Zelensky visits troops at front line (PHOTOS)

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.

2:35 PM

Russian Economy

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

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.

10:52 AM

Russia killed at least 3, injured 37 across Ukraine over past day.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched 63 drones, including Shaheds and other unmanned aerial systems, from multiple directions, including Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, and occupied Crimea.

1:43 AM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 10:34 am)

Hegseth admits Russia is ‘aggressor,’ but doesn’t say who he wants to win in Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on June 11 stood by the administration’s approach, portraying a U.S.-brokered peace deal as a sign of strength and admitting that any agreement would inevitably leave “plenty of people on both sides” dissatisfied.

9:52 AM

'Juicy target' — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics plant in Moscow Oblast.

The facility assembles circuit boards and electronics for the Russian military-industrial complex, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said.

9:29 AM

With only 2 weeks of funding left, US group tracking Russian abduction of Ukrainian children prepares to shut down.

"Right now, we are running on fumes," Nathaniel Raymond, the lab's executive director, told CNN. "As of July 1, we lay off all of our staff across Ukraine and other teams, and our work tracking the kids officially ends."

9:01 AM

German Defense Minister Pistorius arrives in Ukraine to discuss military aid.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on June 12 to meet Ukrainian leaders and discuss future defense support, DPA news agency reported.

5:08 AM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 8:51 am)

15 injured in Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, day after fatal drone bombardment.

A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv overnight on June 12 injured 15 people, including at least four children, authorities reported.

8:49 AM

Zelensky holds first meeting with Romania's new president Dan.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted a trilateral meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and newly elected Romanian President Nicusor Dan.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,000,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,140 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day. It marks the first time since the outbreak of the full-scale war that Russia's reported casualties crossed 1 million.

7:56 AM

Partisan group destroys Russian military truck in occupied Ukraine, allegedly killing soldiers, Atesh claims.

A Russian Ural military truck was destroyed, allegedly killing "several occupiers" near occupied Melitopol overnight on June 12, the pro-Ukrainian Atesh partisan group claimed.

6:51 AM

EU could impose Russian oil price cap without US support, Kallas says.

The European Union can impose an additional price cap on Russian oil without U.S. support, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said at the Brussels Forum on June 11.

4:29 AM

Russia boasts world's top nuclear force, must improve ground forces, Putin claims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems but must strengthen its ground forces.

7:46 PM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 1:26 am)

Casualties mount after Russia’s June 7 strike on Kharkiv.

Russia attacked the city of Kharkiv with KAB guided bombs the evening of June 7, killing a woman and a man and injuring at least 18 people. The total confirmed death toll stands at five as of June 11.

11:13 PM

Drapatyi ends tenure as Ground Forces chief, says he leaves with 'clear conscience'.

Mykhailo Drapatyi described the state of the Ground Forces at the time of his appointment on Nov. 29, 2024 as mired in "managerial stagnation."