Ukraine returns 144 soldiers, including 95 Azovstal defenders, from Russian captivity

9:56 AM  (Updated:  June 22, 2025 8:18 pm)

Russian attacks kill 7, injure 23 in Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched two Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, an S-300 anti-aircraft missile, and 47 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, primarily targeting Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine's Air Force reported.

7:42 PM

Ukraine calls for an end to Iran’s nuclear program in wake of US strikes.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said on June 22 that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled to prevent it from threatening the Middle East or the wider world, following U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

5:35 PM  (Updated:  June 22, 2025 5:40 pm)

3 killed, 11 wounded as Russia strikes Ukrainian military training facility.

"Unfortunately, there are some dead and wounded," the statement read. The Ground Forces said that greater personnel losses were avoided thanks to the timely security measures taken when the air raid alert was issued.

5:29 PM

Russia preparing military operations in Europe, Zelensky says.

"We are observing a continued intellectual decline within the Russian leadership and have evidence that they are preparing new military operations on European territory," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

4:44 PM

Video

Iran-Israel implications for Ukraine | Ukraine This Week.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down the implications the burgeoning war in the Middle East may carry for Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as a particularly cynical act of Russian torture brought to light this month.

4:18 PM

Iran's top diplomat to meet Putin in Moscow after US air strikes on nuclear sites.

"We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said with reference to Russia.

3:52 PM

Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says.

"President Trump now has the power and opportunity to free all political prisoners in Belarus with a single word. And I ask him to do so, to say that word," Siarhei Tsikhanouski said in his first press conference after his release.

3:23 PM

Zelensky slaps new sanctions over business activities in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the sanctions are targeting "those who cooperate with the (Russian) occupier on our land," as they "help justify the aggression, consider it normal to make money in the occupation, and pay taxes" to Russia.

3:03 PM

Ukraine evacuates 176 citizens, foreigners from Israel ahead of US strikes on Iran, Zelensky says.

The foreign nationals evacuated by Ukraine included citizens of the U.S., Moldova, Latvia, Azerbaijan, and Estonia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

2:33 PM

Over 450 draft officers, staff transferred in response to reported abuses, Ukraine's military chief says.

The Ukrainian military leadership aims to overhaul the draft office system amid numerous reports of abuses since the start of Russia's invasion in 2022, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists on June 21.

2:16 PM

Amid its war against Ukraine, Russia condemns US strikes on Iran as 'violating international law.'

Moscow condemned on June 22 the recent U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them a violation of international law and Iran's sovereignty, a statement in stark contrast to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

1:14 PM

Ukraine destroys 80% of Russian drones despite air defense missile shortage, Syrskyi says.

Ukraine needs to have many times more surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft missile systems to ensure reliable defense of cities and critical infrastructure facilities, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

11:40 AM

Former Ukrainian POW dies month after being released from Russian captivity.

Serhii Dobrovolskyi, a Ukrainian soldier who had been in Russian captivity since 2023, has died just a month after his release at the end of May as part of a 1000-for-1000 prisoner swap, an official from the soldier's home region announced on June 21.

11:21 AM

Russia seeks to advance along almost entire eastern front, Ukraine holding ground in Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says.

As of mid-June, Ukrainian defenders are fighting close to 695,000 Russian troops in Ukraine across a 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) front, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

10:30 AM

Ukraine's deep strikes cost Russia over $10 billion this year, Syrskyi says.

This includes $1.3 billion in direct damage. The estimated cost-to-result ratio of Ukrainian deep strikes is 1:15, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists on June 21.

3:21 AM  (Updated:  June 22, 2025 9:25 am)

US conducts air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The United States conducted air strikes on nuclear sites in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post to Truth Social on June 21.

9:18 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,011,490 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

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

8:00 AM

Ukraine's security service is teaching teenagers how to avoid recruitment by Russian intelligence.

Ukraine's security service (SBU) is teaching teenagers how to avoid recruitment by Russian intelligence online, the New York Times (NYT) reported on June 21.

6:13 AM

'A total failure' — Hungarian opposition leader says Ukraine EU accession national poll had lowest ever turnout.

Hungary's national consultation on Ukraine's accession to the EU had the lowest ever turnout at such a poll, Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar said on June 21.

1:54 AM

Ukrainians forcibly deported by Russia held in basement without food, water, media reports.

Over 45 Ukrainians forcibly deported by Russia from Ukraine's occupied territories are being held in a basement at Russia's border with Georgia without food, water, and basic healthcare, independent media outlet Astra reported on June 21.

11:08 PM

NATO summit to sideline Ukraine, focus on flattering Trump, Politico reports.

"(Trump) has to get credit for the 5% — that's why we're having the summit," one unnamed European defense official told Politico. "Everything else is being streamlined to minimize risk."

10:18 PM

Russia has over 1,950 strategic missiles, Ukraine's military intelligence tells media.

Russia produces up to 195 missiles per month, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) told the news outlet RBC-Ukraine.

5:15 PM  (Updated:  June 21, 2025 9:02 pm)

'My husband is free' — Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed after US envoy visits Minsk.

Sergei Tikhanovsky was sentenced to 18 years in prison on politically motivated charges in 2021.

8:39 PM

'Ukrainian drones for the foot of every Russian soldier' — Zelensky responds to Putin's threat to conquer all Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has made several decisions in light of Russia's overt threats, including a diplomatic overhaul, intensified sanctions efforts, and increased funding for drone development.

8:06 PM

Ukraine planning diplomatic overhaul to win stronger global support against Russia.

"The president has already made certain personnel decisions regarding the heads of some foreign institutions, because the criterion is very simple: results," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on June 21.