Ukraine Invasion: Part 57

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 57. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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Russian media have verified the names of more than 110,000 Russians killed in the war.
When adjusted for the male population, the highest death rates are seen in remote regions. Tyva leads by a wide margin, with 120 deaths per 10,000 men, followed by Buryatia (91) and the Republic of Altai (89).
In Tyva, one in four of the dead was a convict sent to war from a penal colony. In Buryatia, one in five was mobilized. In Altai, nearly half of the fatalities were volunteers.

This is very sad. These people are from ethnic minorities and are not ethnically Russian. I guess that’s how Russia does genocide of their own population. The fact that so many of these men come from penal colonies or volunteer is that there’s no jobs or industries in these regions to keep the population employed or otherwise engaged in meaningful activities, alcoholism is rife. Very depressing. I think a lot of these ethnic minorities are actually nomadic.

Im afraid any sympathy I had for Russian soldiers has evaporated like dew on the surface of the sun, in the light of a couple of recent stories. You Always have to ask if these stories are true but unfortunately after some conversation with someone in the international legion and what our kherson guests said, I think they probably are.

They may be there unwillingly - some of them - but they should be killed.

They are vile beyond all belief.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-31-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian officials' public statements continue to demonstrate that Russia maintains wider territorial goals in Ukraine beyond the four oblasts that Russia has illegally declared as annexed.
• The Kremlin is continuing efforts to prepare Russian society and the Russian defense industry base (DIB) for a protracted war with Ukraine and potential future war with NATO.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Vovchansk and Toretsk and in western Zaporizhia. Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman, Toretsk, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.

I don’t have sympathy for the soldiers @DucklingSwimmingInstructress any shred of sympathy I may have had at some point is long gone, after the stories my family told me back in 2014. I just despair for these ethnic peoples who are swallowed up by the Russian empire and it turned them into this.

What is more worrying is a lot of these soldiers are now buying cheap property in the occupied territories of Ukraine and you can imagine what these areas will turn into if they start moving in en masse .

⚡️Russian attacks against Ukraine kill https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-10-injure-30-over-past-day/10, injure 32 over past day.
Ukrainian defenses shot down 69 drones and three Kh-59/69 guided missiles using aviation units, air defense systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire teams.
Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak/Telegram
⚡️Ukraine orders https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-orders-mandatory-evacuation-of-11-more-villages-in-sumy-oblast-amid-russian-troop-buildup/mandatory evacuation from 11 additional villages in Sumy Oblast amid Russian troop buildup.
"(Russia) continues its terror of the borderlands, and our shared task is to save every life," Governor Oleh Hryhorov said in a statement. "I urge residents not to delay the decision to evacuate. Staying in a zone of constant danger is a direct threat to your life and health."

⚡️UK identifies https://kyivindependent.com/uk-identifies-russia-as-an-immediate-and-pressing-threat-in-new-defense-review-the-guardian-reports/Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports.
Alongside Russia, the review identifies China as a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," noting Beijing's growing ties with Moscow and its role in supplying critical components for Russian weapons systems.

⚡️NATO officials reject https://kyivindependent.com/nato-officials-reject-russian-demand-to-halt-expansion-say-no-talks-underway-media-reports/ Russian demand to halt expansion, media reports.
According to NATO sources cited by Radio Liberty, the written pledge Moscow demands is unrealistic. "It’s not something they (Russia) can just get," one diplomat said.

⚡️Russia steps up https://kyivindependent.com/russian-forces-intensify-offensive-in-zaporizhzhia-region-ukrainian-commander-says/offensives in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy oblasts, Syrskyi says.
While Russia's main efforts remain concentrated on the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman fronts in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast bordering Russia, Zaporizhzhia has seen an uptick in escalation, Syrskyi noted.

