President Volodymyr Zelensky's office has confirmed plans for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 summit on June 17, according to the Kyiv Independent journalist who attended a closed-door briefing with Zelensky on June 13.  

"Both teams are working to ensure we meet," Zelensky said.

The meeting would mark the third in-person encounter between the two leaders during Trump's second term in the White House. Their most recent meeting took place on April 26 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where they spoke privately on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. Both sides described the meeting as productive and constructive, though details remained sparse.

Earlier in February, Zelensky met Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House when the infamous tense Oval Office exchange erupted, with Trump criticizing Kyiv's perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. support

Zelensky said his priority is to discuss with Trump sanctions against Russia, peace talks, weapons purchase, and U.S.-Ukraine economic cooperation.

"The United States communicates with the EU on sanctions at the level of senators and congressmen. But I want to raise this issue personally with President Trump," Zelensky said.

"There are steps forward we can take — but we need the political will of the U.S. president, if he wants."

He added that Ukraine has long prepared a "strong" weapons package to purchase from Washington.  "Only at the presidential level can we finalize it," Zelensky said ahead of the G7 summit.  

Russian offensives in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk oblasts

Zelensky said that heavy fighting is ongoing along Ukraine's northeastern border. Russian forces have concentrated around 53,000 troops in the Sumy sector, pushing into multiple settlements such as Andriivka, Kindrativka, and Oleksiivka.

According to the open-source monitoring group DeepState, Russian troops have been advancing along the border in Sumy Oblast, with the current front line lying just about 20 kilometers away from the regional capital of Sumy.

According to media reports, Russia exploited a thinning of Ukraine's front-line forces, which were later replaced by newer, under-equipped formations.

Zelensky said that Russia only pushed seven kilometers deep into Sumy, adding that the Russian army "has been stopped there."

Zelensky added that Ukrainian forces had successfully struck Russian positions in the neighboring Russian Kursk Oblast, near Tyotkino, to stall Russian momentum and split their offensive groups.  

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zelensky confirmed that small Russian reconnaissance groups had briefly crossed into Ukrainian territory — likely for propaganda purposes. One six-man unit was reportedly eliminated one kilometer from the administrative border.  

"For them (Russia), it's an important story, to take a photo, video," Zelensky said. "That's why they are launching small working groups to do just that."

Earlier, the Kremlin has claimed the operations in Dnipropetrovsk are part of an effort to create a so-called "buffer zone." Ukrainian officials have rejected these claims as disinformation.

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The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Israel-Iran war hits Ukraine's defenses

When speaking about the recent escalation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, Zelensky said that the subsequent regional tension had driven up oil prices, enhancing Russia's war financing through energy exports.  

"This factor clearly doesn't help us," he said, adding that Ukraine will urge Washington to implement stricter price caps on Russian oil at the G7.

He further revealed that U.S. weapons previously allocated to Ukraine, including 20,000 air-defense interceptors used to counter Iranian-designed Shahed drones, were redirected to support Israel ahead of its recent strikes on Iran.

"That was a serious blow... We were counting on these missiles," Zelensky said.

Zelensky warned that Ukraine must not become "a bargaining chip" in larger geopolitical negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, and the Middle East. Russia and Iran have deepened their cooperation since 2022, with Iran supplying weapons and technology to boost Moscow's war machine.

"I was constantly afraid that we could become a bargaining chip, just one factor in the negotiations between the United States and the Russians. So, along with the situation with Iran, the situation with Ukraine was also a factor. They are really dependent on each other," he said.

Europe's indecisiveness

Zelensky voiced concerns about a slowdown in Western diplomatic momentum, particularly around the "coalition of the willing" initiative led by France and the UK.  

Earlier, media reported that the "coalition of the willing," aimed at offering post-ceasefire security guarantees to Ukraine, has faced delays due to the absence of U.S. commitment.

"Europe hasn't yet decided what to do if America steps back," he said. "Their energy depended on U.S. resolve. Without it, things slow down."

