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War update

Ukraine war latest: US expects Russia's retaliation for Operation Spiderweb to continue soon; Ukraine denies Russian troop presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, describes situation as 'tense'

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 8, 2025

Key developments on June 7-8: * US expects Russia's retaliation for Operation Spiderweb to continue soon * Ukraine denies Russian troop presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast amid offensive, describes situation as 'tense' * Trump administration redirects 20,000 anti-drone missiles meant for Ukraine, Zelensky confirms * Ukraine downs fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Air

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General Staff: Russia has lost 996,150 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 8, 2025

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

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Kyiv Pride drone charity event takes place, faces counterprotest

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 8, 2025

A charity event for Kyiv Pride took place on June 7 outside the Foreign Ministry building and was met with a nearby counterprotest.

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France to produce drones in Ukraine, minister says

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

"We are going to embark on a completely unprecedented partnership where a large French car company – I won't name it because it's up to them to announce it – will join forces with a French defense SME (small to medium-sized enterprise) to equip production lines in Ukraine to be able to produce drones," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said.

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Canada pledges $25.5 million in military aid for Ukraine, including armored vehicles

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

The country pledged to provide Ukraine with almost $22 million worth of Coyote and Bison armored vehicles, as well as new equipment and ammunition supplied by Canadian companies.

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Six people likely trapped under rubble in Kharkiv after Russian attack

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with drones, missiles, and KAB guided bombs overnight on June 7, killing at least three people and injuring 22, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

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'Putin is a murderer' — Zelensky rejects Trump's claim that Russia, Ukraine are like 'kids'

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

"We are not kids with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at the playground in the park," Zelensky said, as quoted by the TV network. "He is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids."

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Ukraine used only domestic drones in Operation Spiderweb, Zelensky says

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

"I wanted very much to use only what we produce and to have the separation (be) very clear," Zelensky said, as quoted by the TV network.

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Ukraine downs fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Air Force says

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024. Reinforced by North Korean troops, Russia launched a push to recapture the region in early March, with Ukraine being forced to pull back from much of the initially taken territory.

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Russia hits Ukraine with 206 drones, 9 missiles overnight, Air Force says

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

Ukraine also downed 87 Russian combat drones, while 80 drones were neutralized by electronic warfare systems or disappeared from radars, the Air Force said.

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Baltic states issue statement backing Ukraine’s EU, NATO membership

by Daria Shulzhenko, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

They argued that Ukraine's NATO accession would “consolidate a just and lasting peace not only in Ukraine but also in all of Europe" and help uphold the rules-based international order globally.

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General Staff: Russia has lost 995,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 7, 2025

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

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Ukraine war latest: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb; Ukraine targets Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike'

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 6, 2025

Key developments on June 6: * Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb * Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike' ahead of drone, missile attack, General Staff says * Ukrainian drone attack destroys helicopter at Russian airfield in Bryansk, media says * Russia plans to occupy Ukraine east of

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General Staff: Russia has lost 993,910 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 6, 2025

The number includes 1,160 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

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UPDATE: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb

by Olena Goncharova, Abbey Fenbert, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 6, 2025

The attack killed three first responders in Kyiv and injured civilians across the country, including cities far from the front lines in western Ukraine.

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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers; Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 5, 2025

Key developments on June 5: * Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says * 'Deadline is in my brain' — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions * 'Not destroyed but damaged' — Russia claims it will repair bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb * Trump privately praises Ukraine's drone

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General Staff: Russia has lost 992,750 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 5, 2025

The number includes 930 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

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Ukraine war latest: Kyiv hacks Russian bomber maker; Putin's 'disregard' for troops highlighted as Russian losses near 1 million

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 4, 2025

Key developments on June 4: * Ukraine hacks Russia's Tupolev bomber producer, source claims * Putin's 'disregard' for troops highlighted as Russian losses approach 1 million, study finds * Ukraine expects to exchange 500 POWs in next swap with Russia, Zelensky says * Russia strikes Ukrainian military training facility in Poltava Oblast, military says

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Ukraine wouldn't launch Operation Spiderweb if Russia agreed to ceasefire, Zelensky says

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 4, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that roughly half of the 41 Russian planes targeted in the attack on June 1 will be impossible to repair.

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Kremlin confirms explosion at Russia's Crimean Bridge after Ukraine's sabotage, claims 'no damage'

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 4, 2025

"There indeed was an explosion. There was no damage, the bridge continues to function," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed.

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Ukraine defaults on GDP-linked sovereign debt payment

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 4, 2025

The country's Finance Ministry announced last week it would skip a $665 million government debt payment after failing to agree on restructuring terms with creditors.

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General Staff: Russia has lost 991,820 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 4, 2025

The number includes 1,020 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

War update

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv attacks Crimean bridge for 3rd time since beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

Key developments on June 3: * Russia's Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine's SBU claims responsibility * Russian strike on downtown Sumy kills at least 4, injures 28, authorities say * Ukraine to deploy new units to counter Russian drone attacks, Air Force says * Ukrainian strike on Russian bombers alarmed Kremlin over nuclear

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Ukraine confirms 41 Russian aircraft including bombers hit during Operation Spiderweb

by Kateryna Hodunova, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

Kyiv earlier claimed it disabled 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet in what is seen as one of the most daring operations during the full-scale war.

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Russia’s Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine’s SBU claims responsibility

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time during the full-scale war, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

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Ukraine's parliament backs bill on military ombudsman in 1st reading

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

Ukraine first unveiled plans to establish the office in April 2024 to ensure soldiers had a mechanism to report violations of their rights.

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Ukraine invited to NATO summit, Zelensky says

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

"We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a June 2 online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

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US House Speaker Johnson backs Senate bill to toughen sanctions on Russia

by Kateryna Denisova, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

"There's many members of Congress that want us to sanction Russia as strongly as we can," U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said. "And I'm an advocate of that."

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Russia lost 12 aircraft, Ukraine's military claims days after drone strike on Russian bombers

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

The report came two days after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a mass drone attack against Russian strategic aviation parked at four different air bases on June 1.

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Ukrainian delegation arrives in US to discuss defense support, Russia sanctions

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, is traveling to the U.S., a source close to the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent on June 3.

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General Staff: Russia has lost 990,800 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 3, 2025

The number includes 1,100 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia agree on new prisoner swap, return of fallen soldiers

by The Kyiv Independent news desk June 2, 2025

Key developments on June 2: * Ukraine, Russia conclude talks in Istanbul, a 1,200-for-1,200 prisoner exchange is in the works, Zelensky says * 5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv's army — Russian media publishes Moscow's official peace demands * 34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged