Exclusives

Ukraine’s first motorcycle unit is here—but the cost is too high. Moscow sends motorcycle troops into deadly assaults. Now Kyiv is copying the tactic—without the manpower to sustain it.

Drones rack up 70% of troop losses in the Ukraine war — and AI’s killing spree will make it worse. Russia’s war turned Ukraine into ground zero for next-gen warfare, rendering the world’s top weapons obsolete—and positioning Kyiv as the West’s only ally fast enough to match China’s breakneck innovation.

A Russian drone flew into Ukraine’s “hidden” Krab gun — and exposed a billion-dollar flaw in artillery design. A Russian drone slipped into a camouflaged dugout and destroyed a Krab howitzer. The real damage? A warning to every army still betting on heavy artillery.

Military

UK intel: North Korea sent 11,000 troops to help Russia in Kursk—over half never came back. Kim Jong-un sent troops to back Putin in Kursk. UK intel says over 6,000 didn’t return.

Ukrainian drones just hit Russian factory making Shahed UAVs—1,000+ km from the front line. Ukraine struck a drone factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, tied to the Shahed UAVs used in near-daily attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Frontline report: French Hammer bombs enable Ukraine to eliminate Russian commanders. While Ukrainian precision strikes devastate Russian leadership, Paris pledges all 1,200 bombs manufactured this year to Ukraine.

Ukrainian spies sabotage Russia’s Kaliningrad power station — cut power to military facilities. “Russian assets involved in the war against Ukraine will burn, sink and be destroyed regardless of protection level or location,” one Ukrainian intelligence source said.

Putin calls to congratulate Trump on his birthday — then launches hypersonic missiles on small Ukrainian city in one of largest attacks of war. As congratulatory words were exchanged, Kremenchuk faced its fiercest bombardment since the war began.

International

The Telegraph: US cuts Ukraine aid, Europe still figuring out what “step up” means — and Kyiv goes DIY. With aid drying up and promises unkept, Ukraine is arming itself — because no one else is.

Iran’s strike on Israel kills five Ukrainians, including children, Kyiv says. Iranian missile hits apartment building in Bat Yam amid nationwide strike that kills at least 10.

FT: Russia just hit Boeing’s office in Kyiv—after 300+ US companies in Ukraine lost staff or had offices destroyed. Boeing’s Kyiv office was hit in a Russian air assault on 9 June, adding to the toll on US firms—nearly half have seen damage, and a third have lost staff.

Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear sites drives oil prices up by $ 10 per barrel, empowering Putin’s war efforts. As tensions flare in the Middle East, soaring oil prices risk pouring billions into Russia’s coffers, prolonging the war in Ukraine.

Political and legal developments

US Flag Day post features Russian tricolor — it is believed to be an optical illusion. The image actually has white and red stripes against a blue background, which creates an illusion of a Russian flag.

Putin “very nicely” wished Trump Happy Birthday over phone. They discussed Iran-Israel, Ukraine deferred. Putin told Trump that the Israel-Iran conflict should end, prompting the US leader to respond that “his war in Ukraine should also come to an end.”

Trump holds first major military parade in decades as No Kings protests sweep nation. The Army’s 250th anniversary parade cost up to $45 million, with 60% of Americans saying the event wasted government funds.

No Kings protests: Millions oppose Trump across US on his birthday as he attends military parade. Americans in hundreds of cities united on 14 June to reject “billionaire-first politics” and what they term presidential authoritarianism, staging “No Kings” demonstrations aimed at defending democracy against what organizers called Trump’s unprecedented abuse of power.

Trump hates California because its liberalism represents everything he opposes, says expert. Meanwhile, tensions are rising as Democrats were killed in targeted attacks in Minnesota.

Read our earlier daily review here.