Exclusives

Ukraine’s jets adopt Western tactics, learn to hunt in packs. More Ukrainian air force pilots are flying and fighting in complex teams.

Bedtime stories and ballistics: How Ukraine’s children are growing up fast. Ukrainian psychologist Oksana Pisareva says kids in therapy talk about missiles, not monsters.

“They trample corpses”: Ukraine’s Muslim leader-turned-medic exposes what Russians really fight for. As Russian soldiers crawl over their own dead, Ukraine’s ex-mufti saves the lives they claim — revealing what really drives the world’s second army to raze peaceful cities.

Military

Russia captures Sumy’s Kostiantynivka village as Russians try to widen frontline in region. ISW and DeepState report mounting pressure as Moscow’s troops seize new ground in Sumy Oblast.

This is how Ukrainian drones destroy Russian bombers that attack Ukraine in surprise Spiderweb operation Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) revealed that when communication was severed, the drones continued missions using pre-programmed routes and AI algorithms before automatically activating warheads at designated targets.

Drone hits house in Russian Kursk oblast, woman injured. Russian air defense systems intercepted seven Ukrainian drones across three regions overnight, with two shot down over Kursk region, the Defense Ministry claimed.

Russian missile hits Ukrainian training ground in Poltava, servicemen wounded. A Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training facility in Poltava Oblast on 4 June left servicemen wounded, marking the second such strike on Ground Forces training units within four days.

As of 4 JUN 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: 991820 (+1020)
    • Tanks: 10884 (+3)
    • APV: 22678 (+7)
    • Artillery systems: 28711 (+88)
    • MLRS: 1402
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 1176
    • Aircraft: 413
    • Helicopters: 336
    • UAV: 38924 (+176)
    • Cruise missiles : 3271
    • Warships/boats: 28
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 50730 (+123)

Intelligence and technology

Russia ramps up Shahed production to 170 daily, eyes 190 by year-end. Russian engineers have doubled the explosive payload in Shahed drones from 50 to 90 kilograms while introducing new warhead types targeting specific objectives, according to Ukraine’s intelligence services.

UK drone deliveries to Ukraine jump from 10,000 to 100,000 in 2025. The UK government will invest a record $474 mn in drone production for Ukraine this year, scaling up from the 10,000 drones delivered in 2024 to an ambitious target of 100,000 units, the Defence Ministry announced.

International

Netherlands announces new maritime security support package for Ukraine worth $456 million. The package will consist of over 100 naval vessels, including ships, patrol boats, transport boats, interceptors, special operations vessels, and 50 maritime drones, according to Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans

Putin tells Trump in phone call he will retaliate recent Spiderweb drone operation on Russian airfields. Trump also emphasized that this was not a conversation that “will lead to immediate peace.”

US senator compares Ukrainian Spiderweb drone operation to anti-terror bin Laden killing. Richard Blumenthal believes that the recent Ukrainian surprise drone attack that hit 41 Russian aircraft could “shift momentum in Washington in favor of increasing aid for Ukraine.”

Trump envoy warns Ukrainian strikes on Russian bombers push conflict toward dangerous escalation. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine warned that recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian strategic bomber bases might push the war toward dangerous escalation

Ukraine’s diplomat slams UN for passing World’s Horse Day resolution while ignoring more pressing global issues. Serhii Kyslytsia contrasted this decision with years of resistance Ukraine faced in the UN when trying to establish a day against disinformation while fighting Russia, who remains a UN member.

US Defense Secretary skips Ukraine meeting for first time since creating it. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will miss Wednesday’s gathering of 50 defense ministers coordinating military aid for Ukraine. The absence marks the first time since 2022 that America’s top defense official has skipped the meeting the US originally created.

Frontline report: Putin knew Serbia’s weapons were in Ukraine — now he’s making it personal. Serbian ammo has been showing up in Ukraine for years. Only now, with a factory in flames, is Putin pretending to be shocked.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukraine and Russia to exchange prisoners of war this weekend — only result of Istanbul peace talks. The exchange is expected to involve 1,200 prisoners from each side.

95 Russian drones target Ukraine overnight: Kharkiv hit for 90 minutes straight. Russian forces pummeled Kharkiv with drones and missiles for 90 consecutive minutes overnight, leaving one man hospitalized and seven buildings damaged across Ukraine’s second-largest city.

Ukrainian media groups demand True Story Festival drop Russian speakers, add Ukrainian journalists. Ukrainian media organizations demanded True Story Festival organizers remove Russian speakers from the June event in Bern, citing five Russian representatives scheduled for war-related sessions while no Ukrainian journalists appear on the programme.

Other developments

ISW: Russia continues to want Ukraine’s “complete destruction.” Russian missile stockpile only grows. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev stated that Moscow’s peace negotiations in Istanbul must result in the Ukrainian government’s elimination rather than compromise.

Read our earlier daily review here