Still, Zelensky made clear that Ukraine would not accept any ultimatums from Moscow amid the uncertainty of Western support. He described the latest Russian ceasefire proposals as capitulation.  

"They pretend to be ready for talks, but all they offer is an ultimatum," Zelensky said. "We won't go along with that. Not now, not ever."

Zelesnky also expressed optimism that the European Union's 18th sanctions package would pass later this month and said he would personally push for closer U.S.-EU coordination at the G7.

Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent. Iran has been one of Russia’s staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Prisoner exchanges and prospects for talks

Zelensky confirmed that prisoner exchanges with Russia are continuing and that another round of direct peace talks with Moscow may take place soon after.

"We expect that they (prisoner swaps) can be completed on the 20th or 21st (of June)," he said.

Over the week, Ukraine and Russia held a series of exchanges under an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul. Most recently, on June 12, Ukraine brought home another group of severely wounded and seriously ill service members.

The June 12 operation followed a similar swap two days earlier, both conducted without immediate disclosure of the number of released prisoners.

The June exchanges are part of a phased prisoner swap arrangement agreed during the second round of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on June 2. While no political breakthroughs emerged from the discussions, both sides agreed to continue exchanging POWs and repatriating the remains of fallen soldiers.

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.

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.

Molin posted on X:

“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.

Strategic shift toward attempted Pokrovsk encirclement?

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.

Airstrike patterns across Donbas and Sumy

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.

Ukrainian forces are gradually driving Russian troops back from parts of Sumy Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 12, amid escalating cross-border assaults in the region.

"Today, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi — the front and, above all, the Pokrovsk direction, the Kursk operation, the border area of Sumy Oblast," Zelensky said in a video address.

"Our units in Sumy Oblast are gradually pushing back the occupiers. Thank you to each of our soldiers, sergeants, and officers for this result."

The statement follows weeks of intensified Russian offensives along the northeastern border. Russian troops have advanced into Sumy Oblast since Ukraine's withdrawal from most of its positions in Russia's Kursk Oblast in March.

Since March, Russia has reportedly taken control of about 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, including roughly a dozen small villages. As of May 31, mandatory evacuations were ordered for 213 settlements.

In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to create a so-called "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, while Zelensky said on May 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops near Sumy.

In a separate interview with Bild on June 12, Zelensky dismissed Moscow's claims of significant territorial gains as "a Russian narrative" aimed at shaping global perceptions. He stressed that Ukrainian forces have managed to hold off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks.

Sumy Oblast, which shares a long border with Russia, has been under near-constant attack since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

On June 3, Russian strikes on the city of Sumy killed six people and injured 28 others, including children.

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin’s war economy heads toward breaking point

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv. Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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.

Zelenskyy dismissed the idea that recent drone strikes—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.

Putin “gives the finger” to the entire world, Zelenskyy says after Trump’s call with Russian president

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.”

Russia simply lying to Trump, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy calls for more sanctions against Russia

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.

Peace talks or war? Russia may choose both to avoid Western sanctions

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.

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.

Trump diplomacy’s new low: Rubio congratulates Russians on Russia Day

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.

US repeats Ukraine-Russia talks mantra despite Russia’s rejection of ceasefires

Western support critical to Ukraine’s survival

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.”

Putin “gives the finger” to the entire world, Zelenskyy says after Trump’s call with Russian president

President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian claims of significant battlefield gains, calling them part of a disinformation campaign during an interview with Bild published on June 12.

Zelensky rejected claims of Russian advance as "a Russian narrative," insisting that Ukraine's forces have been holding off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks.

"The Russians are not so successful, to say the least," Zelensky said.

His remarks come amid a surge in Russian military operations across Ukraine's eastern and northern regions, including Russian claims of territorial gains in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy oblasts — assertions Kyiv denies.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian state media on June 9 that the offensive in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast aims to establish a so-called "buffer zone" on Ukrainian territory.

