Ukraine Invasion: Part 61

[MagicFox]

Welcome to thread 61 with many thanks to all So many thanks to all contributors and a special salute to those providing daily updates. For the 61st time, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

**
Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events
B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content
C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful
D. Please keep on topic

😁

Serhiy is very talented.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-23-2026/

Key Takeaways

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Kremlin officials are reiterating Russia’s commitment to its original war aims of complete Ukrainian capitulation as Ukraine, the United States, and Europe appear ready to restart negotiations to end the war.
2. Putin continues to rely on a negotiating tactic that aims to falsely portray the Russian military as on the verge of collapsing Ukrainian defenses.
3. The Kremlin is conducting a cognitive warfare campaign to frame potential Ukrainian strikes against legitimate Belarusian targets that support Russian military operations as a Ukrainian escalation against Belarus and the Union State.
4. Signal repeaters on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border enable Russian forces to conduct precision drone strikes against the Ukrainian deep-rear and therefore would represent a legitimate military target for potential Ukrainian strikes.
5. Belarus has materially supported Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2022 and is effectively a cobelligerent with Russia.
6. The Kremlin may attempt to invoke the Union State collective security treaty in an attempt to draw Belarus into the war so that Russia can leverage Belarusian manpower and training resources.
7. Russian gains in Kostyantynivka remain limited to small group infiltrations that are not resulting in consolidated territorial control.
8. Kremlin officials acknowledged Ukraine’s escalating long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure but downplayed their country-wide impact on fuel supplies.
9. The Kremlin continues threatening retaliatory strikes against Ukraine, likely to project strength amid growing domestic gasoline supply shortages.
10. Ukrainian forces regained some positions in Kostyantynivka.
11. Russian forces launched 135 drones against Ukraine overnight.

I saw in the paper earlier that Putin is now asking for peace talks. Is this new or just the same old same old?

it's ... new actually

Roundup going to be very late today sorry.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Following speculation over Zelensky’s attendance, Ukraine’s prime minister confirms she will lead delegation at recovery conference in Poland.

⚡️Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov claims readiness for new peace talks at 'any time'.

⚡️Ukraine destroys key logistics bridge in Crimea, hits over 60 Russian military targets overnight.
A railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure across occupied Crimea were struck in a large-scale overnight Ukrainian operation, Ukrainian military officials said on June 23.

⚡️ South Korea to accept all North Korean POWs from Ukraine at their request, ministry says.
The ministry said it opposes any forced transfer of North Korean POWs to Russia or North Korea and has communicated this position to Ukrainian authorities.

⚡️ Russia has illegally shipped nearly 90,000 tons of wheat through occupied Mariupol port in 2026, Ukraine says.
Twelve vessels transported wheat through the Russian-occupied port of Mariupol over the past five months, according to the statement.

⚡️At least 26 noncombat deaths, alleged abuse reported in Skelia assault regiment, Ukrainian media investigation finds.
The deaths, which occurred shortly after mobilization and training, have prompted allegations from relatives and former servicemen of inadequate medical care and, in some cases, physical abuse within the unit.

⚡️Russia redeploys air defenses to Moscow, Kerch Bridge as Ukrainian strikes intensify, military intelligence says.

⚡️Belarus halts equipment used to guide Russian strikes, Zelensky says, after Ukraine's ultimatum.
The development comes days after Zelensky issued an ultimatum to Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko, giving Minsk one week to remove the equipment or face unspecified action by Ukraine.

⚡️Fact check: Russian disinformation takes aim at Poland-Ukraine rift.
A Russian-linked disinformation operation seeks to fan Polish-Ukrainian tensions amid the latest rift over historical grievances, a monitoring group told the Kyiv Independent on June 23.

⚡️Russia working to stop Ukraine's EU accession, report finds.
Russia "seek(s) to exploit fears related to corruption, security, identity, and economic costs" through online disinformation campaigns, according to a report published by Ukraine and the EU.

Polish PM Tusk caught between Kyiv and Warsaw as Ukraine rift deepens
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is in a tough spot. The liberal pro-EU, pro-Ukraine prime minister is looking at a country increasingly at odds with both.

⚡️ Russia accuses US of anti-Russian shift, says bilateral dialogue has stalled.
“This is a departure from where the Trump administration started its dialogue with us,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

⚡️Moscow Oil Refinery unlikely to resume operations this year, Reuters reports.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, repairs at the refinery are expected to take at least six months, potentially keeping the facility offline through the end of 2026.

⚡️Regions across Russia impose gasoline sales restrictions as Ukrainian strikes deepen fuel crisis.
At least 15 Russian regions introduced restrictions on fuel sales on June 23, according to reports from various local officials and media outlets.

