Ukraine Invasion: Part 57

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 57. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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Every time Ukraine attacks the bridge, I think of this woman and feel pleased.
"We lived there, like it was our home." She did at least recognise that it wasn't her home legitimately.
Tearful Russian woman breaks down in tears as she is forced to flee Crimea after explosion | Daily Mail Online

Here's the full story from the WSJ that was referred to up thread regarding missile fuzes being diverted from Ukraine:

U.S. Is Redirecting Critical Antidrone Technology From Ukraine to U.S. Forces

These fuzes are also used in the APKWS missiles @notimagain and I have been bantering about. The USAF is testing them on F-15s as counter-drone munitions. If they were diverted to the Middle East, that means that they are needed there to protect US forces from Houthi and possibly Iranian drone attacks. Iranian proxy forces have attacked and killed US troops in the region previously. I don't think that they would have been diverted if they were not genuinely needed for US force protection reasons.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia plans to occupy (kyivindependent.com/russia-plans-to-occupy-ukraine-east-of-dnipro-cut-black-sea-access-ukrainian-official-says/) Ukraine east of Dnipro, cut Black Sea access, Ukrainian official says.
"Unfortunately, they are not speaking about peace. They are preparing for war," President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said.

⚡️ Russia plans to produce (kyivindependent.com/russia-aims-to-produce-2-million-fpv-drones-in-2025-ukrainian-intelligence-says/) 2 million FPV drones in 2025, Ukrainian intelligence says.
The ramp-up marks a critical expansion of Moscow's drone warfare program, as both Ukraine and Russia increasingly rely on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and front-line attacks.

⚡️In show of unity, US nominates (kyivindependent.com/in-show-of-unity-us-appoints-next-chief-of-natos-european-command/) next chief of NATO's European command.
U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on June 5, reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure. [@MissConductUSA is this a good choice?]

⚡️Russia bombs central Kherson (kyivindependent.com/russia-bombs-central-kherson-partially-destroys-regional-administration-building/), partially destroys regional administration building.

⚡️Damage, disruptions reported following explosion (kyivindependent.com/damage-disruptions-reported-following-explosion-on-train-tracks-in-russias-voronezh-oblast/) on train tracks in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, official claims.
An explosion on a rail line in Russia's Voronezh Oblast on June 5 caused damage to the track and disrupted train travel along the line, regional Governor Alexander Gusev claimed.

EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv's path to European integration (kyivindependent.com/eu-tariffs-on-ukrainian-goods-return-after-3-years-of-war-complicating-kyivs-path-to-european-integration/)
The European Union is set to reinstate tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports on June 6.
This is the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion that the EU will not renew an agreement suspending trade barriers between Ukraine and Europe.
The end of tariff-free trade comes amid mounting opposition to Ukrainian exports from eastern European bloc members, including Poland and Hungary.

⚡️'Time to put an end to insanity of war,' Brazil's Lula told Putin, calls for restraint (kyivindependent.com/time-to-put-an-end-to-insanity-of-war-brazils-lula-told-putin-calls-for-restraint-following-operation-spiderweb/) following Operation Spiderweb.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva reiterated calls for peace on June 5, urging Russia to restrain attacks on Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to "respond" to Operation Spiderweb.

⚡️UPDATE: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack (kyivindependent.com/fires-reported-following-russias-drone-attack-on-kyiv/) days after Operation Spiderweb.
The attack, which has already injured at least three people in Kyiv, comes one night after Vladimir Putin promised to retaliate against Ukraine for striking Russia's heavy bombers on June 1.

⚡️ Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike (kyivindependent.com/preemptive-strike-ukraine-strikes-russian-air-bases-ahead-of-russian-drone-missile-attack-general-staff-says/)' ahead of drone, missile attack, General Staff says.
Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted Engels and Dyagilevo airfields — two key hubs for Russia's long-range bomber fleet.

⚡️Update: Russia's Engels oil refinery (kyivindependent.com/explosions-rock-engels-in-russias-saratov-oblast-amid-reported-drone-attack/) ablaze after reported drone attack in Saratov Oblast.
Governor Roman Busargin claimed that a fire broke out at an unspecified "industrial enterprise" in Engels, as locals shared footage of an oil depot in flames. The Kristal Plant refinery supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.

⚡️Russian weapons plant (kyivindependent.com/russian-weapons-plant-hit-by-drones-in-tambov-oblast-media-reports/) hit by drones in Tambov Oblast, media reports attacks across country.
The JSC Progress Plant in the city of Michurinsk, which produces aviation and missile control systems, came under fire on June 6. Attacks were also reported in Russia's Saratov, Moscow, Tula, Belgorod, and Kaluga oblasts.