The statement followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier announcement that Moscow intends to create security corridors along Ukraine's borders with Russia's Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions.

Ukrainian officials denied any Russian advances into Dnipropetrovsk.

"As of the morning of June 9, all Russian information, including Peskov's statements, about an offensive in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast does not correspond to reality," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.

Ukraine's Southern Operational Command described the situation as "tense" but said no breakthroughs had occurred.

Despite the absence of confirmed ground incursions, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has faced frequent missile and drone attacks. In April, the region initiated mandatory evacuations from four front-line villages as a precautionary measure.

Separately, open-source monitoring group DeepState showed some advances near the Russian border in Sumy Oblast. On June 8, DeepState confirmed that Russian troops had occupied the village of Loknia in Ukraine's Sumy Oblast.

Located about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Sumy, the village lies close to the Russian border in an increasingly volatile region. The Ukrainian General Staff has not commented on the development.

According to an article by Ukrainska Pravda, Russian forces began advancing into northern Sumy Oblast in late February or early March, taking advantage of the withdrawal of Ukraine's most combat-capable units. These were reportedly replaced by newly formed, under-resourced brigades with minimal combat experience and limited equipment.

Since March, Russia has reportedly taken control of about 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, including roughly a dozen small villages. The advances have triggered civilian evacuations. As of May 31, regional authorities ordered the evacuation of 213 settlements.

As Russia inches closer to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, new Ukrainian region might soon be at war

Moscow said its troops had crossed into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and were conducting offensive operations in the region, a claim Kyiv quickly denied as “Russian disinformation.” Russian troops have been pushing toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for months, trying to solidify the southern flank to capture Pokrovsk and the remaining parts of the

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

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.

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. 

There are currently no plans for mass civilian evacuations from the city of Sumy, regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov said on June 8, as Russian advances into Sumy Oblast have continued to gain momentum.

"There are currently no grounds for evacuation from the city of Sumy. The situation along the Sumy Oblast border is tense but under control of the Defense Forces," Hryhorov said on social media, referencing concerns on social media from residents.

Sumy Oblast has seen escalating attacks in recent weeks as Russia intensifies cross-border operations. Russian advances into Sumy have gained momentum since Ukrainian forces withdrew from most of their foothold in Russia's Kursk Oblast in March.

Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Sumy has repeatedly suffered from Russian strikes on the city. On June 3, Russian attacks on the city killed four people and injured 28 others, including three children.

On May 31, Hryhorov announced mandatory evacuation orders for 11 more villages due to intensifying attacks, bringing the total number of evacuated settlements in Sumy Oblast to 213.

The open-source battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported on June 8 that Russian forces have occupied the village of Loknia in Sumy Oblast, as the advances on small settlements along the border continues. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the reported advance, and the Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the reporting.

In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to create a so-called "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops near Sumy.

As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensive

Reports of an imminent Russian summer offensive and troop build ups on Ukraine’s border are raising alarms in Sumy Oblast and fears that a large-scale assault could be on the horizon. Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 22 said he had ordered his military to create a “security buffer zone”

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims that its 90th Tank Division has reached the western border of the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast and is advancing into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The statement was published on the ministry’s official Telegram channel.

Ukrainian officials strongly deny the claim. Andrii Kovaliov, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Ukrainska Pravda that Russia’s statement “does not reflect reality.”

“Fighting continues in Donetsk Oblast. The enemy has not entered Dnipropetrovsk,” Kovaliov said.

Regional governor Serhii Lysak also dismissed the reports as “fake,” accusing Russia of trying to spread panic and destabilize the region.

Heavy fighting reported near Dnipropetrovsk border

Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces stated that Russian troops are actively attempting to breach the Dnipropetrovsk border but emphasized that Ukrainian forces are holding firm.

“Our section of the front is in critical condition. They’re coming like cockroaches, nonstop,” said a soldier from the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, describing relentless small-group infantry assaults.