As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraine's Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensive https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-braces-for-potential-russian-offensive-into-sumy-oblast-but-uncertainty-remains/
(https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-braces-for-potential-russian-offensive-into-sumy-oblast-but-uncertainty-remains/)Reports
of an imminent Russian summer offensive and troop build ups on Ukraine's border
are raising alarms in Sumy Oblast and fears that a large-scale assault could be
on the horizon.
Photo: Yehor Kryvoruchko/Kordon.Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

⚡️ European leaders shift https://kyivindependent.com/france-and-britain-shift-focus-to-defending-ukraine-without-us-support-the-telegraph-reports/focus to defending Ukraine without US support, the Telegraph reports.
According to the Telegraph, senior European diplomats meeting in The Hague agreed to shift their focus from deploying troops to enforce a ceasefire to preparing long-term strategies for supporting Ukraine without American backing.

OPEC+ extends oil output https://kyivindependent.com/opec-extends-oil-output-surge-despite-russian-pushback-bloomberg-reports/surge despite Russian pushback, Bloomberg reports.
OPEC+ will boost oil production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, marking the third consecutive monthly increase and reinforcing a major strategic shift that has driven crude prices to a four-year low.

Ukraine's enduring cyber defense: Assessing resilience and impact of shifting international support https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-enduring-cyber-defenses-assessing-resilience-and-the-impact-of-shifting-international-support/
"The situation in Ukraine's cyber domain is not merely a theoretical exercise in network security; it directly impacts national sovereignty and societal resilience," writes Christopher Burgess, cybersecurity and intelligence expert, in his op-ed.
Photo: Valentyna Polishchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Western hesitation continues to undermine Ukraine
https://kyivindependent.com/western-hesitation-continues-to-undermine-ukraine/"In a war, it’s not just about how much support is given, but how quickly it comes," writes Uria Fancelli, political commentator for CNN Portugal, in this op-ed.
"Delays in key decisions don’t just slow progress — they quietly erode Ukraine’s position on the ground."
"Russia, unlike its Western counterparts, has shown no hesitation when it comes to speed — whether in advancing troops or manipulating diplomacy."
Photo: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

⚡️Pompeo urges Trump not to legitimize Russia’s land grabs https://kyivindependent.com/pompeo-calls-on-trump-to-not-legitimize-russias-land-grabs-in-ukraine/in Ukraine.
Former U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo acknowledged frustrations over the current front lines but cautioned against ceding Ukrainian land to Russia.
"I get the frustration … I’m not naive about what’s physically possible in this moment, but that doesn’t mean one should go and say, 'and we are giving up for all time,'" he said in Odesa on May 31.

⚡️Russia-linked disinfo campaign stokes anti-Ukrainian sentiment https://kyivindependent.com/russia-aligned-disinformation-campaign-targets-ukrainians-in-poland-ahead-of-june-1-presidential-runoff-investigation-finds/in Poland before June 1 vote, investigation finds.
Russia-aligned actors are amplifying anti-Ukrainian sentiment through coordinated campaigns across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, and Telegram, according to a new investigation by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

⚡️No clarity on Russia’s agenda https://kyivindependent.com/no-clarity-on-russias-agenda-ahead-of-ukraine-peace-talks-zelensky-says/ahead of Ukraine peace talks, Zelensky says.
Ukraine and its partners are still waiting to see what, if anything, Russia plans to present at the upcoming peace talks in Turkey scheduled for June 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

⚡️4 killed, 44 injured in passenger train derailment https://kyivindependent.com/4-killed-44-injured-in-train-derailment-in-russias-bryansk-oblast-following-bridge-collapse-officials-claim/in Russia's Bryansk Oblast following bridge collapse, officials claim.
At least 4 people are dead and another 44 injured after a train derailed in Russia's Bryansk Oblast overnight on May 31, following the collapse of an overhead road bridge, Russian officials said.

⚡️'Serious setback' for democracy — EU condemns Russia-style foreign agents law in Georgiahttps://kyivindependent.com/serious-setback-for-democracy-eu-condemns-russia-style-foreign-agents-law-in-georgia/.
The EU condemned Georgia's foreign agents law and called on authorities to reverse the country's democratic backsliding in a statement published on May 31.

