Japan Today: Japan to provide Ukraine with additional surveillance drones, vans

2:00 AM  (Updated:  June 18, 2025 3:30 am)

Zelensky leaves G7 early without meeting Trump as Canada drops Ukraine statement amid US pushback.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is cutting his visit to Canada short and will return to Kyiv on June 17, while G7 talks are still ongoing, a source told a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground.

1:35 AM  (Updated:  June 18, 2025 2:58 am)

'A brutal strike' — Massive Russian missile and drone attack hits Kyiv, killing 16, injuring at least 134.

Russian drones and ballistic missiles targeted the capital overnight, killing 16 people and injuring at least 134, State Emergency Service reported. Damage to civilian infrastructure has also been reported throughout the city.

12:46 AM

G7 allies push for stronger Russia sanctions as Trump resists, Bloomberg reports.

The debate over sanctions comes as intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 14 people and injured 117 in Kyiv overnight on June 17.

11:53 PM

Ukrainian drone brigade distances itself from ex-volunteer commander's criticism.

On June 14, Ryan O'Leary, an American volunteer, said that mismanagement within the military, rather than Russia's actions, was responsible for "more deaths," accusing commanders of prioritizing personal power over troop welfare.

10:58 PM

Canada announces $1.5 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, sanctions targeting Russia at G7 summit.

"To be absolutely clear, this support will be unwavering until we get a just peace for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on June 17.

10:11 PM

Ukraine war latest: Massive Russian attack kills 14, injures 117 in Kyiv

9:00 PM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 9:25 pm)

US reportedly considers strikes on Iran as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender.'

Trump said that "we know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding." "He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," he continued.

8:53 PM

Field report

‘He said he wasn’t going anywhere’ — Survivors search for missing following Russia’s deadliest attack on Kyiv this year

6:52 PM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 8:24 pm)

Zelensky arrives at G7 summit hours after Trump departs.

Zelensky was expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the summit. However, it is not clear if the meeting will take place because Trump left the summit early due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

8:07 PM

20 people injured in Kherson as Russia shifts drone attack tactics, governor says.

The attacks left several people hospitalized with blast trauma and shrapnel wounds.

7:39 PM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 7:59 pm)

War analysis

Ukraine is mass-producing its own ballistic missile — here’s how it can be used to strike Russia

6:32 PM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 7:08 pm)

Europe

After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe finally lays out road map to detox from Russian oil and gas.

6:45 PM

Human story

‘Beyond cynical’ – Ukraine says Russian doctor carved ‘Glory to Russia’ scar on POW during operation

5:42 PM

Israel reluctant to accept Russia's mediation in war with Iran, Kremlin says.

"At the moment, we see reluctance — at least on Israel’s part — to resort to mediation or pursue a peaceful resolution," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed.

6:52 AM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 5:24 pm)

Russian drone strike on Odesa kills 2, injures 17, including 1 child.

Russian drone strikes on Odesa early June 17 killed 1, injured 17 people, including a pregnant woman and a child, regional authorities said.

10:33 AM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 4:23 pm)

Russia's Shoigu visits North Korea on 'special assignment' from Putin.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu is expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the visit.

3:42 PM

Ukraine urges citizens to leave Israel and Iran amid escalating tensions.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to leave Israel and Iran "as soon as possible" due to a serious deterioration in regional security.

3:35 PM

Hours after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv, Trump was unaware it had even happened.

At the time of writing some seven hours later, the White House has still yet to comment on the attack.

2:25 PM

US group designed to pressure Russia into peace in Ukraine disbanded by Trump administration, Reuters reports.

"It lost steam toward the end because the president wasn't there," an official told Reuters.

5:28 PM  (Updated:  June 17, 2025 12:56 pm)

Business

Investing in wartime Ukraine requires ‘nuanced understanding of risk’ but is worth it, says head of world’s largest business organization

11:41 AM

Cluster munitions used in overnight Russian strike on Ukraine, Kyiv mayor says.

"On the capital's Nyvky neighborhood, emergency workers are now finding these kinds of cluster munition parts," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a statement.

4:29 AM

Russian military-industrial chemical plant halts operations after Ukrainian drone strike.

The Nevinnomyssk Azot chemical plant — a key supplier to the Kremlin's military-industrial complex — has suspended production following Ukrainian drone strikes, Russian independent media reported on June 16.

2:53 AM

Trump leaves G7 summit early ahead of anticipated June 17 meeting with Zelensky.

U.S. President Donald Trump departed the G7 Leaders' Summit late on June 16, ahead of an anticipated high-stakes meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 17.

12:30 AM

Canada reportedly set to announce new military aid for Ukraine at G7.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce additional support for Ukraine during the G7 summit, CBC News reported on June 16, citing government sources.

10:46 PM

Ukraine moves forward on lithium mining under US minerals deal, NYT reports.

On June 16, the Ukrainian government reportedly agreed to begin drafting recommendations for a bidding process to develop the Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine.