Exclusives

Russia is now bombing Ukraine with dummy drones, but why?. Even defense analysts can’t explain the logic

Hungary and Slovakia expand Russian fuel use while EU cuts imports. New findings show both countries increasing reliance on oil, gas, and nuclear fuel from Russia despite available alternatives.

Russia just spent $ 3 mn to blow up planes that don’t even fly. Ukraine’s 1970s drone shotguns were so vexing that Russia decided to blow them into bits with a $3mn Iskander missile. But an epic intel failure got in the way.

North Korea’s troops, shells, missiles aided Russia in war against Ukraine, breaching UN sanctions, report confirms. Pyongyang’s shipment of arms and troops to Russia and Moscow’s return of fuel and weapons broke UN rules, according to the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team.

Military

A Russian marine base 6,000+ km from Ukraine exploded — Kyiv takes credit. Two blasts hit a Russian base near Vladivostok. Ukraine says it was their operation. Russia blames a propane-filled car.

Russian army attacks trolleybus depot in Kharkiv, Nova Poshta terminal in Odesa with drones. Russian attacks on Kharkiv and its oblast injured 10 people overnight, damaged 30 residential buildings and 19 trolleybuses

Frontline report: Baltic seabed shows growing scars from Russia’s hybrid sabotage. A sanctioned Russian-linked vessel operating under an Antiguan flag was detected maneuvering near a 600-megawatt undersea power line connecting Poland and Sweden, prompting immediate Polish military intervention.

ISW: Russia delays submitting peace terms to pressure Ukraine on timing and terms. Russian officials are withholding their peace memorandum to potentially blame Ukraine for stalling negotiations if Kyiv refuses to attend a 2 June meeting in Istanbul.

As of 30 MAY 2025, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 986080 (+1140)
• Tanks: 10865 (+1)
• APV: 22647 (+2)
• Artillery systems: 28421 (+35)
• MLRS: 1398 (+1)
• Anti-aircraft systems: 1172 (+1)
• Aircraft: 372
• Helicopters: 336
• UAV: 38070 (+71)
• Cruise missiles : 3265
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 50089 (+74)
• Special equipment: 3902 (+0)

Intelligence and technology

The Telegraph: Ukrainian drones prove most tanks are garbage – but not all are dead yet. Drones are tearing through outdated armour. The smart tanks aren’t done yet.

The Telegraph: EU eyes Black Sea spy hub to track Putin’s warships—and any glimmer of ceasefire. Europe is rolling out a new Black Sea plan with eyes on Russian ships—and any sign of peace.

Ukraine plans full production of Czech BREN 2 assault rifles. Czech sources confirm a gradual shift from simple licensed assembly to full production.

International

Erdogan makes urgent call to Zelenskyy as Istanbul braces for Russia peace talks. Ahead of the Istanbul talks, Erdogan pressed Zelenskyy to hold direct talks with Putin and Trump “without delay.”

US senators roll into Kyiv with a plan to make Russian oil 500% more expensive. Graham and Blumenthal brought a plan to drain the Kremlin’s profits with crushing tariffs—just days before peace talks begin in Istanbul.

Russia throws down ceasefire conditions – Istanbul awaits Ukraine’s reply. At the UN, Russia laid out demands ahead of Istanbul talks — Ukraine says the conditions aren’t peace terms at all.

Macron urges US to act: Sanction Russia if it blocks peace. Macron warned that US credibility is on the line if Washington does not act on Russian behavior.

Von der Leyen calls for European independence through defense spending and Ukraine membership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is enabling up to €800 billion in defense funding as part of a broader independence strategy.

Trump envoy: US open to freeze NATO expansion to help end Russia-Ukraine war. Trump’s special envoy says the US is willing to discuss NATO non-expansion as part of a peace deal with Russia, while the US, UK, France, and Germany will send security advisers to Istanbul for ceasefire talks on 2 June.

US threatens to exit peace talks over war in Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks. A top US diplomat told the UN Security Council that America’s patience with Russia’s approach to Ukraine peace talks is running thin after weekend missile attacks.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukrainian teen who saved lives in Sumy attack wins silver at European wrestling championship. After receiving head injuries during a Russian strike in April 2025, 13-year-old Kyrylo Ilyashenko resumed training and won silver in Croatia.

Political and legal developments

RFE/RL: Ukraine’s Top Court judge lives rent-free in luxury apartment her Russian niece bought – with barely any income. Judge Nadiia Stefaniv lives rent-free in a $375,000 Kyiv apartment owned by her Russian niece, who officially earned just $45,000 over eight years.

SBU detains four Kherson residents who worked for Russians during occupation. Among the detained collaborators are a former Kherson city council accountant, who helped organize Russia’s fake referendum, and two men, who voluntarily worked as guards in Russian-run prisons where resistance fighters were held.

Crowd surrounds draft office vehicle after alleged beating incident in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Oblast. About 100 residents of Kamianets-Podilskyi surrounded a draft office vehicle after witnesses said officials beat a young man and struck women with their car.

Read our earlier daily review here.