⚡️Explosions reported in Kyiv.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv around 1:45 a.m. local time, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground. https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/45534
Ukraine's Air Force warned of the threat of Russian missile strikes on the capital.

Update: At least 7 killedhttps://kyivindependent.com/4-killed-44-injured-in-train-derailment-in-russias-bryansk-oblast-following-bridge-collapse-officials-claim/, 33 injured in train derailment in Russia's Bryansk Oblast following bridge collapse, official says.
Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz clarified that at least seven people are dead and another 33 injured after a passenger train derailed in Russia's Bryansk Oblast overnight on May 31, following the collapse of an overhead road bridge.

⚡️Explosions heard again in Kyiv. https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/45536
Multiple explosions were heard again in Kyiv around 2:15 a.m. local time, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist.
Ukraine's Air Force has warned of approaching Russian drones towards the capital.

Update: At least 7 killedhttps://kyivindependent.com/4-killed-44-injured-in-train-derailment-in-russias-bryansk-oblast-following-bridge-collapse-officials-claim/, 35 injured in train derailment in Russia's Bryansk Oblast following bridge collapse.
A total of 35 people, including two children, have been injured in an overnight train derailment in Bryansk Oblast, following an overhead bridge collapse, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported.

⚡️Using Russian assets https://kyivindependent.com/using-russian-assets-for-ukraine-aid-needs-closer-look-german-official-says/for Ukraine aid needs 'closer look,' German official says.
Top German official Thorsten Frei said in an interview with German media on May 31 that the EU should reconsider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, urging a tougher stance against the Kremlin.

⚡️Update: 7 killed, 69 injured in train derailment https://kyivindependent.com/4-killed-44-injured-in-train-derailment-in-russias-bryansk-oblast-following-bridge-collapse-officials-claim/ in Russia's Bryansk Oblast following bridge collapse.
The number of injured in an overnight train derailment, stemming from an overhead bridge collapse in Bryansk Oblast, has risen to 69, regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage https://kyivindependent.com/pro-ukraine-partisans-sabotage-railway-in-russia-occupied-donetsk-oblast-group-claims/railway in Russia-occupied Donetsk Oblast, group claims.
The Atesh partisan group allegedly sabotaged the recently-constructed Volnovakha-Mariupol railway in occupied Donetsk Oblast, disrupting Russian logistics, the group claimed in a Telegram post on June 1.

⚡️Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-zaporizhzhia-oblast-injure-3-damage-critical-infrastructure/Oblast injure 3 people, damage critical infrastructure.
Russia launched a series of attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on May 31-June 1, injuring 3 people and damaging homes and critical infrastructure, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

⚡️Update: Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-zaporizhzhia-oblast-injure-7-damage-critical-infrastructure/Oblast injure 7 people, damage critical infrastructure.
A total of 7 people have been injured as a result of Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on May 31-June 1, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of June 1, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/45544

United24media

Ukraine Downs 69 Drones, Three Missiles Overnight — Air Forcehttps://t.me/United24media/32051
Ukraine’s Air Force said on Friday that 69 drones and three air-launched missiles were shot down over the country during the night of May 31.

Putin’s Claimed Drone Encounter in Kursk Was Staged — The Moscow Timeshttps://t.me/United24media/32052
A recent claim by Russia’s Defence Ministry that President Vladimir Putin was “at the epicentre of a drone attack” during a visit to the Kursk region was a staged event, The Moscow Times reported on Friday.
The incident, presented by state media as a risky encounter with Ukrainian drones, was part of a coordinated media effort rather than an actual combat situation, the outlet said.
According to the report, the scene was orchestrated by security services to portray Putin as sharing the risks faced by ordinary Russians amid continued drone attacks, airport disruptions, and mobile network outages.
The Kremlin has not commented on the allegations.

