Exclusives
 | “Bakhmut wasn’t the darkest”: Ukrainian medic exposes Russia’s deadlier strategy from the war’s new hell. As the world debates peace, Mykhailo Malinovskyi’s combat diary exposes the brutal truth: the Ukraine war everyone knew is over, replacing Bakhmut’s past hell with “one chance in a hundred.” |
 | Putin’s hackers had priorities: First the hookers, then maybe Ukraine — leaked chats reveal. Putin’s plan for Ukraine included tanks on the ground and hackers in the network. The tanks rolled in. The Insider reveals why the hackers didn’t. |
 | Surprisingly, Russian soldiers used scissors to down a Ukrainian fiber-optic drone — but Kyiv also knows a trick or two. The latest Russian defense against Ukraine’s best fiber-optic drones is a pair of scissors. It actually works! But there’s no way the Russians can deploy it very widely. |
 | “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. |
Military
Frontline report: Russia faces oil price collapse as OPEC+ hikes production again. With Urals crude at its lowest since 2023, Moscow’s budget faces major damage.
ISW: Russian forces advance to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border. The Russian officials are “likely setting information conditions to illegally declare Dnipropetrovsk Oblast annexed.”
Ukrainian drones target drone-producing Tatarstan in Russia. Meanwhile, Russia imposes new fines and censorship policies, aiming to prevent public access to evidence contradicting official interception claims.
Five-year window: NATO chief warns Russia could strike alliance members by 2030. Russia could launch military operations against NATO states before 2030 without fully restoring its pre-2022 force levels, the Institute for the Study of War confirmed.
Intelligence and technology
Norway transfers over twice the number of F-16s promised to Ukraine. Norway’s arms report indicates eight more aircraft than declared.
Ukrainian jamming drone downs Russian Molniya-2 without a shot (video). The method allows re-using of the interceptor against cheap mass-produced Russian drones, crucial in the ongoing drone arms race.
Ukraine’s Lyut’ Brigade deploys Spanish BMR M-600 armored vehicles. A military Telegram account revealed a rare look at new equipment in use.
US sending 20,000 Ukraine-bound anti-drone missiles to Middle East, Zelenskyy says. The transfer to Ukraine was reportedly previously approved by the Biden administration.
Half of North Korea’s first missile shipment to Russia exploded in mid-air — now they strike Ukrainian targets with deadly precision. Russia desperately needs missiles. North Korea hungers for forbidden technology.
Russia just gave North Korea the blueprint for Iran’s long-range killer drones, Ukraine’s spy chief says. Ukrainian intelligence chief Budanov confirms Pyongyang will soon make its own Shaheds with Moscow’s full backing.
International
Israel says it didn’t send Patriots to Ukraine, denying its envoy’s claim. Ambassador Brodsky claimed Israel provided Ukraine with military aid, allegedly including the Patriot air defense systems.
Peace talks or war? Russia may choose both to avoid Western sanctions. Sergey Lavrov pulled back the curtain on Russia’s twisted diplomatic strategy: keep talking and keep fighting,
EU to drop roaming fees for Ukraine and Moldova starting 2026. For the first time, the EU has opened access to “Roaming Like at Home” to non-member candidates.
Only 40% of Russian capacity under sanctions, EU must step up, Lithuania says. The Lithuanian foreign minister says the EU has more work to do on sanctioning Russia’s economy.
Ukraine says Russia ignoring ceasefire proposal, giving only ultimatums and escalating attacks. After proposing a ceasefire and humanitarian steps recently in Istanbul, Kyiv says Russia stayed silent.
Humanitarian and social impact
From hell to healing: Ukraine starts POW return under Istanbul agreement. After years in Russian captivity, Ukraine’s most gravely injured defenders are finally coming home.
Doctor’s desperate act: Breaking medical ethics to show world Russia’s torture of Ukrainian POWs. Unable to stay silent while examining the tortured body of a Ukrainian hero, he made a choice that violated patient privacy but served a higher truth.
Russia kills woman in Kyiv in one of worst air attacks on city, strikes maternity hospital in Odesa. Among Russia’s targets were three hospitals, residential houses, businesses, a former consulate, and a stadium. Two more people were killed in Odesa.
Body recovered in Kharkiv after Russia’s 7 June attack, five still missing. Rescuers continue searching the rubble of a bombed enterprise in Kyivskyi District.
Injured teen dies a week after Russian attack on Sumy. A 17-year-old boy, injured during the 3 June strike, has passed away in hospital, becoming the sixth to perish from the rocket strike, local officials say.
Read our earlier daily review here.