Both the 72nd and 31st brigades reported heavy fighting near the oblast’s borders. The 31st Brigade noted that while the situation remains tense, Ukrainian defenders continue to repel Russian advances.

Military analysts suggest that Russia’s push toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast may be driven more by propaganda goals than strategic necessity. Although the region has faced frequent missile and drone attacks, it has not previously seen ground combat.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the Ukrainian military's denial of the presence of Russian troops in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Russian forces continue their efforts to break into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces reported on June 8, saying that the situation around the 31st Separate Brigade's positions remains "tense."

"The enemy has not abandoned its plans to enter Dnipropetrovsk Oblast," the Southern Defense Forces wrote on Telegram. "Our soldiers are bravely and professionally holding their section of the front, thwarting the occupier's plans."

The comment follows the Russian Defense Ministry's June 8 claim that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Despite the claims, Major Andrii Kovalev, a spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff denied Russian troop presence in the region.

"The information is not true. Fighting is ongoing in Donetsk Oblast. The enemy did not enter Dnipropetrovsk Oblast," Kovalev told Ukrainska Pravda.

In a separate statement to CNN, Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces said that "the Russians are constantly spreading false information that they have entered the Dnipropetrovsk region from the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions, but (in neither place) is this information true.”

The 31st Brigade is deployed in the Novopavlivka direction, where Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts converge. Since 2014, Russian aggression has heavily impacted Donetsk Oblast, while Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has remained free from direct incursions.

The denials from Ukraine's militaary come amid continuing Russian offensives in eastern and northern Ukraine, along with escalating diplomatic efforts that have yet to yield a ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said on June 6 that Russia aims to occupy all Ukrainian territory east of the Dnipro River and advance toward Odesa and Mykolaiv in a broader plan to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, amid a renewed summer offensive.

On May 21, Ukrainian officials rejected similar claims that Russian troops had reached Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's administrative boundary.

Serhii Lysak, head of the regional military administration, called the reports "fake," citing doctored photos allegedly showing Russian soldiers in the area.

The Ukrainian monitoring project DeepState analyzed one such image and determined it had been taken in Troitske, a village in Donetsk Oblast.

As a precaution, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast began mandatory evacuations of children and families from four front-line villages in late April — Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka — located just 5 to 15 kilometers from Russian positions.

Despite the lack of verified ground incursions, Dnipropetrovsk has endured frequent Russian missile, drone, and aerial attacks since the full-scale invasion began.

The ongoing Russian advance occurs as peace efforts remain stalled, and U.S.-brokered negotiations have failed to achieve a ceasefire.

US expects Russia’s retaliation for Operation Spiderweb to continue soon

One official told Reuters that while the timing remains unclear, a retaliatory strike could be expected in the coming days and is likely to be “asymmetrical.”

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Today, there are many important updates from the Sumy direction.

Here along the Sumy border, Ukrainian forces lured Russian units into counterattacks and then traced their movements back to hidden staging grounds across Kursk. With their positions exposed, HIMARS batteries struck hard, delivering devastating blows to troop concentrations, command posts, and infrastructure critical to Russia’s planned offensive.

Ukrainian commanders in the area have confirmed the buildup, noting that these forces are being readied for large-scale operations aimed at breaching the Sumy region’s defenses. The massive Russian force concentration here underscores their conviction that they can still achieve victory through overwhelming manpower and renewed offensives.

The offensive that hunted its own hunters

To neutralize this threat, Ukrainians needed to eliminate this large force concentration before they had the opportunity to move to the front line. To accomplish this, Ukrainians launched attacks on the eastern flank of Tyotkino to force a Russian redeployment and draw forces away from the town itself.

By threatening a potential outflank, they put pressure on Russian positions while conducting swift rotations to keep fresh troops and equipment on the front line. This way, Ukrainians also improve their defensive position against Russian pressure across this section of the front, while their main offensive units threaten a two-pronged assault on Tyotkino.