⚡️ Slovak parliament urges government (kyivindependent.com/slovak-parliament-urges-government-to-reject-new-russia-sanctions/) to oppose new Russia sanctions.
The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry.

⚡️ Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-russian-missile-base-in-bryansk-oblast-damages-iskander-launchers-ukrainian-military-says/), damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says.
Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike on June 5 targeting a concentration of Russian missile troops near the city of Klintsy in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported.

⚡️'Not destroyed but damaged' — Russia claims it will repair (kyivindependent.com/not-destroyed-but-damaged-russia-claims-it-will-repair-bombers-struck-in-operation-spiderweb-official-says/) bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on June 5 that Russian bombers damaged during Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb will be "restored," adding that the planes were not completely destroyed in the attack.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 4 that roughly half of the planes damaged will be impossible to repair, while others will require significant time to be put back into service.

⚡️ Trump privately praises (kyivindependent.com/trump-privately-praises-ukraines-drone-strike-on-russian-bombers-as-badass-axios-reports/) Ukraine's drone strike on Russian bombers as 'badass,' Axios reports.
While U.S. President Donald Trump has remained silent in public about the attack, he reportedly expressed enthusiasm behind closed doors.

⚡️'Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight (kyivindependent.com/sometimes-youre-better-off-letting-them-fight-trump-says-on-russia-ukraine-war/),’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war.
President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them. [talking of toddler, Mr Trump, talking of toddlers. Remember the Budapest Memorandum?]

In wartime Ukraine, a university grows — and reclaims a space once reserved for the corrupt
(kyivindependent.com/in-wartime-ukraine-a-university-grows-and-reclaims-a-space-once-reserved-for-the-corrupt/)
Once the playground of disgraced Ukrainian politicians, a golf club in Kyiv’s Soviet-era Obolon neighborhood is now set to become the new campus of the Kyiv School of Economics, which last month bought the site for $18 million as part of a $40 million investment — the largest private investment in education in Ukraine’s independent history.
KSE began in the ‘90s with one executive business degree geared toward professionals who wanted to go abroad, and has since grown to 1,500 students across 17 programs — up from 177 students and six programs before the start of the full-scale invasion. The university has quickly outgrown its current building, which it bought in 2020 for $5 million.

⚡️Update: 4 killed (kyivindependent.com/fires-reported-following-russias-drone-attack-on-kyiv/) in Kyiv as Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb.

⚡️ 5 killed, 73 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/5-killed-73-injured-in-russian-attacks-on-ukraine-over-past-day/) on Ukraine over past day.
Russia launched 407 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones, along with 44 missiles of various types, Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 52m
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — JUN 6, 2025
■ Combat engagements & casualties increased
■ Land-based equipment losses below average; elevated drone losses
■ 🇷🇺 strikes still below average; strike ratio in single digits

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Ukraine and the Japanese agency JICA have signed an agreement for $3 billion under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The funds will be repaid using revenue from frozen Russian assets. Ukraine will allocate the money to key budget needs, including economic development and defense.
In total, Ukraine has already received $14.7 billion through the ERA initiative.

💥 ENGELS: At least three tanks at the local oil refinery are on fire following a UAV strike.
The city hosts the Rosrezerv Crystal Oil Products Storage Base, which supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.

The Russian army attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones. What’s known as for now:
▫️ In Kyiv, several areas were hit. Mayor Klitschko confirmed 4 killed and 20 injured.
▫️ Rail tracks in the Kyiv region were damaged. Trains are delayed by up to 90 minutes and rerouted via Fastiv.
▫️ In Lutsk, 5 people were injured after a strike on a residential building.
▫️ In Ternopil, 6 people sought medical help. Industrial and infrastructure sites were hit.
▫️ In Lviv region, drones and missiles targeted an industrial facility in the Drohobych district. No casualties reported.

Yandex has blurred military facilities on the Moscow map
Previously visible military sites in Moscow are now hidden on Yandex Maps. Their locations can only be guessed from blurred areas on the satellite images.

NATO countries may count aid to Ukraine toward meeting the new target of raising defense spending to 5% of GDP, as many allies could struggle to reach this level.
At the same time, the Alliance stresses that support for Ukraine must not come at the expense of rearming member states.
“There is no question of choosing between helping Ukraine and building up the Allies' military capabilities. We need to do both,” a senior NATO official stated.

💔 Three State Emergency Service rescuers were killed in Kyiv while responding to the aftermath of Russian strikes, the Interior Minister reported.
They were working under fire to save others. Nine more emergency workers were injured — some critically. Doctors are fighting to save their lives.

Pope Leo XIV and Russian dictator Putin held a phone conversation, focusing on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See's press service, the discussion covered the humanitarian situation and the need to ensure aid reaches those in need.
The Pope urged Russia to make a gesture in support of peace and stressed the importance of dialogue to establish constructive contact and find a path to resolution.
They also touched on ongoing efforts to exchange prisoners.
The Kremlin, in turn, claimed that Putin thanked the Pope for his willingness to help resolve the “Ukrainian crisis” and accused Ukraine of escalating the conflict and targeting civilian infrastructure in Russia.

😡 Ternopil was hit: industrial facilities and infrastructure were damaged.
Emergency services are working at the scene. Residents are urged to keep windows tightly closed.
Part of the city is without electricity. Water pressure is reduced due to power outages, especially on upper floors. Restoration work is ongoing.

😞 A rescuer in Pryluky arrived to respond to a Shahed strike — only to find that it had hit his own home, President Zelenskyy said.
His wife, daughter, and one-year-old grandson were killed. According to Zelenskyy, this is already the 632nd child killed since the start of the full-scale war.

The Queen of the Netherlands has gifted a bell to a Czech church — made from Russian weapons used against Ukraine.
Called the “Freedom Bell,” it was cast by the Dutch royal bell foundry Royal Eijsbouts using fragments of artillery shells and other weapons fired by Russia at Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine’s 10 Most Daring Military Operations So Far https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraines-10-most-daring-military-operations-so-far-8848

❗️Russians struck the Kherson Regional Administration building for the second time in a day, this time with a rocket. The building suffered significant damage.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Massive fire erupts in Kyiv after explosions rock the city — reports say Putin’s forces targeted critical energy infrastructure.

Russian spies pose as Ukraine’s security service (www.kyivpost.com/post/54010) to trick even OAPs into sabotage missions.

What this year’s Odesa Black Sea Security Forum was all about – its chairman, Oleksii Goncharenko, tells Kyiv Post. (www.kyivpost.com/videos/54007)

Inflation has peaked, (www.kyivpost.com/post/54054) Ukraine’s central bank says — yet war and climate risks cloud the economic horizon.

Turkish Airlines and Emirates may shift some flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg's (www.kyivpost.com/post/54026) Pulkovo Airport due to frequent drone-related airspace closures, Russian media reports. Pulkovo has spare capacity after EU flight bans.

Trump: “I stand with Ukraine — I want the killing to stop.”
More key statements from the US President:
▪️“The deadline for sanctions against Russia is in my head. We’ll be very tough. It could apply to both countries.”
▪️“I’m friends with no one — not even Putin.”
▪️“Putin said: ‘We have no choice but to strike back.’ I told him: ‘Don’t do it. You shouldn’t do it.’”
▪️“If Russia crosses the line, you’ll be shocked by how tough the response will be.”
▪️“Russia and Ukraine are like two little kids fighting like crazy in a park.”

Putin’s forces launched 45 missiles and 407 drones across Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian air defense intercepted 406.
At least 4 civilians were killed and around 50 injured in the Russian assault.

“Eliminate the f**king prisoners”: (www.kyivpost.com/post/53957) another Russian commander orders execution of wounded Ukrainians.

The military impact of Ukraine’s Spiderweb operation was obvious, but the aftershocks are now being felt by Russian business (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/54002) as its authorities react to “truck-phobia”  by implementing a nationwide system of traffic stops that results in kilometer-long, hours long traffic jams.

The White House hung a joint photo of Vance and Zelensky, said Yermak, head of President Zelensky’s office.

Massive fire erupts at oil depot in Russia’s Engels after overnight drone strike. The facility fuels Russia’s strategic bombers — the same ones launching missiles at Ukraine.

‘My Modest Father Was a D-Day Hero – This Is Why He Filled Me With Pride’ — Lord Ashcroft pays tribute to his father, (www.kyivpost.com/post/54025) who stormed the beaches of Nazi-occupied Normandy on June 6, 1944, to help end WWII.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Trump says he will be “very, very tough” if it becomes clear that the war won’t end soon. This was his response to a question about whether he would impose new sanctions on Russia. [oh aye]

MERZ: Tomorrow is the D Day anniversary, when the Americans ended a war in Europe
TRUMP: That was not a pleasant day for you? This is not a great day
MERZ: This was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship

A Latvian MP was kicked out of the Saeima for speaking Russian and inappropriate behavior
Aleksejs Rosļikovs shouted from the podium that Russian speakers had also stood on the barricades alongside Latvians, declaring: “There are more of us — Russian is our language.” He topped off the rant with an obscene gesture.
Afterwards, Rosļikovs defiantly returned to his seat, but a few minutes later he was removed from the chamber for violating parliamentary rules — in the Latvian Saeima, MPs are required to speak only in the official state language.
An African Mercenary in the Russian Armed Forces: Full Interview with a Captured Senegalese Citizen
Fighters from the 12th Azov Brigade's adjacent unit — the 49th Carpathian Sich Battalion — have captured an unusual Russian soldier, who was once a student in Nizhny Novgorod but chose a very different path.
Malik Diop is a citizen of the Republic of Senegal, Africa, who signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces in hopes of earning more money. Though he was promised a position as a cook, he ended up wounded and captured on the outskirts of Toretsk.
Watch the full interview to learn about Diop’s service in the occupying forces, his account of how Russians treat Africans, and the circumstances of his capture by Ukrainian defenders.
The full video is now available here (

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on June 5 that Russian bombers damaged during Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb will be "restored," adding that the planes were not completely destroyed in the attack.
ROFL/PMSL.

You can fix a few things with black duct tape and araldite but when all you are left with is four engines and a Tu-95 shaped pile of ash then no, it won't "buff out"....

"TRUMP: That was not a pleasant day for you? This is not a great day
MERZ: This was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship"

On VE day this year, I said to my daughter that Germany should celebrate with us, as it was as much their liberation, as ours.

This may be apocryphal, but I recall that during the Vietnam War, bullet holes in the fuselage of American aircraft were repaired by ground crews with sheets of aluminum taken from beer cans and an autobody repair product called Bondo, which sounds a lot like araldite.

Can I just say, as a wheelchair user and all-round weedy person who has to solve novel logistical challenges most weeks, I LOVE working with ex-military folk.

No such word as "can't".

On the other hand "That'll buff out," and "Just a scratch" get me through a lot.

And there we have it, Russia has said the mass strikes targeting critical infrastructure were in response to Ukraine’s drone attack. Frankly given they were lobbing these kinds of attacks anyway if this is the extent of the retaliation, as horrific as it is, I’d say it was worth it.

Quite possibly some truth in that, especially if all you're doing is patching aircraft skin that isn't carrying much load.

Yes that was a very weird moment, Trump saying that wasn't a good day was either just unconscious nonsense, fumbling chit chat, OR implying that Merz just might be a Nazi, or that Germany is still sad it lost the war? Anyway weird and took Merz a minute to catch on and disagree with him.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-4-2025

Key Takeaways:

• The Kremlin is fixating on recent train derailments in Russia in order to further long-standing Kremlin narratives claiming that Ukraine is an illegitimate negotiating partner that is uninterested in peace, likely to distract the broader information space from recent Kremlin officials' statements about Russia's own disinterest in a negotiated settlement.
• Putin also used his June 4 phone call with Trump to further falsely portray Ukraine as an illegitimate negotiating partner that is uninterested in peace.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to express Ukraine's willingness to negotiate with Russia to establish a just and lasting peace.
• Ukrainian and Western officials and open-source analysts continue to clarify the battlefield damage resulting from Ukraine's "Operation Spider's Web" long-range drone strike series against Russian air bases on June 1.
• Ukrainian special services reportedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to direct drones during Operation Spider's Web.
• Ukraine’s Western allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk. Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Toretsk.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-5-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces are reportedly sustaining an average of 1,140 casualties per day and suffering disproportionately high personnel casualties for marginal, grinding territorial gains.
• The Kremlin continues efforts to falsely portray Russia as willing to engage in good-faith negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, despite Russia’s repeated refusal to offer any concessions.
• Ukraine's allies and partners continued to provide military aid to Ukraine during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the Ramstein format) on June 4 and* *5.
• Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on June 5 the launch of a new initiative for joint production of Ukrainian weapons in Ramstein states in order to supply weapons to the Ukrainian military and to increase Ramstein states' industrial capacity.
• North Korea reaffirmed its support for Russia's war effort in Ukraine during Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu's visit to North Korea on June 4.
• Russian authorities cracked down on a publication that has previously speculated about several Russian command changes.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Hulyaipole and in western Zaporizhia. Russian forces recently advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast and near Kupyansk, Lyman, and Toretsk.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-6-2025

Key Takeaways:

• A senior Ukrainian official reported that the Russian military intends to seize half of Ukraine by the end of 2026. Russian forces are highly unlikely to be able to make such large advances in such a narrow time frame, given Russia’s current offensive capabilities and assuming that the flow of Western aid to Ukraine continues.
• The Russian military command’s purported objectives for 2026 extend far beyond Russia’s formal territorial demands and aim to seize a significant part of central Ukraine and most of southern and eastern Ukraine.
• Russia’s purported military campaign plans for 2025 and 2026 are consistent with long-standing Russian territorial objectives and recent statements by pro-Kremlin voices in the information space.
• The Russian military is likely unable to achieve its purported 2026 objectives, given the significant manpower and materiel losses Russian forces have sustained over the last three years of war and the Russian forces’ inability to achieve operational maneuver on the battlefield. Putin’s theory of victory depends on the Western alliance backing Ukraine, abandoning Ukraine as a necessary condition to bring about this scale of advance
• Russian forces conducted the second-largest series of missile and drone strikes of the war overnight on June 5 to 6.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Russian military facilities, airfields, and defense industrial base (DIB) facilities overnight on June 5 to 6.
• Russia's Central Bank lowered its key interest rate for the first time since September 2022, likely prematurely due to increased Kremlin pressure to project economic stability.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Belgorod and Sumy oblasts and near Lyman and Velyka Novosilka.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Wagner Group announces withdrawal (kyivindependent.com/wagner-group-announces-withdrawal-from-mali/) from Mali.
The Wagner mercenary group announced on June 6 that it was withdrawing its presence from Mali, ending its fight with rebel groups.

⚡️Russia cuts key interest rate (kyivindependent.com/russia-cuts-key-interest-rate-for-first-time-since-2022/) for first time since 2022.
The decision reflects a decrease in inflation and mounting political pressure to ease borrowing costs amid Russia's economic slowdown.

⚡️Baltic states issue (kyivindependent.com/baltic-states-issue-joint-statement-backing-ukraines-eu-nato-membership/) statement backing Ukraine’s EU, NATO membership.
The parliamentary foreign affairs committees of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania issued a joint statement on June 6, affirming their firm support for Ukraine both in its defense against Russia and in its pursuit of EU and NATO membership.

⚡️ Moscow ready to grant (kyivindependent.com/moscow-ready-to-grant-musk-asylum-if-necessary-amid-rift-with-trump-russian-official-says/) Musk asylum if necessary amid rift with Trump, Russian official says.
"I think Musk is playing a completely different game," Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said. [I wouldn't be at ALL suprised if Musk ends up in Moscow. Not one iota]

⚡️Trump reluctant to confront China (kyivindependent.com/trump-reluctant-to-confront-china-over-support-for-russias-war-against-ukraine-bloomberg-reports/) over support for Russia's war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
Despite Trump’s current stance, the European Union has maintained public pressure on China, both through diplomatic channels and public statements.

⚡️Trump quietly pressuring Senate to weaken Russia sanctions (kyivindependent.com/trump-quietly-pressuring-senate-to-weaken-russia-sanctions-wsj-reports/), WSJ reports.
The White House reportedly asked Sen. Graham to insert waivers into the bill allowing Trump to choose which entities get sanctioned and changing the word "shall" to "may."
When asked about sanctioning Moscow during a press conference on June 5, Trump suggested he might impose sanctions on Ukraine as well as Russia if the war does not stop.

⚡️Operation Spiderweb 'gave Putin a reason to bomb the hell out of them,' Trump says, following large-scale attacks (kyivindependent.com/operation-spiderweb-gave-putin-a-reason-to-bomb-the-hell-out-of-them-trump-says-following-large-scale-attacks-on-ukrainian-cities/) on Ukrainian cities.

⚡️Ukraine hopes for Trump-Zelensky (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hopes-for-trump-zelensky-meeting-in-canada-during-g7/) meeting in Canada during G7.

⚡️ Ukrainian drone attack (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-attack-destroys-helicopter-at-russian-airfield-in-bryansk-media-says/) destroys helicopter at Russian airfield in Bryansk, media says.
The attack was part of a broader Ukrainian operation targeting multiple Russian airfields and military facilities the same evening.

⚡️UPDATE: Russia's mass strike (kyivindependent.com/fires-reported-following-russias-drone-attack-on-kyiv/)on Ukraine kills 3 first responders, Moscow calls attack 'response' to Operation Spiderweb.
The attack killed three emergency workers in Kyiv and injured dozens of civilians across the country, including cities far from the front lines in western Ukraine.

⚡️Trump offers Germany US gas deals (kyivindependent.com/trump-offers-germany-us-gas-deals-but-no-promises-on-ukraine-aid-or-russia-sanctions/), but no promises on Ukraine aid or Russia sanctions.
When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany in a press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

⚡️Russia's National Guard kills man (kyivindependent.com/russias-national-guard-kills-man-attempting-drone-attack-on-military-site-agency-claims/) attempting drone attack on military site, agency claims.
The suspect was allegedly preparing to launch a drone packed with grenades at a military facility in Russia's Ryazan Oblast. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claim.

⚡️ 'Loud night in Kyiv, Dad' — US envoy's daughter appeals (kyivindependent.com/loud-night-in-kyiv-dad-us-envoys-daughter-appeals-to-kellogg-during-russian-attack/) to Kellogg during Russian attack.
"It might be the explosions and gunfire in the dead of night, but I get the strange feeling the Russians don't want peace," Meaghan Mobbs, daughter of U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, wrote on X.