U.S. to Begin Mass Production of Upgraded Nuclear Bombs in 2025 — NNSAhttps://t.me/United24media/32053
The United States will start mass production of its upgraded B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb in July 2025, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said.
The bomb, which has an estimated yield of up to 360 kilotons, is designed for deployment on strategic aircraft. Production is expected to be completed by 2027.
Each unit is estimated to cost around $30 million. According to the NNSA, experts from six of its facilities are working to enhance the warhead’s capabilities, while final assembly is being carried out at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

UK Security Review Warns of Rising Threat From Russia, Labels China a ‘Persistent Challenger’ https://t.me/United24media/32054
Britain has prepared a 130-page security review outlining what it calls the “imminent and pressing danger” posed by Russia, British media reported on Friday.
The document also addresses China, describing it not as an enemy but as a “sophisticated and persistent challenger” that at times cooperates with Moscow. Iran and North Korea are named as two additional “regional disruptors.”
The review presents what officials describe as the most serious military and security threat environment since the end of the Cold War. However, it stops short of stating that Russian cyber and subversive activities mean the UK is drifting toward open conflict.
The review is also expected to raise concerns over the size of the British Army, amid ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury about whether to commit to expanding the planned force of 73,000 troops.

Ukrainian Intelligence Warns of Kremlin Plans to Tighten Control With Digital Ruble https://t.me/United24media/32055
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) said on Friday that Russia’s rollout of a digital ruble represents “another step by the criminal regime in Moscow to tighten total control over its own population.”
According to the HUR, the digital currency will allow Russian authorities to monitor all transactions and potentially restrict spending based on a citizen’s place of residence or type of purchase.
Intelligence analysts also believe the Kremlin will be able to block individual accounts and deduct taxes or fines automatically, without court approval.

NATO, Russia to Hold Simultaneous Baltic Sea Drills, Raising Risk of Incidents — Bild https://t.me/United24media/32056
NATO and Russia are set to conduct parallel military exercises in the Baltic Sea next week, prompting warnings from experts about a heightened risk of provocations, Bild reported on Friday.
NATO’s annual Baltops exercise is scheduled to begin in early June as usual, while Russia has moved up its own naval drills by a month, deploying around 20 warships.
The simultaneous maneuvers raise the likelihood of close encounters between vessels and potential incidents, military analysts said.

Svitolina Sets Clay-Court Win Record for 2025 Season, Advances at Roland Garros https://t.me/United24media/32057
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina set a record for the most clay-court victories on the WTA Tour in the 2025 season, surpassing the world’s top two players.
Svitolina defeated American Bernarda Pera to reach the fourth round of Roland Garros. The win marked her 15th on clay this year at WTA tournament level, placing her at the top of the season’s clay-court victory rankings.

U.S. Senator Blumenthal Visits Kyiv Missile Strike Site, Condemns Russian Attacks on Civilians https://t.me/United24media/32058
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a co-author of legislation to strengthen sanctions against Russia, visited the site of a Russian missile strike that killed a 17-year-old boy and his parents in Kyiv’s Svyatoshynskyi district, Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Friday.
Blumenthal was accompanied by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Ukraine Julie Davis. According to Klymenko, the senator was shown footage of the rescue operation following the April 24 strike and expressed outrage over Russia’s continued attacks on civilians.
“The shelling is yet another example of Russia’s terrorist tactics, which daily endanger civilian lives,” Klymenko said.
He also thanked the U.S. for providing equipment to document and respond to Russian war crimes, including 3D scanners, UAV countermeasure vehicles, explosive ordnance disposal robots, mobile X-ray scanners, and demining systems.
The April 24 attack killed Danylo Khudya, a 17-year-old student at Kyiv Aviation Vocational College, along with his parents. Friends of the teenager had waited outside the destroyed building through the night in hopes of finding them alive.