⚡️Update: SBU, special forces confirm strikes on Crimea airfields, Russian helium plant.
Ukraine struck Russian air defense systems and military airfield infrastructure in occupied Crimea, alongside strategic industrial facilities in Russia’s Orenburg Oblast, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Special Operations Forces (SSO) announced on June 24.

⚡️UK announces $380 million Ukraine support package ahead of key recovery conference.

⚡️Ukraine eliminates Russian unmanned boats powered by Starlink, official says.
Russia attempted to attack Ukraine's southwestern coast the morning of June 23, launching multiple unmanned surface vessels in the Black Sea, Defense Ministry Advisor Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov reported.

⚡️Putin comments on Ukrainian strikes for first time since attacks on Moscow.

Ex-Ukrainian ambassador to Poland: President Nawrocki disregards decades of reconciliation between Warsaw and Kyiv

⚡️Ukraine detains suspected intermediary in alleged Russian-backed plot to assassinate military intelligence official.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the newly identified suspect, a 34-year-old former serviceman, acted as a middleman between the organizers and the suspected hitman.

The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Hodunova speaks with Vasyl Korenovskyi, CEO of RoverTech, a Ukrainian defense technology company that develops unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). He explains how a simple demining machine evolved into a growing family of ground robotic systems now used on the battlefield.

⚡️Ukraine brings back 42 children from Russian-occupied territory in 2 weeks.

⚡️Russian drone strikes across Sumy Oblast injure 15.

⚡️Update: Death toll rises to 3, with 25 injured in Kryvyi Rih strike.

⚡️ Russian attacks kill 10, injure 72 across Ukraine over past day as deadly ballistic missile strike rocks Kryvyi Rih.
Russia launched 101 drones overnight, while Ukrainian air defenses downed or jammed 95 of them, the Air Force reported.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 10h
⚡️ RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE — JUN 24, 2026
■ Engagements above the 7-day average but casualties below it; 🇷🇺 gains of 55 km² confirmed
■ Equipment losses include six tanks and three air defence systems
■ 🇷🇺 overnight attacks: drones below average; excellent interception rate
■ 🇷🇺 shelling above average; 27 🇺🇦 strikes reported and 320 drones launched into 🇷🇺; 30-day strike ratio continues to improv

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Russians create conditions for an outbreak of anthrax in Kherson region
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Russians are massively importing infected cattle carcasses and burying them instead of burning them.
In general, there are up to fifty cattle burial grounds in the region, but the greatest danger is posed by about ten abandoned facilities in the areas of Askania-Nova, Skadovsk and Zalizny Port.
Some of these facilities are located near settlements and in areas with high groundwater.
Deliberately or negligently creating conditions for an outbreak of anthrax is another crime of the aggressor state of Russia, which can be interpreted as an act of biological terrorism against the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the HUR notes.
In addition, intelligence suggests that Russia may blow up these burial grounds in order to stage a provocation and accuse Ukraine of using "biological weapons."

Kremlin pressures Belarus, preparing for new escalation, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Moscow hopes to use the neighboring country as a springboard to expand the war in Ukraine or launch operations against NATO members.
The publication notes that this signals Russia may be considering a risky new escalation of the war as its army tries to advance in eastern Ukraine and the Russian leader faces unstable domestic support. Officials say Belarus, where Russia bases tactical nuclear weapons, could become a key player in this scenario.
[...] Sources note there are no signs yet that Russia plans an immediate operation from Belarus, but the possibility is being considered. Such an operation would not necessarily be a conventional military attack, but could be aimed at testing NATO defenses or undermining support for Ukraine, similar to the incident in which 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace from Belarus last summer.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlined three key areas of support Ukraine needs to maintain the initiative. The minister spoke about this during a speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference attended by military personnel, government officials from NATO countries, and representatives of the defense technology sector.
PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems to counter ballistic threats;
• increased production of Ukrainian drones and missiles;
• artillery ammunition with a range of at least 30 km.
Addressing these challenges will strengthen Ukraine’s position and help bring a just peace closer.

Armenia to participate in Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Gdansk, Bloomberg reports.
Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan will travel to Gdansk on June 24–25. The forum, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is expected to bring together delegations from about 100 countries.

Russia is preparing to begin large-scale gasoline imports from India to address a fuel shortage.
According to The Moscow Times, amendments to the Russian Tax Code provide subsidies for oil companies that purchase fuel abroad, including in India.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said he sees no preconditions for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Commenting on the possibility of a personal meeting with the Ukrainian president, Putin stated: “What preconditions are there? They constantly say: ‘We want personal meetings.’”
At the same time, he again accused Ukraine of carrying out strikes on Russian territory.
Putin also repeated his claim that Ukraine is allegedly “losing one territory after another” and said he had instructed Russian authorities to minimize the consequences of Ukrainian attacks.

🇺🇦 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine’s operation, particularly regarding Crimea, is being carried out according to a carefully calculated plan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is ready to use all mechanisms provided for by the Union Treaty to ensure the security of Belarus and the Union State.