Combat footage from the area shows Ukrainian armored vehicles rotating efficiently — one withdrawing to resupply, while another engages Russian positions, ensuring constant pressure on enemy lines. This tactic prevents Russian forces from massing at strong points and forces them into improvised defensive positions in open terrain.

As Russian troops rushed forward to plug gaps and prevent a Ukrainian breakthrough, many were eliminated by FPV drone strikes. Even attempts to move in small groups of two or three failed to evade detection as drones continued targeting them with precision.

Russia moved, Ukraine mapped, HIMARS delivered

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Russia’s ghost riders are storming Sumy—and they’re not meant to come back

However, most importantly, Ukrainians traced these movements, revealing the locations of Russian troop concentrations and command posts, opening the door for devastating Ukrainian strikes. This critical intelligence allowed HIMARS crews to lock in their targets and strike several Russian military bases simultaneously.

Footage confirms that Ukraine hit two Russian deployment points in Lgov and Rylsk, as local residents report large numbers of casualties among Russian soldiers being taken away in the aftermath. Russians were also spotted gathering their forces in an abandoned hospital building, as the strike completely devastated the building and any Russian soldiers inside.

Ukrainians also targeted Russian command posts to disrupt the Russian offensive preparations and inflict severe losses. Moreover, as reported previously, one of the victims of the recent strikes was the deputy commander of the 155th Marine Brigade, who was reportedly eliminated by a precision strike on his command post in Rylsk.

From Russia’s damned-if-you-do to Kyiv’s damned-if-you-don’t trap

These strikes show that Ukrainians are already draining Russian reserves even before they can launch their offensive. They are disrupting Russian preparations and inflicting losses, further limiting what they can achieve.

Overall, the Ukrainians managed to lure the Russians to expose their forces in the open, to discover their critical infrastructure, resulting in a series of devastating precision strikes. Intensification of Ukrainian assaults in the Tyotkyne incursion will inevitably leave Russians with no other option but to deploy more forces to this area, exposing further force concentration points to Ukrainian observation and strike teams. As Ukrainians continue to scout behind Russian lines, additional strikes seem inevitable.

Furthermore, as Russians suffer logistical strains by deploying and concentrating so many troops, any movement will be nearly impossible to hide.

In our daily frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Russia aims to occupy all Ukrainian territory east of the Dnipro River and advance toward Odesa and Mykolaiv in a broader plan to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said, Politico reported on June 6.

The remarks come amid continuing Russian offensives in eastern and northern Ukraine, along with escalating diplomatic efforts that have yet to yield a ceasefire.

According to Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), Moscow hopes to seize the entirety of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by this fall and establish a buffer zone along Ukraine's northern border with Russia.

The second phase of the plan envisions more ambitious territorial gains, including an advance into southern Ukraine aimed at cutting the country off from the sea.

"Unfortunately, they are not speaking about peace. They are preparing for war," Palisa said during a press briefing at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.

The warning comes days after Russia presented Ukraine with a so-called "peace memorandum" during a second round of negotiations in Istanbul on June 2.

The document, published by Russian state media outlet TASS, demands that Kyiv recognize Russia's claimed annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts — Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk — and fully withdraw from them.

Moscow also calls for Ukraine's demobilization and a formal ban on NATO membership.

During the talks, Ukraine's delegation submitted a separate proposal calling for an all-for-all prisoner exchange, the return of abducted Ukrainian children, and the release of civilians held in Russian captivity.

Kyiv also reiterated its call for a Western-backed 30-day ceasefire as a foundation for future negotiations — a proposal Moscow again rejected.

Ukraine's military leadership has warned that Russian forces are preparing for a major summer offensive in Donetsk Oblast, where daily assaults have continued since 2022.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian troops are advancing through mass wave attacks that gain only tens of meters per day. According to the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Moscow currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine.

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The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Russian forces have captured the village of Kostiantynivka in northern Sumy Oblast — not to be confused with the strategic town of the same name in Donetsk Oblast — and are intensifying multi-axis assaults toward Sumy City, according to Ukrainian and Western sources.

Expanding the northern frontline

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on 2 June, Russian troops are attempting to widen the northern Sumy Oblast frontline via three axes north and northeast of Sumy City. Geolocated footage confirmed recent Russian movements near Andriivka and Yablunivka. Russian milbloggers claimed that Oleksiivka, Novomykhailivka, and Kindrativka had been seized, with troops pushing into northern Andriivka, west of Yablunivka, and toward Kostyantynivka.

Elements of Russia’s 18th Motorized Rifle Division and 177th Naval Infantry Regiment are reportedly operating in the area, alongside airborne regiments from the 76th VDV Division. Military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets noted that the 752nd Regiment and 200th Brigade were recently redeployed from Lyman and Chasiv Yar to bolster forces in Sumy Oblast.

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Russia’s strategic goals near Sumy

ISW notes that Moscow aims to approach the Khotin-Khrapivshchyna line, roughly 12–15 km from Sumy, placing the city within tube artillery range. The reported use of drones and artillery strikes is likely part of preparations for a potential offensive on Sumy City. However, ISW assesses that Russian forces are unlikely to capture the city in the near term.

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DeepState and Suspilne confirm ground situation

Citing analysts of the Ukrainian group Deep State, monitoring the frontline situation, Suspilne reported that Russian forces occupied Volodymyrivka and Kostiantynivka and made advances in Oleksiivka, with portions still in a grey zone. Ukrainian Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko identified Yunakivka and Khotin as key targets. He warned that if Russian forces manage to move artillery closer, threats to Sumy will intensify.

Military expert Pavlo Narozhny told Suspilne that the push toward Yunakivka aims to cut off Ukrainian supply lines from the Sumy-Yunakivka-Sudzha highway, which supports troops on the border and in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Narozhny said Yunakivka offers intact infrastructure suitable for Russian consolidation and future advances.

Ukrainian positions under pressure from Russian “meat-wave assaults”

Fighting continues near Bilovody and Loknya, with attempted incursions into Yablunivka. Deep State co-founder Ruslan Mykula told Suspilne Russian forces were repelled in some villages but remain focused on isolating Yunakivka from the west.

Narozhny also described earlier attempts to sever logistics using drones near Novenke and claimed Russian forces now push through small villages like Volodymyrivka. He emphasized that their main objective remains Yunakivka, a staging ground for further operations toward Sumy.

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A combat medic anonymously told Suspilne that enemy drone and equipment superiority complicates evacuations and supply runs. A frontline sergeant described Russia’s tactic as “meat assaults,” sending successive small units using motorcycles and ATVs. Survivors regroup and continue advancing through tree lines and villages.

Threat level and troop presence

Narozhny estimated around 60,000 Russian troops are now deployed along the border, posing a significant but not yet critical threat. He said Ukraine must maintain 20,000–30,000 troops in the area due to the length of the frontline.

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Former intelligence chief Mykola Malomuzh stated that the current Russian grouping had earlier pushed Ukrainians from Kursk Oblast and now aims to secure new positions for potential strikes on Sumy. He said the “buffer zone” narrative masks broader offensive ambitions. Ukrainian defenses are reportedly holding due to well-fortified positions developed over time.

Narozhny also pointed to the forest between Yunakivka and Sumy as a major obstacle. He compared it to the Serebryanskyi forest in Luhansk Oblast, where Russian troops remain stalled after two years.

Russia occupies four empty border villages in Sumy Oblast

Territory under Russian control

As of 2 June, Russian troops controlled around 125 square kilometers of northern Sumy Oblast, with another 70 km² in the grey zone, according to Deep State. Villages under Russian control also include Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka, and Zhuravka.

Overnight on 3 June, DeepState reported that Russian forces had captured Kostiantynivka in Sumy Oblast. The status of Kindrativka, Vodolaha, and Oleksiivka remains under clarification. DeepState noted that “the situation continues to deteriorate due to constant enemy pressure and large infantry numbers,” adding that “after targeting enemy concentrations, new waves rush in so fast that our forces struggle to destroy them in time.”

