Media in Progress Ep. 6: Popular protest, inter-elite feuds or Russian intervention - What’s going on in Kazakhstan?

1:58 AM  (Updated:  June 6, 2025 6:59 am)

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

At least four people in Kyiv were killed in the attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported. Casualties and damage have also been reported in the western Ukrainian cities of Ternopil and Lutsk.

4:48 AM  (Updated:  June 6, 2025 6:07 am)

Russia's Engels oil refinery ablaze after reported drone attack in Saratov Oblast.

Governor Roman Busargin claimed that a fire broke out at an unspecified "industrial enterprise" in Engels, as locals shared footage of an oil depot in flames. The Kristal Plant refinery supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.

2:53 AM

European Union

EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv's path to European integration

11:40 PM

'Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight,’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war.

President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them.

10:24 PM

Russia bombs central Kherson, partially destroys regional administration building.

Russian forces launched high-explosive bombs at the center of Ukraine's southern city of Kherson on June 5, hitting and partially destroying the Regional State Administration building and damaging several surrounding structures.

9:55 PM

In show of unity, US nominates next chief of NATO's European command.

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on June 5, reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure.

9:25 PM

War update

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

7:59 PM  (Updated:  June 5, 2025 8:54 pm)

'Deadline is in my brain' — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

8:41 PM

Russia's response to Operation Spiderweb is likely 'not going to be pretty,' Trump says.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on June 5 that Russia's response to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb is likely "not going to be pretty," following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day prior.

6:38 PM

'Not destroyed but damaged' — Russia claims it will repair bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb.

In addition to supply-chain challenges brought upon economic sanctions, Russia would also likely face challenges due to the complexities of Soviet-era technology present in the aircraft, if it were to attempt to restore the bombers.

5:41 PM

'Time to put an end to insanity of war,' Brazil's Lula told Putin, calls for restraint following Operation Spiderweb.

"I said (to Putin) it's time to open our eyes and to put an end to the insanity of war, which destroys everything and builds nothing," Brazilian President Lula da Silva told reporters during a visit to France.

5:19 PM

Business

In wartime Ukraine, a university grows — and reclaims a space once reserved for the corrupt

5:14 PM

Culture

Controversial Russian literature prize sparks debate on separating culture from war crimes

5:09 PM

Video

Without justice, war will come back, veteran reporter says

4:41 PM

Damage, disruptions reported following explosion on train tracks in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, official claims.

Ukraine's intelligence agencies as well as Ukrainian partisan movements have previously been involved in sabotage attacks on Russian railways, disrupting the transport of military cargo toward the front line.

11:49 PM  (Updated:  June 5, 2025 3:51 pm)

Putin tells new pope Kyiv seeks to escalate war, urges Vatican support for Moscow-linked church in Ukraine.

Russia wants the Vatican to "take a more active role" in advocating for what it described as freedom of religion in Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement on June 4 following recent diplomatic contacts.

3:42 PM

Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions.

The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry.

2:45 PM

Russia plans to produce 2 million FPV drones in 2025, Ukrainian intelligence says.

The ramp-up marks a critical expansion of Moscow's drone warfare program, as both Ukraine and Russia increasingly rely on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and front-line attacks.

2:21 PM

Trump privately praises Ukraine's drone strike on Russian bombers as 'badass,' Axios reports.

While Trump has remained silent in public about the attack, he reportedly expressed enthusiasm behind closed doors.

8:49 AM  (Updated:  June 5, 2025 1:08 pm)

5 killed, 9 injured in Russian drone strike on Chernihiv Oblast.

According to Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus, at least six Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones were used in the assault.

12:35 PM

Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says.

The strike reportedly destroyed one Iskander missile launcher and seriously damaged two others.

11:59 AM

Russia impersonating Ukraine's security service to recruit saboteurs, SBU warns.

The SBU said this marks a notable escalation and shift in Russia’s recruitment strategy.

11:31 AM

8 killed, 46 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched 103 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile.

10:22 AM

Kim Jong Un reaffirms 'unconditional' support for Russia's war in Ukraine during Shoigu visit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed that his country "unconditionally supports the stand of Russia and its foreign policies."

10:03 AM

Ukraine, US plan to launch minerals investment fund by year's end.

"We discussed very concrete steps how to make this fund operational during this year," Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said during a visit to Washington.