Associated Press: Despite sanctions, Russian exports to US account for nearly $1 billion

4:02 AM  (Updated:  June 13, 2025 6:02 am)

Israel launches 'preemptive strikes' on Iran's nuclear program, IRGC Chief reportedly killed in attack.

Israeli forces launched "preemptive strikes" on Iran overnight on June 13, tarting Iran's nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.

6:50 PM  (Updated:  June 13, 2025 3:23 am)

Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles.

Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who said Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

1:45 AM

EU names special envoy for Ukrainian refugees, POLITICO reports.

Ylva Johansson, former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, will serve as the European Union's new special envoy for Ukrainians, overseeing long-term strategy for Ukrainian refugees in the bloc.

12:17 AM

Russia's Wagner Group abused civilians in secret prisons in Mali, investigation finds.

Since 2021, Russian Wagner mercenaries have detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared hundreds of civilians in secret prisons across Mali, according to a joint investigation published on June 12 by Forbidden Stories, France 24, Le Monde, and IStories.

10:56 PM

G7 ready to lower Russian oil price cap without US support, Reuters reports.

Most G7 members are prepared to lower the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel even without U.S. support, Reuters reported on June 12.

10:32 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces 'gradually pushing back' Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says.

9:42 PM

Putin announces creation of separate drone branch in Russian military.

"We have accumulated a great deal of experience to create this branch of the armed forces," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

9:16 PM

Russia exploits medical exemptions to bypass sanctions, Lithuania says.

Lithuanian customs authorities blocked 28,854 goods in 2024 that were allegedly destined for Russia and Belarus "under the guise of medical exemption," Lithuania's Deputy Foreign Minister Gabija Grigaite-Daugirde said.

8:15 PM

Ukrainian forces 'gradually pushing back' Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says.

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

7:27 PM

Russia converts Kerch Airport in Crimea into military base, investigation shows.

On March 4, 2025, the Russian-backed authorities officially transferred part of the airport's land to Russia's Defense Ministry for indefinite use, according to the investigation.

6:12 PM

Interview

‘I feel like I lost 3 years’ — Ukrainian author turned soldier Artem Chapeye on culture during war

2:35 PM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 5:51 pm)

Russian Economy

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin faces an economic time bomb

5:28 PM

Russia reportedly redeploys bombers to Far East bases after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb.

The relocation comes in the wake of Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, a June 1 drone strike that targeted four Russian air bases deep inside the country.

5:00 PM

War analysis

Why can't the West match Russia's ammunition production?

8:34 AM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 4:22 pm)

For first time since invasion of Ukraine, US congratulates Russia on National Day.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Russian people on June 12, Russia's National Day, and expressed a desire for "constructive engagement" to bring peace to Ukraine.

4:00 PM

Over 100,000 Russian families seek missing soldiers through Ukrainian project, Kyiv says.

In May 2025 alone, the project received a record 12,320 inquiries — the highest monthly figure since the program began in January 2024.

3:42 PM

EU approves new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goods.

The measures target those goods that have not yet been subject to additional customs duties and will enter into force on July 1. The tariffs on fertilizers will increase gradually over the next three years.

2:29 PM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 3:12 pm)

Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal.

The prisoners of war (POWs) were released as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia agreed upon during recent peace talks in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the POWs said.

10:00 PM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 3:03 pm)

War analysis

What is the death toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine?

2:44 PM

US Ambassador to Russia Tracy leaving post, embassy says.

The U.S. Embassy said that Ambassador Lynne Tracy is "concluding her mission at the U.S. Embassy in Russia," without providing further details.

1:58 PM

Russia cultivates pro-Kremlin African elite through education, Ukraine's intel warns.

According to Andrii Yusov, the agency's spokesperson, the Kremlin's strategic aim is to shape a future generation of African elites that are politically and ideologically aligned with Moscow's interests.

1:13 PM

NATO expands satellite surveillance to monitor Ukraine, eastern flank.

The initiative, named Smart Indication and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD), will allow NATO to scan vast territories with unprecedented frequency, using AI-powered analysis to detect changes and alert allies to potential threats.

12:26 PM

'They are not so successful' — Zelensky rejects claims of major Russian advances.

President Volodymyr 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.

12:01 PM

Death toll of Russia's June 7 strike on Kharkiv rises to 5.

The death toll of a Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on June 7 has risen to five, as two more bodies were found in the rubble, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on June 12.

11:24 AM

Russia 'lying to Trump,' using peace talks to stall US sanctions, Zelensky says.

"It's important for them to show (U.S. President Donald) Trump that there is a diplomatic bridge between Ukraine and Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky told Bild.