OPEC+ Agrees to Raise Oil Output in July Despite Russian Opposition — Bloomberg https://t.me/United24media/32061
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, marking the third consecutive monthly hike, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The move comes despite opposition from Russia. Saudi Arabia, a leading member of the group, is reportedly pushing to penalize quota violators and recover market share lost to U.S. and other non-OPEC producers.
The planned increase could ease pressure on consumers amid rising seasonal demand, though analysts warn that excess supply may lead to a drop in global oil prices.
Russia and Saudi Arabia, which hold differing views on output policy, are expected to meet again on July 6 to decide on production targets for August.

Training firing by the 61st Separate Mechanized Brigade with RPG-27 “Tavolga” and RPG-30 “Kryuk”. https://t.me/United24media/32063
Ukrainian soldiers practiced using anti-tank grenade launchers in combat conditions. The RPG-30, developed in Russia to counter tanks equipped with active protection systems (KAZ), was among the weapons used.

An anti-aircraft artillery platoon of the 132nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine performs combat missions under the cover of night. https://t.me/United24media/32069
Mobile fire groups are tasked with protecting the airspace from enemy drones near the front line, over Ukrainian positions, and in nearby settlements.
Operators of this unit have repeatedly and successfully destroyed enemy aerial targets.
During the night, one crew alone shot down two Shahed drones. The video shows the real work of the servicemen responsible for ensuring safety in the sky.

liveukraine_media

😱Donald Trump has once again voiced his disappointment in Vladimir Putin, stating that he was “surprised” by Russia’s ongoing strikes against Ukraine.https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31615

🇺🇸The United States may push Ukraine to participate in the upcoming June 2 negotiations with Russia, according to The Washington Post. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31618
Kyiv insists that Moscow submit a memorandum outlining its terms for peace before the talks begin. However, Russia is unlikely to do so — putting Ukraine in a disadvantaged position.
President Donald Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with delays in the negotiation process, and U.S. officials have at times threatened to withdraw from talks altogether — a scenario that could ultimately benefit Russia.
The paper notes that Ukraine has limited room to maneuver due to its reliance on U.S. military and intelligence support. Nevertheless, Kyiv is unwilling to enter discussions based solely on Russia’s previously proposed terms, which it deems unacceptable.

❗️Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 69 out of 109 Russian drones launched overnight, as well as all three Kh-59/69 guided air-to-surface missiles. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31619
In addition, Russia launched two S-300 surface-to-air guided missiles. The primary targets were regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Donetsk.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported confirmed strikes by Russian aerial weapons at 13 locations.

Drones struck the towns of Rylsk and Lgov in Russia’s Kursk region overnight. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31620
According to some OSINT sources, the targets were locations where Russian troops were stationed.

Donald Trump has said he is not yet sure whether he will back a new U.S. sanctions bill targeting Russia. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31622
The bipartisan legislation, introduced last month by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, proposes imposing 500% tariffs on goods imported from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and other energy resources.
“I don’t know. I need to see it. We’ll take a look,” Trump told reporters.
Earlier, Senator Graham stated that the U.S. Senate could begin reviewing the bill as early as next week, following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The bill must be passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by the president.

On the morning of May 31, Russian forces attacked the Kharkiv region using guided aerial bombs (KABs), leaving seven people injured. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31623
In the settlements of Vasyshcheve and Bezliudivka, residential and administrative buildings were damaged, and fires broke out on the premises of a local enterprise.

🇺🇦Ukraine’s national esports team will boycott the 2025 IESF World Esports Championship in several disciplines in protest against Belarus being allowed to compete under its national flag https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31624
Ukraine has declined to participate in three of the tournament’s competitions, while still taking part in the Counter-Strike 2 event — where the Belarusian team failed to qualify.
The Ukrainian Esports Federation had urged the International Esports Federation to require athletes from countries involved in armed aggression against Ukraine to compete under a neutral flag. No compromise was reached.
▪️For the same reason, Ukraine is also boycotting the 2025 Judo World Championships.

An explosion occurred near a supermarket in Zhytomyr on the evening of May 30, injuring six people. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31625
According to preliminary reports, an unidentified man threw a grenade into a group of people and fled the scene.
Law enforcement is currently investigating the incident and searching for those involved in the attack.

🇩🇪Next week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first official visit to the United States. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31629
He is expected to meet with President Donald Trump on June 5 to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and trade policy.
However, following Trump’s recent public confrontations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, some German officials are reportedly concerned that Merz could face similar treatment.

In the village of Petropavlivka, located in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson region, Ukrainian drones disabled communications and brought Russian military transport to a halt. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31630

“As of this moment, there is no clear information on what exactly the Russians are bringing to Istanbul [on June 2],” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31641
“We don’t know, Turkey doesn’t know, the United States doesn’t know — nor do our other partners. And so far, this doesn’t look very serious.”

A New Zealand volunteer, Sean Le Kerns, has been killed in the war in Ukraine. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31642
The 26-year-old man was not on the front lines, but he helped evacuate wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

If we don’t stop Russia — we confirm that force rules the world https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31645
Kaja Kallas issued a blunt warning to Europe: the war has been going on for over three years, and defending Ukraine isn’t just about solidarity — it’s about сommon security.
“If we don’t, all we do is validate the claim that you can simply take your neighbor’s territory by force. If we don’t defend the law, we legitimize aggression,” she said.
Subtitles: NEXTA

Russia Launches Massive Overnight Strikes Across Ukraine — Damage and Casualties Reported https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31646
📍 Kyiv Region was heavily attacked overnight with drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles. Air defense systems were active. In the Bila Tserkva district, 10 houses were damaged.
📍 Odesa Region also came under attack. Russian forces targeted the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district with strike drones, damaging private homes and a recreational facility.
📍 Zaporizhzhia was hit early in the morning in a combined assault involving Shahed drones and a missile. Three people were injured.
📍 Kharkiv Region saw heavy shelling overnight, particularly in the Izium, Lozova, and Kupiansk districts. One woman was injured, and damage was reported to houses, a dormitory, a café, and administrative buildings.

On June 1, 1996, exactly 29 years ago, Ukraine transferred its final nuclear and strategic weapons to Russia. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31651
With the handover of the last nuclear missiles, Ukraine officially ceased to be a nuclear state the following day.
As of 1991, Ukraine possessed the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal. But in 1994, it gave up all of it in exchange for security guarantees under the Budapest Memorandum.

Poland is heading to the polls to elect its next president, with voters choosing between two sharply contrasting candidates: pro-European liberal Rafał Trzaskowski and conservative nationalist Karol Nawrocki. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31652
Trzaskowski, a two-time mayor of Warsaw, advocates for progressive policies — including support for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s access to abortion. In contrast, Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance, has emphasized his Catholic values, spoken out against migration, and criticized EU climate initiatives.
▪️Trzaskowski supports Ukraine’s accession to both the EU and NATO, while Nawrocki opposes it.

Dmytro Polovych, a 20-year-old from Mykolaiv living with cerebral palsy, amazed spectators at a recent competition by lifting a 100 kg barbell — nearly double his body weight of just 51.4 kg. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/31643
Ukrainian athlete Anna Kurkurina shared a video of his remarkable achievement.

Kyivpost_official

Ukraine’s peace plan includes a full ceasefirehttps://www.kyivpost.com/post/53671– land, sea, air – with international monitoring. But Russia is refusing to show its hand ahead of Monday’s Istanbul talks. Kyiv fears a diplomatic ambush.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he gave Putin “two weeks.” Those two weeks are long over — and still, nothing has changed. Meanwhile, Ukraine endures wave after wave of Russian terror. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/29879

Russia has earned over €883 billion from fossil fuel exports since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine — BBC https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/29880
That’s more than three times the total aid Ukraine has received from its allies and partners.

