'Resilience and confident actions' — Umerov praises Ukraine's new 18-24-year-old recruits
"We saw them on the battlefield — and it's truly motivating," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Ukraine
Ukraine to seek EU sanctions against Bangladesh over Russia-stolen grain import
"It's a crime," Ukraine's ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, told Reuters. "We will share our investigation with our European Union colleagues, and we will kindly ask them to take the appropriate measures."
Russian missile strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast city kills 5, injures 23
Governor Serhii Lysak said most of the injured were hospitalized. Three of the victims are in serious condition, while the others sustained moderate injuries.
At least 2 killed, 13 wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day
According to Ukraine's Air Force, Ukrainian air defense intercepted 365 of 371 incoming Russian air weapons, including 363 Shahed-type drones, two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and six Kalibr cruise missiles.
North Korea deployed 20% of Kim's elite 'personal reserve' to fight against Ukraine in Russia, Umerov says
"These are soldiers specially selected based on physical, psychological, and other criteria," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. "These units have already suffered significant losses."
Ukraine seeks Zelensky-Putin meeting as next step in ceasefire negotiations
"After completing discussions on humanitarian issues, Ukraine plans to move forward to the topic of a leaders' summit for substantive dialogue," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said during a press briefing on June 26.
Anti-corruption agencies seek Ukrainian deputy prime minister’s suspension amid land grab case
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov was officially named a suspect on June 23 in what Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau called a "large-scale" illegal land grab case.
Chinese journalist injured by drone strike in Kursk Oblast, Russian governor says
According to acting Kursk Oblast governor Alexander Khinshtein, 63-year-old reporter Lu Yuguang from the Chinese television network Phoenix TV was wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike on the village of Korenevo.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,016,720 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 970 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Netherlands, Belgium hand over 2 minehunters to boost Ukraine’s naval defenses
The official handover ceremony took place earlier in Belgium, but was disclosed only later due to security concerns.
Russia's short-range drone strikes cause over 3,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, UN reports
Short-range drone attacks have become one of the deadliest threats to civilians in Ukraine’s front-line regions, killing at least 395 people and injuring 2,635 between February 2022 and April 2025, according to a new bulletin by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Russia offers cash to teachers to Russify occupied Ukraine, report says
Over 100 teachers have relocated to Crimea through the program, according to Ukraine’s Regional Center for Human Rights. Most of them arrived from regions including Krasnodar, Altai Krai, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Tyumen, Ivanovo, and the Republic of Udmurtia.
European companies shipping critical missile parts to Russia, Zelensky tells EU
"Some European companies are still sending critical components to Russia. These end up in missiles and other weapons used to kill us, kill Ukrainians."
EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia for 6 months
The agreement comes amid fears that Hungary, one of the bloc's most Kremlin-friendly member states, would attempt to block the sanctions extension.
Ukrainian drones strike Russian S-400 air defense system in occupied Crimea, HUR says
The attack damaged "critical and expensive components" of Russia's S-400 Triumph air defense system, including two 92N2E multifunctional control radars, two 91N6E detection radars, and an S-400 launcher, according to HUR.
Ukraine war latest: Russia's advance in Sumy Oblast 'halted'; Kyiv, Moscow carry out POW swap
Key developments on June 26: * "50,000 Russian troops pinned down" — Ukraine halts advance in Sumy Oblast, summer offensive "faltering," Syrskyi says * Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW swap under Istanbul deal * North Korea likely to send more troops to Russia by August, South Korea says * Explosions reported in Moscow, Russia
Hungary blocks EU statement backing Ukraine’s accession talks at Brussels summit
All EU states, except Hungary, said the European Council reaffirmed Ukraine's "inherent right to choose its own destiny" and support for the country's "path towards EU membership."
Ukraine to receive $46 million for repairs to Chornobyl sarcophagus after Russian strike
Ukraine will receive €42.5 million ($45.7 million) from international partners to repair the protective arch over Chornobyl's destroyed reactor, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk announced.
Trump vowed at NATO summit that Russia won’t attack alliance during his presidency, WP reports
U.S. President Donald Trump promised during the NATO summit in The Hague that Russia would never attack the alliance while he is in office, the Washington Post reported on June 26, citing three unnamed European officials.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 31
Editor’s note: This is issue 31 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from June 17–June 24, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks
Over 20,000 Russian soldiers prosecuted for refusing to fight in Ukraine, media reports
As of late May, the outlet documented 20,538 such cases since September 2022 when the Kremlin announced a first wave of mobilization, compared to 10,025 cases reported by Mediazona last June.
Putin under pressure to declare war on Ukraine, but experts say Russia isn't ready
Despite suffering over 1 million casualties, pounding Ukrainian cities nightly with missiles and drones, and committing countless war crimes, one startling fact about Russia's full-scale invasion remains — Moscow has yet to officially declare war on Ukraine. In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin described what he believed was going to
Facing manpower shortage, Ukrainian brigade turns to women in first-ever female recruitment drive
Editor’s note: This article originated as a winning story idea in a vote by members of the Kyiv Independent’s community. Join our community today and join our exclusive members-only Discord channel, where you can discuss and suggest stories, ask our journalists questions, and more. "Her strength is her
Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW swap under Istanbul deal
"Today, soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning home," President Volodymyr Zelensky said without revealing their numbers.
Erdogan says Trump ready to join Zelensky-Putin talks in Turkey
"We will hold the necessary contacts and, God willing, realize this meeting as soon as possible," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
North Korea likely to send more troops to Russia by August, South Korea says
Pyongyang has already begun recruiting soldiers for deployment to Russia, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
'50,000 Russian troops pinned down' — Ukraine halts advance in Sumy Oblast, summer offensive 'faltering,' Syrskyi says
"This year's wave of the enemy's 'summer offensive' from Russian territory is faltering," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — As NATO leaders convened in The Hague for a two-day summit on June 24–25, allies and Kyiv braced for the first annual meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office. With the Israel-Iranian conflict dominating the news and the summit agenda focused on
Orban claims 95% oppose Ukraine's EU accession in disputed Hungary referendum
The poll, promoted by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, has drawn criticism over its credibility and turnout.
Taking lessons from Ukraine war, Trump's US defense budget prioritizes drones, missiles
The budget includes increased investment in small drones, a response to their proven battlefield value in Ukraine.
Ukraine to receive 20 new Rheinmetall Ermine vehicles — here's what they can do
Rheinmetall said the deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
Meloni tells Trump US must show 'same determination' on Ukraine as with Iran
"I said the same determination is needed to achieve two other important ceasefires," Meloni said.
(Updated: )
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