suggests.
BMR-600
The BMR-600 is a Spanish 6×6 wheeled armored personnel carrier developed in the early 1970s and mass-produced from 1979. This amphibious APC serves as a mainstay of Spanish ground forces and has been exported internationally.
This amphibious vehicle accommodates 11 troops plus driver and gunner in an aluminum-armored hull. Key features include front-left driver position, right-side engine bay, rear troop compartment with ramp access and dual roof hatches. The 310-hp Pegaso diesel delivers 100 km/h maximum speed via automatic transmission and dual-steered front axles. Amphibious capability relies on wheel propulsion or optional water jets (9 km/h).
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US is diverting 20,000 missiles previously promised to Ukraine toward the Middle East, a move he warns will increase casualties as Russia intensifies its aerial attacks.
This comes as US President Donald Trump has been stalling new sanctions against Russia, while pushing for Kyiv-Moscow talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. While two rounds of such talks failed to bring a ceasefire, with Russia effectively demanding Ukraine’s capitulation, Moscow has escalated its air attacks against Ukrainian cities using hundreds of Iranian-designed Shahed drones every night.
Speaking to ABC News, Zelenskyy stated that his defense minister informed him on 6 June that the US was reassigning anti-drone weapons meant for Ukraine. According to him, these assets—originally part of an agreement with the Biden administration—would now support US force protection efforts in the Middle East.
“We counted on [them] to defend against Russian attacks,” Zelenskyy told ABC. “Without the help of the United States, we will have more losses.”
The Ukrainian president said the diverted items were “not expensive, but [a] special technology” designed specifically to combat Shahed drones, which Russia now produces domestically in thousands after importing them from Iran.
This development comes amid a significant escalation in Russian air attacks. Overnight on 9 June, Russia launched a record number of aerial weapons – a total of 479 drones and 20 missiles across Ukraine. The next day, Russia launched 315 more drones and seven missiles, targeting Kyiv and Odesa.
Pentagon avoids confirming missile redirection
ABC News says the Pentagon declined to confirm whether the anti-drone systems intended for Ukraine were now being sent to the Middle East. However, a report by the Wall Street Journal last week revealed that the Pentagon had authorized the transfer of such technology.
“The Pentagon quietly notified Congress last week that special fuzes for rockets that Ukraine uses to shoot down Russian drones are now being allocated to US Air Force units in the Middle East,” WSJ wrote on 4 June.
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Israel’s Foreign Ministry has officially denied claims that the country transferred Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, contradicting statements made by Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhael Brodsky.
Although not an open Russian ally, Israel has maintained a “neutral” stance on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, refraining from imposing sanctions on Russia while providing Ukraine only with non-lethal aid. The country has consistently refused requests from Ukraine for air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome, and other lethal equipment.
The denial came after Brodsky told a blogger in an interview that Israel had ostensibly transferred weapons to Ukraine, specifically mentioning Patriot air defense systems that were previously in Israeli service. The ambassador did not specify when Ukraine allegedly received these systems.
“These are Israeli systems that were in IDF service in the early 1990s. We agreed to transfer them to Ukraine,” Brodsky stated. “Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much talk about it. But when people say Israel didn’t provide military aid — that’s simply not true.”
Official rebuttal from Israel’s Foreign Ministry
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a clarification following an inquiry from Ynet, stating that Ambassador Brodsky’s claims about Jerusalem transferring Patriot systems to Ukraine were incorrect.
“This is not true. Israel did not transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine,” the Ministry said, according to Ynet’s report on 10 June.
According to Ynet, Russia reportedly contacted Israel requesting clarification on Brodsky’s statement.
Reports in January suggested that Israel planned to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, not the Patriot systems.
This is not the first time Israel has been linked to alleged weapons transfers to Ukraine, which were later officially denied.
Previously, Israel was allegedly contemplating sending large quantities of Russian-made weapons seized from Hezbollah and Syria to Ukraine in 2024. The reported cargo allegedly included anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, surface-to-air missiles, and ammunition that would be shipped via US C-17 aircraft to Rzeszów, Poland.
However, in February 2025, Israel’s Foreign Ministry called these earlier reports as “baseless” and confirmed no transfer of such arms occurred. Ambassador Brodsky himself stated at that time that “no such decision has been made by the Ministry of Defense,” calling the earlier reports a result of miscommunication.