⚡️Ukrainian woman, 6-year-old daughter found murdered (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-woman-daughter-found-murdered-in-belgium/) in Belgium.
A 46-year-old Ukrainian woman and her 6-year-old daughter were found murdered on June 6 in the city of Leuven, Belgium, authorities reported.

⚡️Update: 3 killed (kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-kharkiv-kill-1-injure-13/), 19 injured in Russian attack on Kharkiv.

⚡️Update: Number of victims killed in Russia's large-scale June 6 attack rises (kyivindependent.com/fires-reported-following-russias-drone-attack-on-kyiv/) to 7.

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‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 1h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — JUN 7, 2025
■ Combat engagements & casualties remain above the 7-day average
■ Heavy equipment losses, including record drone takedowns
■ 43 missiles of 47 intercepted
■ Strike ratio remains in single digits

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russia produces in three months as much ammunition as NATO does in a year, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“This war didn’t start in 2022, but the full-scale massacre did,” he stated after a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Rutte emphasized that Russia, despite its weaker economy, outpaces NATO in ammunition production. “Their economy is 25 times smaller, yet they produce the same amount in just three months as we do in a year.”
He urged NATO countries to act now. “If we delay, we’ll be safe for the next three years, but after that, the threat will grow.”

If Ukraine had joined NATO in 2008, the current war might have been avoided, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview with Fox News.

Defense forces struck two military airfields in Russia overnight – General Staff.
In the Saratov region, several fuel and lubricant tanks were hit, causing a large fire. Emergency services failed to contain the blaze, with heavy smoke and dozens of explosions reported.
At the Dyagilevo airfield in the Ryazan region, fire damage was also confirmed. Enemy air defense systems were active in the area. A fire broke out near the target. Damage assessments are ongoing.

❗️For the first time in 20 years, Russians no longer consider the United States the most hostile country — according to a new Levada Center poll.
Germany now ranks first (55% vs. 15% in 2020), followed by the UK (49% vs. 15% in 2017) and Ukraine (43% vs. 31% in 2022). The US has dropped to fourth place (40% vs. 76% in 2024).
Other countries seen as unfriendly include Poland (37%), France (32%), Lithuania (28%), and Latvia (28%).
As for allies, Russians most often name Belarus (80%), China (64%), Kazakhstan (36%), India (32%), and North Korea (30%).
Two-thirds of respondents believe relations with the West will always be based on mistrust — the highest figure recorded to date. Still, 80% say Russia should try to improve ties with the US and other Western countries.

Russia wants to restart the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and is seeking UN support, Sky News reports.
Moscow has asked the UN to mediate with Washington on what to do with American nuclear fuel stored at the plant.
After meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev said Russia is ready to use the Westinghouse-supplied fuel or return it to the US.
He also claimed that Russia has a phased restart plan for the plant — but says it can only proceed if “all military threats” are eliminated.

DW: At European Parliament meeting, Russian “opposition” figures avoid Crimea question, criticize Radio Liberty
At a special session of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on Human Rights, members of the so-called Russian opposition — Yulia Navalnaya, Ilya Yashin, and Vladimir Kara-Murza — spoke with EU lawmakers.
The most vocal support for Ukraine came from Ilya Yashin, who said:
“If you want to help democratic Russia, please save Ukraine from Putin.”
He emphasized that ending the war means a complete withdrawal of Russian troops, calling it a defeat not for Russia, but for Putin.
Vladimir Kara-Murza criticized countries like the U.S. and Hungary for seeking to normalize relations with Moscow and warned against “collective guilt” toward Russians:
“It is unacceptable to operate with stereotypes and discriminate against people solely on the basis of citizenship,” he said.
Yulia Navalnaya, however, did not mention Ukraine. She focused on calling for EU support for exiled Russian civil society and journalists — but urged against financing Radio Liberty, describing it as “an American media corporation.” She called instead for direct EU support to independent Russian journalists.
When asked directly about Crimea’s status, none of the three answered.

Air defense neutralized 174 enemy air attack vehicles overnight — Air Force
On the night of June 7, Russia launched 215 air attack vehicles against Ukraine:
▫️ 206 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various simulator drones
▫️ 2 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
▫️ 6 Kh-59/69 guided missiles from tactical aircraft
▫️ 1 Iskander-K cruise missile
As of 09:00, air defense forces downed 174 targets:
▫️ 87 Shahed-type UAVs and other drones shot down by fire
▫️ 80 suppressed or lost due to electronic warfare
▫️ 6 Kh-59/69 guided missiles
▫️ 1 Iskander-K cruise missile
Enemy targets were hit in 10 regions; debris from downed drones and missiles fell in seven.

