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“Retaliation” headlines are a gift to the Kremlin—and a betrayal of Ukraine. Three years of systematic slaughter doesn’t become “retaliation” because Ukraine finally fought back.

“I will crawl but get him on his feet”: Devoted father doesn’t leave son’s bedside for years. Son was paralyzed defending Ukraine. From an unresponsive soldier with bilateral skull fractures who couldn’t move, speak, or recognize anyone in 2022, Vitalii Shumey has transformed into a man who now jokes with nurses, asks about his nephew, remembers the past, and lifts his head independently.

“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.

Military

Russia’s nuclear shield is cracking — and it’s Moscow pulling trigger. By using strategic bombers and dual-use missiles in its war on Ukraine, Russia has turned its nuclear delivery systems into legitimate targets — and Ukraine is hitting them with precision.

Russia loses 28,900 artillery pieces — yet still floods Sumy borders with largest number of miliatary equipment in six months. Trains packed with weapons and troops thunder toward Kursk Oblast. Ukraine braces for a brutal fight to keep its city of Sumy alive.

Ukraine’s drones sneak 940 km inside Russia to target Shahed “brain” factory. Two UAVs crash into Russia’s VNIIR-Progress plant, igniting explosions that rattle the city.

Ukraine reportedly destroys MiG-31 carrier that can launch 500 kg hypersonic Kinzhals. The aircraft carries nuclear and conventional warheads at impossible Mach 10-12 speeds.

Dozens of Russian drones target Rivne in “most extensive” regional attack, one injured. Ukraine endured a six-hour air raid alert as Russian forces launched cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and Shahed drones from multiple directions, striking targets in Rivne Oblast and damaging buildings in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.

Ukrainian drones strike Russian defense plant 1,000km from border. Ukrainian unmanned aircraft reached the Chuvash Republic, over 1,000 kilometers from the border, striking a defense contractor that supplies electronic warfare countermeasures to Russian forces.

Frontline report: Ukraine crippled Russia’s bombers. Now the crown jewel of Putin’s nuclear arsenal may be next. Russia’s nuclear submarines are over 6,000 km from Ukraine — but that might not be far enough.

Ukraine’s General Staff confirms hitting Russian drone parts factory 1,000 km from border. Ukraine struck a Russian military factory 1,000 kilometers from the border that makes drone antennas, forcing the plant to shut down operations.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine’s new ballistic missiles may have already hit battlefield, destroying Russian command posts. During the Soviet era, Ukraine was a major center for the design and production of ballistic missiles. The key enterprise was Pivdenmash, located in Dnipro.

Russia outguns NATO, producing more ammunition in three months than Alliance makes in year. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reveals a staggering arms race, urging urgent steps to bolster air and missile defenses ahead of looming threats.

Ukraine already redefined modern warfare with Operation Spiderweb — now it’s planning next revolution with new weapons. Lighter than cruise missiles, deadlier than drones.

Israeli Patriots once guarded Tel Aviv — now they’re knocking Russia’s hypersonic Kinzhals out of Ukraine’s skies. Despite past assessments, Israel quietly delivers Patriot systems to Ukraine.

Russia’s V2U drone uses AI for autonomous strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. A Chinese minicomputer and American processor enable Russia’s V2U drone to select targets autonomously using artificial intelligence, according to the Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate

Renault tapped for Ukrainian drone production near frontline. The effort aims to support Ukrainian and French armies with advanced drone systems.

International

NATO needs to increase air and missile defence by 400% – Rutte says ahead of June summit. Secretary General Mark Rutte plans to tell NATO allies they need a “quantum leap” in collective defence, including a 400% increase in air and missile systems, ahead of next month’s summit in The Hague.

ISW: Russia may exit more arms control treaties, signaling prep for potential war with NATO. Russian officials are establishing diplomatic cover for arms control treaty exits by portraying Moscow as the victim of Western aggression, despite Russia’s documented treaty violations dating to 2019.

From blacklist to spotlight: Russian opera stars return to European stages despite Ukraine war boycott. Ukrainian officials call Europe’s gradual acceptance of Russian performers a security risk as Putin-supporting artists return to prestigious venues.

Humanitarian and social impact

Multi-stage prisoner swap returns Ukrainian defenders under 25 from Russian captivity. The first Ukrainian prisoners of war under 25 years old returned from Russian captivity on 9 June as part of a complex, staged exchange process that implements agreements reached in Istanbul negotiations earlier this month.

New developments

“Why does he speak?” Ukrainian heavyweight champion Usyk calls on Trump to be responsible for his promise to end war in 24 hours. In 2024, he defeated Tyson Fury and became world champion, holding all four major belts simultaneously

Read our earlier daily review here.