Russia’s Sumy ambitions unlikely to succeed soon, says ISW

Related:

• Russian motorcycle units storm Ukrainian border villages seeking Sumy buffer zone in new offensive
• Russia tries to break through to northern Ukraine’s Sumy city amid ceasefire talks
• Russian drone blows up civilian shuttle bus, leaving nine dead in Sumy border town
• Russia bombs Sumy Oblast on first day of its own declared ceasefire

Russians are advancing — after a breakthrough in the region, Sumy may come under direct fire.
On the border of Sumy Oblast, Russian occupiers have intensified their offensive and advanced 6–7 kilometers deep into Ukrainian territory.

Russia does not intend to stop at creating a so-called “buffer zone,” adds Shevtsov. Its goal is the full occupation of Sumy Oblast, as well as Kharkiv Oblast and other regions in eastern Ukraine.

According to Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service (SBGS), about 50,000 Russian troops have been concentrated in Kursk Oblast near the Russian border, UNIAN reports. 

The offensive is accompanied by intense shelling from drones, artillery, and aircraft using glide bombs and guided missiles.

All of this aims to complicate the defense of Ukrainian positions and push even deeper.

“The situation is not easy — in fact, it’s difficult. The Russians are sending infantry groups toward Yunakivka and Khotin. If earlier we observed activity in the areas of Basivka and Zhuravka, now the zone has expanded,” Demchenko says.

So far, heavy armored vehicles have not been used. Instead, Russia is deploying infantry, including units on quad bikes and motorcycles, to quickly break into Ukrainian territory.

The invaders are trying to entrench themselves in forest belts and hideouts while awaiting reinforcements.

“We must pay tribute to our soldiers, who are bravely holding the defense and destroying dozens of invaders every day… But unfortunately, the enemy does not care about its losses — some die, others keep coming,” the military spokesperson emphasizes. 

According to Demchenko, the occupiers’ goal is to gradually expand the combat zone and move closer to strategically important logistical hubs to increase pressure on Ukraine’s defense forces.

Ukrainian military officials and defense analysts warn that Russia is preparing for a major offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast this summer, aiming to seize the territory it has failed to fully control since 2022.

Some analysts interviewed by the Washington Post say the offensive has already begun, coinciding with stalled U.S.-brokered peace efforts and Moscow's rejection of repeated Western ceasefire calls. U.S. experts believe President Vladimir Putin remains convinced that a military victory is still possible, although continued sanctions and battlefield losses have strained Russia's capabilities.

Putin has long prioritized control over the entire Donetsk region, especially after failing to capture Kyiv early in the war. In September 2022, he declared Donetsk and three other partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts as part of the Russian Federation.

While Russia claims to seek peace, it insists that talks must address what it calls the "root causes" of the war. After direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16, both sides agreed to draft a memorandum outlining principles for a future settlement.

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The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

Analysts say that while the main offensive will focus on Donetsk—particularly the towns of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka—Russia is also preparing smaller operations in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

Mykola Bielieskov of Ukraine's National Institute for Strategic Studies told the Washington Post that Kostiantynivka remains a key target as it is a "promising" prospect for the Russian forces at present, he said, given Russia's ability to attack it from three directions. Despite past predictions that these towns would fall by late 2023, Ukrainian forces have continued to hold them through significant effort.

Ukraine, however, remains under strain due to recruitment shortfalls and limited firepower, while Russia has exceeded its military recruitment goals. Still, with around 125,000 troops on the Sumy and Kharkiv borders, Russia lacks the manpower for full-scale offensives in both regions, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Instead, Russia may attempt to seize small territories to create "buffer zones," as described by Russian officials. Russian forces have already taken four villages in northeastern Sumy Oblast and aim to pressure regional centers like Sumy city.

Ukraine continues to focus on defense, aiming to inflict heavy losses on Russian forces rather than reclaim territory. This strategy hinges on sustained foreign weapons supplies, especially from the U.S., which are not guaranteed.