💔 Heartbreaking footage shows rescuers saluting a fallen colleague killed in a Russian strike.
The State Emergency Service reports 23 casualties in Kyiv — 14 of them were its own personnel.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

The White House is reconsidering its support for Ukraine (www.kyivpost.com/post/54089) after drone strikes on Russian bases. Trump was reportedly angry that Ukraine did not inform Washington in advance of the operation.

During the night of June 6, Ukrainian drones targeted Bryansk International Airport in Russia, reportedly destroying a Russian Mi-8 helicopter and damaging a Mi-35, according to Russian media.

Ukrainian long-range drone strike destroys Russian Mi-8 helicopter. (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/54100)

Kyiv Post Chief Editor Bohdan Nahaylo shares his 40+ year path: from a young boy in Wolverhampton, UK, to one of the first voices predicting the Soviet collapse — and today, leading Ukraine’s “global voice” in wartime.
He’s written for The Spectator, The Times, Wall Street Journal, worked for Amnesty International and Radio Liberty, and was even live on CNN in 1990 predicting the USSR’s fall.
His journey took him from reporting on dissidents and exposing the Holodomor to helping rebuild the Kyiv Post from scratch in 2021 — just before Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Now, with a new team of dedicated journalists, the Kyiv Post reaches millions every month, fighting disinformation and serving as a trusted source for global readers.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇸NATO is reportedly debating how to avoid provoking Trump by Zelensky’s presence at the upcoming summit in The Hague on June 24–25, according to Reuters.
The Alliance is planning to scale down the event and limit discussions about Ukraine. It remains unclear whether Russia will be officially named as a threat or whether Kyiv will be supported even in the final statement. Meanwhile, work on a new NATO strategy towards Moscow has been indefinitely postponed.
NATO has yet to confirm an invitation for President Zelensky. Sources suggest he might only be invited to a dinner hosted by the Dutch king on the eve of the summit.
If Zelensky is excluded from attending in The Hague, it would be “at the very least, a PR disaster,” one senior diplomat acknowledged anonymously.
This time, NATO leaders are not planning to convene a NATO–Ukraine Council (NUC) session. According to Reuters, a possible alternative could be a working dinner with foreign or defense ministers.

🇪🇺 The European Union may add Russia to its grey list for money laundering, which would trigger enhanced financial scrutiny, Financial Times reports.
A majority of European Parliament members support the move, though no official decision has been made yet.
Being placed on the grey list carries significant reputational damage. It would require all financial institutions in other countries to thoroughly vet transactions involving Russian companies and citizens. The list could be approved as early as next week, pending majority support in the European Parliament.
The EU’s grey list usually aligns with that of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Although Russia’s membership in FATF was suspended in 2023, it has not yet been formally placed on the grey or black list.

Russia set up a projector on the Estonia border in Narva, beaming vulgarities at an Estonian fortress over "attempts to ban the great Russian language." https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31833

[I wouldn't be at ALL suprised if Musk ends up in Moscow. Not one iota]

Is there enough room in Moscow to accommodate both his ego, and Trump's? The latter will undoubtedly end up there eventually.

Trump is 78. More likely that he'll stay where he's had huge power and adulation.

Musk is much younger and has a similar attitude to the value of human life and well being as Putin.

Also, Musk could pursue his interstellar ambition with Russia instead of NASA and partner them in the space race. He could be seduced by collaboration to build on Mars sooner. Perhaps he and Putin will go together, we can only hope.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-7-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russia baselessly accused Ukraine of failing to conduct a prisoner of war (POW) exchange and to repatriate the bodies of killed in action (KIA) soldiers on June 6 – part of the Kremlin's efforts to undermine mutually agreed upon confidence building measures with Ukraine.
• Russian officials continue efforts to deflect blame away from Russia and onto Western states for the lack of progress toward a peace settlement.
• US President Donald Trump signaled on June 6 that he could be willing to increase sanctions against Russia. Russia's economic struggles, however, have been and will continue to be driven by Russian military losses on the battlefield. Maximum US economic pressure against Russia is not possible without continued military sales to Ukraine.
• Any increased economic pressure against Russia – while a positive policy development – by itself is insufficient to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table or change Putin’s theory of victory.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Toretsk. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast and near Kupyansk, Novopavlivka, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine refutes Russia’s claims of disrupting POW exchange.

• (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-refutes-russias-claims-of-disrupting-pow-exchange/)* "If the Russian side is now backing away from what was promised in Istanbul, it raises serious questions about the reliability and capability of their negotiating team," Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on June 7.

