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“I was not fierce enough”: Georgian activist’s brutal confession as democracy collapses. She saw the red flags, trained the people now dismantling democracy—and stayed silent too long.

Surprise! Rosatom, that Russian “energy” giant, is actually building nukes for Putin. Ukrainian energy expert Mykhailo Gonchar explains how every Western contract with Rosatom helps bankroll Putin’s nuclear arsenal.

CIA helped forge Ukraine’s broken spy service into Mossad for Putin — now it can’t make them stop. Rebuilt from Soviet wreckage with CIA help, Ukraine’s spy agency hunts down Putin’s top allies on three continents — crossing every “red line” the White House ever feared to touch.

The West is losing faith in democracy. An Oxford historian has a plan to win it back.. Timothy Garton Ash insists his seven fixes will work. Ukraine just needs to survive long enough to see them take effect.

Putin’s “neutral” athletes cheer Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine — but FIFA can’t wait to get them back. While the Kremlin’s so-called ‘neutral’ athletes win Putin’s war medals and cheer on Russian crimes in Ukraine, the world’s top sports leagues are slowly preparing their grand comeback.

Putin’s nuclear magic trick has no rabbit — Why Russia can’t actually use captured Ukrainian reactors. Energy analyst Mykhailo Gonchar says Russia is chasing symbolism, not power—yet the seized plant lacks water, staff, and compatible systems to run.

Military

Frontline report: Ukraine torches Putin’s war factories as he rolls the dice on summer offensive. Explosives, bomb kits, and missile parts are burning as Ukraine targets Russia’s war industry at its source.

Ukraine blows up fuel depot feeding Russia’s warplanes — still burning three days later. Ukraine hit a fuel depot in Engels on 6 June. It’s still burning—satellite images show a 15-kilometer smoke plume.

“They’re coming like cockroaches”: Ukraine says Russia is lying about Dnipropetrovsk push. Russia claims it breached Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Ukraine calls it a lie — but fighting rages nearby.

After mass explosive drone assaults, Russia launches “just” 49 — Ukraine shoots down 40. Moscow probably stockpiles explosive drones for a more massive attack.

Ukraine targets Russian explosives-making Azot plant. Fuel site strikes continue with fire at bitumen plant (video). The Azot was last targeted two weeks ago. Attacks on Russian fuel facilities resumed two days ago.

Intelligence and technology

Zelenskyy says US has not answered Ukraine’s request to buy air defense. Ukraine’s President urged immediate action after another deadly wave of Russian strikes.

NYT: China, “the enemy,” targets Russian tech, territory, and scientists, leaked FSB file shows. Despite official unity, Russian counterintelligence sees China as a growing strategic threat.

International

Reuters: US expects another multi-pronged Russian strike after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone attack. Diplomatic sources say Moscow’s next move could target symbolic sites across Ukraine.

Errol Musk attends Kremlin-backed event in Moscow, praises Putin and spreads Russian propaganda. The remarks by Elon Musk’s father repeated Russian false narratives on Ukrainian biolabs and alleged oppression of Russian-speakers.

US repeats Ukraine-Russia talks mantra despite Russia’s rejection of ceasefires. In a call with the French FM, US State Secretary Rubio again brings up direct talks and diplomatic efforts to end the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Humanitarian and social impact

Budanov: Russia playing “dirty games” with dead Ukrainian soldiers as body exchange stalls. Russia says it lined up over 1,000 Ukrainian bodies for handover — but Ukraine didn’t show. Kyiv calls it a sick PR stunt.

ISW: Ukraine denies Russian claims on alleged blocking of POW and KIA body exchange. Ukrainian authorities insist that no agreement had been finalized for the exchange as of 6 June.

Russian missile killed young couple planning marriage. They lived on 8th floor —their bodies found in basement after collapse. The massive Russian attack on 6 June was retaliation for the Spiderweb drone operation on military airbases that destroyed or damaged 41 aircraft, while Russia responded targeting and killing civilians.

Read our earlier daily review here.