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Ukraine and Moldova are set to join the EU’s “Roaming Like at Home” system starting 1 January 2026, marking a symbolic move toward full EU integration. The European Union had officially granted both countries the EU candidate status in June 2022, months after Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Following Russia’s start of the all-out war in 2022, EU operators coordinated with Ukrainian partners to provide roaming benefits to Ukrainian refugees. These were offered either for free or at significantly reduced rates. The EU has since extended the arrangement multiple times, most recently in July last year through a qualified majority vote.
RFE/RL reports that Ukraine and Moldova will become part of the EU’s internal mobile market under the “Roaming Like at Home” (RLAH) system. This marks the first time Brussels has invited candidate countries to join this aspect of the EU internal market, according to RFE/RL.
The system enables their citizens to use mobile services across EU countries—and in several non-EU states including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—at domestic rates. The scheme, launched by the EU in 2017, is already in effect in the European Economic Area and some non-EU states where operators voluntarily comply with EU law, such as the UK.
EU diplomats described this measure as among the easiest to agree upon compared to other Ukraine-related actions, like lifting trade barriers.
Transition period and final decision
Ukraine is expected to become a permanent member of the RLAH system following a vote by EU member states scheduled for July. The transitional period will end on 1 January 2026. In July, the final extension of the temporary roaming regime will also be agreed.
In Ukraine, coverage may be limited in Russian-occupied parts of Donbas and in Crimea, which is now fully served by Russian telecom networks.
Legislative progress and compliance
Ukraine and Moldova’s integration is made possible by provisions in their association agreements with the EU. These agreements include a “mutual internal market regime” for services like mobile roaming, allowing full participation once EU laws are implemented and verified.
Both Ukraine and Moldova have worked to align national laws with EU telecommunications standards. Ukraine finalized its legislative steps in April 2025, with the European Commission receiving final confirmation on 6 June. Moldova remains a few weeks behind, but the Commission expects to receive full confirmation by the end of June.
The laws cover both technical and practical aspects such as pricing models, network specifications, and transmitter infrastructure.
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Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated during a 9 June briefing in Kyiv that existing EU sanctions cover just 40% of Russia’s capabilities, calling for significantly stronger measures and expanded coordination with the United States.
This comes as US President Trump is pushing for Kyiv-Moscow peace negotiations while stalling new sanctions against Russia, despite the such talks repeatedly failing to produce tangible results in ending the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Moscow, meanwhile, continues escalating its ground and air attacks in Ukraine while demanding capitulation. Western countries imposed extensive sanctions following Russia’s 2014 Crimea annexation and 2022 full-scale invasion, aiming to cripple Russia’s economy, restrict access to finance and technology, and pressure Moscow to change its political behavior.
Current sanctions insufficient
Speaking alongside Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Budrys criticized the current state of European sanctions targeting Russia, asserting that Europe cannot claim it has exhausted all possible measures.
“Only 40% of Russia’s capacity is under sanctions. We cannot afford to say that we have done everything possible in terms of sanctions. No, we have not,” Budrys said.
18th EU sanctions package in progress
According to Budrys, the European Union has already begun work on its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. This new round aims to cover sectors of the Russian economy that remain untouched by previous restrictions.
Budrys emphasized that the upcoming sanctions are expected to include personal restrictions on top managers within Russian corporations, as well as new limitations on Russian exports.
The Lithuanian foreign minister underscored the need for the EU to synchronize its efforts with the United States, reinforcing the necessity of united transatlantic pressure on Russia.
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Russian forces have advanced to the administrative boundary between Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts as Kremlin officials “continued to demonstrate that Russia has wider territorial ambitions in Ukraine beyond Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts and Crimea,” the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 9 June.
Russia’s strategic objective is to capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast and advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as part of broader territorial ambitions beyond the four oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – it has already claimed to have illegally annexed, yet does not fully control any of those.
ISW reported that geolocated footage published that day indicates Russian forces recently advanced to the Dnipropetrovsk-Donetsk administrative border northwest of Horikhove, located southeast of Novopavlivka. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on 9 June that Russia’s Central Grouping of Forces seized additional territory in unspecified areas of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Russian military bloggers claimed on 8 June and 9 June that Russian forces, including elements of the 90th Tank Division from the 41st Combined Arms Army within the Central Military District, are conducting combat operations near and across the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border.
Kremlin declares buffer zone operations
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed on 9 June that Russia has begun an offensive into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast “within the framework of the creation of a buffer zone” in Ukraine. First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee Alexei Zhuravlev claimed that Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is now within the “sphere of interests” of the Russian military.
Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas claimed that Russia’s offensive into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast indicates the beginning of Russia’s “denazification” of the oblast, referencing Russia’s longtime demand for regime change in Ukraine. Chairperson of the Duma Defense Committee Dmitry Sablin claimed that Russia will “definitely take” Dnipro City and other unspecified Ukrainian cities if Ukraine “does not make peace on Russia’s terms.”
Possible preparation for announcing another annexation
Ukrainian Presidential Office Deputy Head Colonel Pavlo Palisa stated on 5 June that Russia likely seeks to occupy the entirety of Ukraine on the east bank of the Dnipro River, including parts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and to seize Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts by the end of 2026.
“Russian officials are likely setting information conditions to illegally declare Dnipropetrovsk Oblast annexed, as ISW has previously assessed,” the think tank wrote.
Kremlin officials have repeatedly signaled that Russia maintains territorial ambitions beyond the four oblasts that Russia has already illegally annexed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov notably repeated a longstanding Kremlin claim that Odesa City is a “Russian” city as recently as 9 June.
“ISW continues to assess that Russia is not interested in peace negotiations with Ukraine and that Russia is preparing for a protracted war in order to make further battlefield gains,” the think tank reported.
ISW continues to assess that current Russian tactical activity in the vicinity of southeastern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast represents a continuation of ongoing Russian offensive efforts in southwestern Donetsk Oblast rather than the beginning of a new major offensive operation to seize operationally significant territory in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
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Overnight on 10 June, Russia launched one of the war’s largest air attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, also targeting Odesa, killing at least three people and injuring over a dozen, according to local authorities.
This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s push for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, purportedly aimed at ending the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Meanwhile, Russia continues to ignore ceasefire calls and escalate its daily attacks on civilians. Today’s attack followed Russia’s largest drone assault of the war the previous day. Russian officials claimed these bombardments were retaliation for Ukraine’s earlier drone strikes inside Russian territory. However, similar attacks by Russia on Ukrainian civilians have occurred repeatedly without any claimed provocation, and Moscow has routinely described its targets as military despite clear evidence to the contrary.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Russia launched 322 aerial weapons, including 315 Shahed drones and decoy UAVs, two North Korean-supplied KN-23 ballistic missiles from Voronezh Oblast, and five Iskander-K cruise missiles from Kursk Oblast.
Of these, Ukraine’s air defenses reportedly destroyed 284 targets: 213 Shahed drones, two ballistic missiles, and five cruise missiles, while 64 drones were jammed or lost from radar tracking.
The Air Force’s data suggest that at least 38 Russian drones may have hit their intended targets.
11 locations were hit, while drone debris crashed in 16 locations, according to the report.
Russian air attacks in 2025 (the latest marked attack is the 9 June one). Source: ISW
Kyiv: Unprecedented strike on the capital
Kyiv was the primary target of Moscow’s air assault last night. Russia targeted Kyiv with an intense wave of aerial attacks overnight on 10 June, causing major fires and destruction across eight city districts.
The attack killed a woman in the Obolonskyi District and injured four men of various ages. Two remain hospitalized while two were treated on site, according to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv CityMilitary Administration (KMVA).
Aftermath of Russia’s air attack on Kyiv on 10 June 2025. Photo: Suspilne
Aftermath of Russia’s air attack on Kyiv on 10 June 2025. Photo: Suspilne
Ukrainian firefighting helicopter in Kyiv after Russia’s drone attack on the Ukrainian capital on 10 June 2025. Photo: Suspilne
Smoke in Kyiv during Russia’s air attack on the city overnight on 10 June 2025. Photo: Telegram/Honcharenko
Several residential buildings, businesses, a stadium, and infrastructure were damaged in the Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Holosiivskyi, Desnianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, Solomianskyi, and Dniprovskyi districts. In Obolonskyi, a helicopter was deployed to extinguish a major fire.
Debris damaged homes, cars, a sanatorium, and even a former consulate building of a European country, which caught fire. Though long out of use, the building was occupied by a guard and several animals—all survived.
In Kyiv, the Emergency Service deployed the Ka-32 firefighting helicopter to combat the fires.
In Shevchenkivskyi, the 11th-century St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained damage to its main apse cornice due to the blast wave. Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi confirmed the damage.
Police reported that a drone detonated near a patrol vehicle responding to the attack, injuring one officer with shrapnel. The incident is being investigated as part of a broader criminal case into the attack.
The southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on the Black Sea coast also came under heavy drone attack. Odesa Oblast Military Administration (OVA) head Oleh Kiper reportedtwo civilian deaths and nine injuries. One of those killed by Russia was a 59-year-old man. Among the injured were five women and three men, while another woman suffered an acute stress reaction. Four of the wounded were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Odesa regional authorities say the Russian drone strikes killed a man, 59, and injured at least four other people.
A maternity ward, private medical clinic, sports facility, zoo, and a central railway station building were damaged. Though no casualties were reported in the maternity hospital strike, all staff and patients were evacuated in time. In total, over 10 drones were used in the attack on Odesa.
The aftermath of Russia’s nighttime air attack on Odesa on 10 June 2025. Photo: Suspilne
An administrative building of the emergency medical services station was completely destroyed, with ambulances also damaged. Fires broke out across multiple locations in the city center. City authorities confirmed that residential buildings were hit, with initial reports of at least one woman killed and three hospitalized.
Cherkasy Oblast
Elsewhere, Cherkasy Oblast’s chief Ihor Taburets confirmed that local air defense shot down 15 Russian drones overnight. No injuries or infrastructure damage were reported.
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Russia is providing North Korea with technology to produce Shahed kamikaze drones and has dramatically improved the accuracy of Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles, potentially shifting the military balance on the Korean peninsula, Ukraine’s spymaster reported.
The military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has intensified since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has become a key supporter of Russia’s war effort, providing millions of artillery rounds and deploying troops in exchange for advanced military technologies. This cooperation marks a significant shift in regional dynamics and poses new security challenges for South Korea and other nations in the region.
Technology transfer reshapes regional security
Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov, commander of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), revealed in an interview with The War Zone that Russia and North Korea have reached agreements to establish drone production capabilities on North Korean territory.
“[There are] agreements on the beginning of the creation of capabilities to produce UAVs of the Garpiya and Geran (the Russian designation for Iranian Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones, – Ed.) types on the territory of North Korea,” Budanov stated. “It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea.”
The Shahed family of drones has been the most prolific long-range aerial threat to Ukraine throughout the war. Russia currently produces approximately 2,000 units monthly with plans to increase production to 5,000 per month, according to The War Zone.
Overnight on June 8 and 9 alone, Russia launched 479 Shaheds and decoy UAVs across Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
Dramatic missile improvements through Russian assistance
The technology transfer extends beyond drone production. Budanov revealed that North Korean KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, also known as Hwasong-11, have been transformed from unreliable weapons into precision strike systems through Russian assistance.
“Initially, with the beginning of the transfer to Russia, they were flying with a deviation of a few kilometers, but now they are exactly hitting the target,” Budanov explained. “This is the result of the common work of Russian and North Korean specialists.”
Nuclear and submarine technology included
Russia is assisting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program by solving critical problems with missile carriers and submarine-based launch systems. According to Budanov, North Korea previously struggled with these delivery systems, but Russian specialists are now providing solutions.
The intelligence chief pointed to the dramatic transformation of KN-23 missiles as proof – weapons that initially arrived are now completely different in their technical characteristics, with accuracy improved multiple times. The cooperation extends to upgrading aviation systems, including long-range air-to-air missiles, and submarine technologies for nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
North Korean military presence in Russia, and labor migrants as potential military recruits
Budanov confirmed that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. North Korea has supplied extensive armaments to support Russia’s war effort, including 122mm D-74 howitzers, 107mm infantry multiple launch rocket systems, 240mm MLRS, and 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery guns.
Regarding the Koksan artillery, Budanov noted Russia received 120 units and expects more deliveries, describing them as unfortunately effective long-range weapons performing well in combat.
Following Shoigu’s visit, Russia will import North Korean workers to replace Central Asian migrants deemed security risks. These workers could potentially become “Russian warriors, but of North Korean nationality” through military contracts.
HUR is now determining the program’s scope.
3. 15 WordPress-style tags: North Korea, Shahed drones, Russia-Ukraine war, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine intelligence, KN-23 missiles, Military technology transfer, Kursk Oblast, Nuclear weapons technology, Submarine technology, Koksan artillery, North Korean troops, Geran drones, Defense Intelligence Directorate, Ballistic missiles
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Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s Tatarstan overnight on 10 June, with explosions heard and drones seen in the cities of Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk — over 1,200 km from Ukraine’s border. Russian authorities responded by grounding flights at multiple airports and expanding penalties for publishing drone strike footage.