Europe has signaled increased support, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons. Russia has seized on this move as proof that Europe opposes peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of Russian airstrikes by saying Trump's frustration is directed at European leaders for allegedly undermining his peace efforts.

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The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Four settlements along the border of Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast have come under Russian control, regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov reported on May 26.

Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The region has recently seen renewed hostilities as Russian forces ramp up activity along the northeastern border.

Russian forces control the border villages of Novenke, Zhuravka, Veselivka, and Basivka, Hryhorov announced on May 26.

"Residents of these villages were evacuated long ago, and there is no threat to civilians," he said.

The now-occupied villages were previously considered part of the "gray zone," areas with contested or unclear military control.

According to Hryhorov, Russia is continuing attempts to advance in Sumy Oblast "to create a so-called 'buffer zone.'" Fighting remains ongoing near the communities of Vodolahy, Yunakivka, and Khotin.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces and all components of the defense forces are keeping the situation under control, inflicting precision fire on the enemy," Hryhorov said. "Our defenders are resolutely repelling the enemy's attacks and preventing them from advancing deeper into Sumy Oblast."

Less than a week earlier, Hryhorov announced that around 56,000 civilians had been evacuated from the region amid escalating Russian aggression. Along with daily attacks, Russia has been deploying assault groups to Sumy Oblast throughout spring 2025 in attempts to expand the front line.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on May 22 that Moscow is already working to establish a "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, including near Sumy Oblast.

Ukrainian intelligence reports show indicate that Russia is planning new offensive operations, even as it pays lip service to the peace process, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 26.

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The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

Russia is "preparing new offensive operations" in its full-scale war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 26, following an intelligence briefing.

Kyiv has previously warned about the threat of a new major Russian offensive targeting Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring and summer. While Russia has made only minimal territorial gains at the cost of heavy losses over the last several months, Moscow has doubled down on its maximalist objectives in recent peace talks.

Ukrainian intelligence reports confirm that Russia is not seriously interested in a peace settlement, Zelensky said in his evening address on May 26.

"We can see from the information that our intelligence is gathering and from open data that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his entourage have no plans to end the war — there is no evidence that they are seriously considering peace and that they are seriously considering diplomacy," he said.

"On the contrary, there is a lot of evidence that they are preparing new offensive operations."

The intelligence agencies of Ukraine's allies have likely seen the same evidence, Zelensky said. He urged partner nations to apply "appropriate joint pressure" on Moscow in response.

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Zelensky's latest remarks come after three nights of relentless Russian aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities — launched while the Kremlin drags its feet in delivering the terms of its proposed "memorandum" on a possible future peace settlement.

The memorandum was Putin's counteroffer after he again rejected a ceasefire in a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19. Russia has still not delivered the document presenting its settlement terms.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia would only submit the draft "settlement document" after Ukraine and Russia concluded their 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The swap was completed on May 25.

Zelensky called attention to Russia's delay in submitting the memorandum.

"They have spent more than a week on this," he said. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when in the midst of this, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, constant assaults, and preparations for new offensives, this is definitely a diagnosis. Russia deserves full-scale pressure — everything that can be done to limit their military capabilities."

According to Zelensky, Russia launched over 900 strike drones over the last three days, in addition to cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine is looking to increase its production of interceptor drones and direct additional funding to developing its ballistic missile program, he said.

Officials and experts told the Washington Post (WP) on May 24 that Russia likely lacks the military capability to mount an offensive that could successfully break Ukraine's lines. The decline in Russia's military advantage could make coordinated Western pressure on the Kremlin more effective, officials said.

Zelensky urged the U.S. and Europe to enact "new and strong sanctions" against Moscow to force Putin to accept a ceasefire and show "respect" for the diplomatic process.

While Trump criticized Putin after the latest round of large-scale attacks, the U.S. president has a history of failing to follow through on threats of sanctions against Russia.

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