Exclusives
 | 5 Russian Helicopters Captured or Destroyed in Ukraine (2022–2025). |
 | Russia’s new V2U AI drone hunts Ukraine’s best weapons—so far, it is unjammable. With redundant navigation and AI targeting, Russia’s 1.2-m V2U attack drone can fly and attack without human help. |
 | “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. |
Military
Three civilians killed and nine children wounded as Russia hits residential areas in Kharkiv. Russia launched 85 drones and one missile at Ukraine on the night of 11 June, with Ukraine intercepting 49 targets.
Russia’s drones now dive-bomb from 5,000 meters, Kharkiv official warns after deadly attack. Fifteen drones struck the eastern Ukrainian city overnight using a new high-altitude dive tactic, killing four and injuring dozens.
Ukraine confirms striking Russian gunpowder plant, ammo depot, and airfield in bold drone raid. Kyiv says its drones struck Russian military sites in three regions overnight on 11 June.
Ukrainian drones strike major Russian gunpowder factory producing explosives for military. The Tambov Gunpowder Factory manufactures gunpowders for hand grenades, artillery shells, and grenade launcher ammunition.
Intelligence and technology
Defense Express: Russia’s new jet-powered Shahed drone hits Kyiv for the first time — 3X faster than earlier models. Russia’s Geran-3 — its jet-powered version of the Iranian Shahed drone — reaches speeds of up to 600 km/h.
German intelligence has evidence Moscow plans to test NATO’s Article 5 defense pact. Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, revealed intelligence showing Russia views its current war as part of a broader strategy, warning that Moscow seeks to “push NATO back to the 1990s borders” and remove American military presence from Europe.
Frontline report: Ukraine cripples Russian weapons production with strikes on microchip plants. The destruction of five key electronics plants forces Russia’s defense industry toward lower-tech alternatives, with its strategic bomber fleet facing potential collapse.
Telegram messenger’s backend tied to Russian contractor linked to FSB, investigation finds. OCCRP connects infrastructure owner to GlavNIVTS and FSB operations. Even end-to-end chats can be monitored through IP tracking.
International
Trump diplomacy’s new low: Rubio congratulates Russians on Russia Day. Polls show that 3/4 of Russians support Moscow’s ongoing colonial war in Ukraine, while Russian “opposition” often repeats the Kremlin’s talking points.
Russian military aircraft suspected of violating Finnish airspace amid border military buildup concerns. Finland’s diplomatic response includes summoning Moscow’s representative for the second time in a month, after a previous incident in late May prompted officials to deliver a formal diplomatic note.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russia gave Ukraine over 1,200 dead soldiers — first phase of 6,000-body exchange. After 2 June talks in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine began a large-scale exchange of fallen soldiers.
NYT: Russia tortures American teacher due to his nationality. He was accused of allegedly fighting for Ukraine. Former Ukrainian prisoners of war reported that 73-year-old Stephen Hubbard was subjected to beatings, forced standing, and medical neglect as punishment for his American citizenship during his three-year detention in Russia’s prison system.
Read our earlier daily review here.