⚡️'I am against (kyivindependent.com/i-am-against-ukraines-entry-into-the-european-union-polish-president-elect-nawrocki-says/) Ukraine's entry into the European Union,' Polish president-elect Nawrocki says.
"At the moment, I am against Ukraine's entry into the European Union," Polish President-elect Karol Nawrocki told Hungarian outlet Mandiner in an interview released on June 7.

⚡️ Russia captures village (kyivindependent.com/russia-captures-village-of-loknia-in-sumy-oblast-deepstate-reports/) of Loknia in Sumy Oblast, monitoring group says.
Located roughly 30 kilometers (some 18 miles) north of the city of Sumy, Loknia lies near the Russian border in a strategically exposed area.

⚡️ Ukrainian drone attacks (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-attacks-force-airport-shutdowns-near-moscow/) force airport shutdowns near Moscow, mayor says.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 61 Ukrainian drones were launched between the evening of June 7 and the morning of June 8.

⚡️Zelensky urges US (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-needs-urgent-us-air-defense-support-zelensky-says-following-deadly-russian-strikes/) to act on Ukraine’s request to buy air defenses after deadly Kharkiv bombing.

⚡️Canada pledges (kyivindependent.com/canada-pledges-25-5-million-in-military-aid-for-ukraine-including-armored-vehicles/) $25.5 million in military aid for Ukraine, including armored vehicles.
The country pledged to provide Ukraine with almost $22 million worth of Coyote and Bison armored vehicles, as well as new equipment and ammunition supplied by Canadian companies.

⚡️Chemical plant in Russia's Tula Oblast reportedly hit (kyivindependent.com/chemical-plant-in-russias-tula-oblast-reportedly-hit-2nd-time-in-drone-attack/) 2nd time in drone attack.
The Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk caught fire after it was reportedly targeted a second time in a drone attack overnight on June 8, independent news channel Astra reported.

⚡️Zelensky: Ukraine used (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukraine-intended-to-use-only-domestic-weapons-in-operation-spiderweb/) only domestic drones in Operation Spiderweb.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) used exclusively domestically produced drones and did not deploy any equipment from allied stockpiles in its recent attack on Russian heavy bombers, President Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC News in an interview published on June 7.

⚡️France to produce (kyivindependent.com/france-to-produce-drones-in-ukraine-lecornu-announces/) drones in Ukraine, minister says.
French automotive and defense companies will produce drones on Ukrainian soil, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on June 6, Le Monde reported.
"We are going to embark on a completely unprecedented partnership where a large French car company – I won't name it because it's up to them to announce it – will join forces with a French defense SME (small to medium-sized enterprise) to equip production lines in Ukraine to be able to produce drones," Lecornu said, as quoted by the newspaper.

⚡️'Putin is a murderer' — Zelensky rejects (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-refutes-trump-comparing-russian-war-to-children-fighting-calls-putin-murderer/) Trump's claim that Russia, Ukraine are like 'kids'.
"We are not kids with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at the playground in the park," Zelensky said, as quoted by the TV network. "He is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids."

⚡️Ukraine downs (kyivindependent.com/air-force-ukraine-downs-russian-su-35-fighter-jet/) fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Air Force says.

⚡️Russian agents who allegedly targeted Dnipro prosecutor with car bomb (kyivindependent.com/russian-agents-who-targeted-dnipro-prosecutor-with-car-bomb-detained/) detained.
Two Russian agents were arrested by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) on June 7 after allegedly planting a car bomb targeting a Dnipro prosecutor on June 6.

⚡️Russia hits Ukraine with 206 drones (kyivindependent.com/russia-hits-ukraine-with-206-drones-9-missiles-overnight-air-force-says/), 9 missiles overnight, Air Force says.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down six Kh-59/69 cruise missiles launched by Russian tactical aircraft from the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and one Iskander-K cruise missile launched from Russia’s Rostov region, according to the Air Force.

⚡️Kyiv Pride drone charity event (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-pride-drone-charity-event-takes-place-faces-counterprotest/) takes place, faces counterprotest.

⚡️Six people likely trapped (kyivindependent.com/six-people-likely-trapped-under-the-rubble-of-enterprise-hit-by-russia-in-kharkiv/) under rubble in Kharkiv after Russian attack.

⚡️Update: Russia bombs Kharkiv (kyivindependent.com/russia-bombs-kharkiv-day-after-deadly-overnight-attack-killing-1-injuring-18/) day after deadly overnight attack, killing 2, injuring 18.
One of the bombs hit the Children's Railway, a popular gathering place for families in central Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

⚡️ 12 killed, 65 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/9-killed-44-injured-in-russian-attacks-on-ukraine-over-past-day/) on Ukraine over past day.
According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russian forces launched 49 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones, along with an Onyx anti-ship missile and two X-59/69 guided air-launched missiles.