Is Russia nearing a Putin-free era? https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/29881
As Putin’s regime teeters, Jonathan Fink, reveals how the change of power might happen, why we should not fear, and what the West should brace for. A Putin-Free World could be nearer than we think.

Washington lawyers and lobbyists are helping https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53682 from the Russian defence behemoth, Rostec, challenge US sanctions.

Japan just handed Ukraine a $3 billion loan —https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53684 backed by frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is fuming, calling it “complicity in theft.”

As the Senate moves forward with a bipartisan bill to tighten sanctions on Russia, https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53697 Trump 🤡 says he’s not sure if he supports it.

Russia launches https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53706 114 drones and missiles across Ukraine just ahead of planned peace talks.
Lord Ashcroft highlights Odesa’s strategic role in Ukraine’s defense https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53680 and global food security and how Ukraine’s naval innovation is beating Russia in the Black Sea.
Mass shootings, looting, and partisan resistance: How Russia occupied eastern Ukraine in 2014. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/29887
A Kyiv Post exclusive interview with a saboteur, demolitionist, and Hero of Ukraine.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53519

Over 900 drones. 100 missiles. Many civilians dead. This week marked one of the most intense bombardments since the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/29888
Watch Kyiv Post’s summary for full details.

$2bn worth of damage caused by the drone attack over Russia today against the airforce. Looks to be a pretty significant operation.

I was just reading this on Twitter, they attacked airfields as far away as Siberia. It looks like they loaded drones on to lorries when the last drone was launched the lorries self destructed. They appear to have targeted long range bombers, that Russia no longer manufacture

Breaking news on BBC

More than 40 Russian bomber aircraft hit in drone attack, Ukraine security service says
Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent
Ukraine claims to have hit more than 40 Russian bombers, in what appears to be one of the most audacious attacks so far on Russian aviation.
According to a statement from Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, “enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia”.
It says Ukraine is conducting “a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.” It says more than 40 aircraft have been hit.
It has released dramatic video which it says shows a drone attack at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk oblast, in Siberia. Bombers are under attack, with explosions visible and smoke rising.
Reports suggest other aircraft have been attacked at the Olenya airbase, near Murmansk. Russian media is reporting the attack in Murmansk but says air defences are working. The attack in Irkutsk is also being reported.

And IIRC, it comes just days after some nations lifted long range restrictions?

Any bomber destroyed is one less able to bomb Ukrainian civilians

Reports on Twitter,unconfirmed, that they have hit a cruiser at Severomorsk,

https://x.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1929157735070720095 link to video

In this case that doesn’t seem relevant, they appear to have used drones which are largely manufactured inside of Ukraine, not western made missiles.

The day before talks in Istanbul too!

Ah that is brilliant that they've hit so many bombers!

What do we think the actual practical impact of this will be?

Eastern Ukraine to Irkutsk area has to be about 2500 nautical miles (so roughly equivalent to London- Nova Scotia) and there's some fairly chunky terrain along the way.

To fly multiple UAVs that far and hit discrete targets is impressive but I do wonder what we are not being told.

Well this news makes me happy.

Reports seem to say they were launched from inside Russia, smuggled on lorries that then were destroyed.

They weren't flown that far, they were smuggled into Russia, the containers were smuggled into Russia. They were out into the top of the containers and loaded onto trucks and driven across Russia. Then the tops of the containers were lifted and the drones were flown by operators in Ukraine. When the last.one was launched the containers self destructed

Ah, interesting..

Given the distances that's one hell of a drive if they travelled eastbound and getting that far by road un detected doesn't say much for Russia's internal security....(umm, thinking about it and knowing that part of the world from airline overflights I wonder where they entered Russia)
...

Would you forgive me for still feeling we are not quite getting the full story...and that's how it should be.

Obvious question I suppose is what will a Russian response look like? Although they’re already indiscriminately lobbing missiles and drones at civilians so not sure much else is ‘needed’