Drone attacks inside Russia have intensified over recent months, frequently targeting military and logistical infrastructure. Yelabuga hosts a facility that produces Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which Russia uses in the hundreds for daily attacks on Ukrainian cities. As of the time of publication, the results of the Ukrainian strikes remain unknown.
Drone strikes target Tatarstan and beyond
According to reports from Russian Telegram channels including Astra and Mash, explosions were heard in Nizhnekamsk, as the Ukrainian Liutyi drones were spotted there, and in Tatarstan’s Yelabuga. Eyewitnesses cited by Mash claimed the drones were flying north, toward areas with suspected drone factories.
Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ also shared last night’s footage featuring the sound of a massive explosion, head in Russia’s Tver, and of a drone fly-by in Saratov.
Local residents captured the moment when air defense missiles failed to intercept a fixed-wing drone flying over Tatarstan’s Nizhnekamsk.
The Shahed-manufacturing facility in Yelabuga was last targeted by Ukrainian drones in late May and, earlier, in April.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that between 21:50 and 23:55 Moscow time on 9 June, Russian air defense destroyed 76 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones: 46 over Bryansk Oblast, 16 over Belgorod Oblast, 2 each over Oryol and Kaluga oblasts, and 1 over Voronezh Oblast, and 9 over occupied Crimea.
In the next morning update, the Russian MoD claimed a total of 102 UAVs were intercepted overnight, including drones over Moscow, Tatarstan, and other regions.
The Leningrad Oblast governor, Aleksandr Drozdenko, stated a drone was allegedly shot down over Tosnensky District. He also reported restrictions on mobile and internet access in several areas. He also said internet and mobile communication restrictions were imposed in places.
Flight disruptions across multiple Russian cities
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, temporarily restricted take-offs and landings at airports in Nizhnekamsk, Pulkovo in St. Petersburg, Izhevsk, Kirov, and all Moscow airports.
Artem Korenyako of Rosaviatsiya noted the suspensions were imposed at the height of the drone threat, and that safety protocols such as the standard plan Kovyor, grounding all civilian aviation, were enacted in multiple cities.
Russia enacts regional bans on sharing drone strike data
Russian officials have imposed fines and restrictions on publishing any materials about drone strikes. Kommersant reports that regional governments have introduced penalties ranging from administrative fines to criminal prosecution.
These penalties apply to sharing data such as footage of missile interceptions or drone hits. In Kaluga Oblast alone, courts have received 42 cases. Other oblasts implementing restrictions include Kalmykia, Tver, and Tula.
In some instances, the fines — ranging from 3,000 to 200,000 rubles ($40–$2,550) — were issued to residents who shared videos or comments on social media. Media outlets, Telegram channel admins, and social media users have also been targeted. Repeat violations can lead to up to three years in prison.
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Ukraine has received no response from Russia to its peace proposals handed over ahead of the second round of talks in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said on 9 June during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys, Suspilne reports.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. On 2 June, the second round of low-level negotiations took place in Türkiye, yielding no progress on a ceasefire. Russia instead reiterated its maximalist demands, effectively amounting to Ukrainian capitulation, while simultaneously intensifying air attacks against Ukrainian civilians over the past week.
Sybiha stated that Moscow has yet to reply to the “constructive proposals” Ukraine presented and accused the Kremlin of blocking the peace process.
“Instead, they (the Russian delegation, – Ed.) threw a list of ultimatums on the table in Istanbul, which are unacceptable to diplomats,” Sybiha said.
He emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia and all entities aiding its war against Ukraine, pointing to the Kremlin’s actions as further proof of its unwillingness to pursue a peaceful resolution.
Suspilne previously obtained the full text of Ukraine’s memorandum presented during the Istanbul talks on 2 June. The document includes proposals for a ceasefire, monitoring of the truce, and a presidential meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.
It also calls for Russia’s unconditional return of all deported and displaced Ukrainian children, a full prisoner exchange, and the release of all civilian detainees. These measures are meant to cover all individuals affected since February 2014.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had disclosed on 28 May that the Ukrainian delegation had handed this memorandum to the head of the Russian negotiating team, Vladimir Medinsky.
During the 2 June session, Russia provided its own memorandum, which it claims includes steps for ending the war. According to this document, Russia demands a full withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, and recognition of these territories as Russian. The memorandum also requires Ukraine to adopt a neutral status, stop receiving weapons, and cease intelligence cooperation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s memorandum as an “ultimatum.”
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Connexion
(@andrii_sybiha) 
TG/Exilenova+ 
TG/Oleh Kiper 