Russia will not stop at the frontline as a condition for starting negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
▪️ Moscow will not settle for temporary or interim solutions, and will not accept what it calls “dictated ultimatums”
▪️ Russia is open to negotiations on the Ukraine conflict at any time, but insists that a “serious proposal” must be on the table
▪️Russia has proposed that Ukraine significantly raise the level of leadership in its negotiating delegation
▪️ The ball is currently “not in Russia’s court,” although Moscow claims it is being “pushed from an offside position”
▪️ The Russian side says it is ready to listen to EU politicians if they have constructive ideas

The attack on the Kerch oil terminal has caused at least 4 of the 7 oil tanks to burn.
Another image shows ferries that have been diverted to the Kerch Ship Repair Plant after the recent attack.

💥 The so-called “governor” of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said that as a result of a massive nighttime drone attack on energy infrastructure, the city was completely left without electricity.
The main target of the attack was reportedly the Balaklava TPP, one of the key power plants on the peninsula.

⛽️ The fuel crisis has reached Russia’s main oil region, according to Russian media.
In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which produces approximately 40% of Russia’s oil, restrictions on fuel sales have been introduced. Gas stations at one of the largest chains now sell no more than 40 liters of gasoline and 80 liters of diesel per person.
Similar measures are already in place in more than 50 Russian regions, including the Omsk, Irkutsk, Saratov, Voronezh, and Amur regions. Authorities explain this as a need to prevent the mass evacuation of fuel.

Friendly fire in the Baltic: Russian electronic warfare “attacked” a tanker of the Russian “shadow fleet” — the ship has been unable to restore its navigation systems for more than a day, OSINT analyst auonsson reports.
The analyst drew attention to the strange navigation signals sent by the tanker PATE, which is currently in the Baltic Sea.
The ship passed the southern part of the sea, after which its route began to be displayed with sharp deviations and erroneous coordinates.
Auonsson and the Russian publication The Insider suggest that the cause was GPS spoofing, that is, signal substitution, which Russia practices in this region, making it difficult for ships and aircraft to navigate.

🇪🇺 European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius described Ukraine's defense industry as the best and most innovative in the world.

🇺🇸 US troops will train on a replica of the Ukrainian front, according to CBS News. @MissConductUS
Over the next four to six weeks, the US Army will equip at least two training grounds that will closely simulate conditions on the Ukrainian battlefield.
There, troops will practice operating under electronic warfare conditions, responding to mass drone attacks, and employing countermeasures. Drone manufacturers and developers of counter-drone systems will also participate in the tests.
The publication writes that the United States acknowledges that the war in Ukraine has exposed weaknesses in its defense industry. The country needs inexpensive interception systems that can be deployed on a large scale in a prolonged war of attrition.

🏃‍♀️ 14 years after the London 2012 Olympics, Russian athlete Ekaterina Guliyev has been stripped of her silver medal in the women’s 800 meters following a doping ruling.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport found her guilty of using banned substances and annulled all her results from July 2012 to October 2014.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Hungary has blocked the next step in Ukraine’s EU accession process, according to Politico.
Budapest was the only EU member state to block approval of the joint position needed to open new accession negotiation clusters for Ukraine and Moldova. The issue is set to return to the agenda next week.

The Visegrád Group held its first summit in more than two years as Hungary, Poland, Czechia and Slovakia sought to revive the alliance after divisions over Russia’s war.
Hosting the meeting, Hungary’s Péter Magyar was joined by Donald Tusk, Andrej Babiš and Robert Fico, with Tusk declaring: “We are back.”

“It’s time to launch a program to send Ukrainians back from Poland to Ukraine. Everyone must return there,” Polish MP Janusz Kowalski said.

WATCH: Ukraine has destroyed a key supply bridge over the North Crimean Canal in Russian-occupied Crimea, cutting another logistics route used by Moscow’s forces on the peninsula. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/37359

Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed more than 60,000 tons of ammunition at a Baltic Fleet arsenal near St. Petersburg, President Zelensky said.
Zelensky also said Ukrainian strikes hit Russian facilities producing radio electronics and other critical military components.
Intelligence has also obtained internal Russian documents detailing the impact of Ukraine’s long-range attacks, including the redeployment of air defense systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge.

Putin said Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine based on the 2022 Istanbul draft agreements.
Kyiv Post notes that the proposed framework required Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions, renounce nuclear weapons, restrict foreign troops and weapons on its territory, and reduce its armed forces to 85,000 personnel. In exchange, Russia, the US, the UK, France, and China would provide security guarantees, while Moscow would withdraw from occupied territories except Crimea, with the status of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions left for separate negotiations.

Putin claimed the West continues to “militarize” and prepare for war with Russia but has not yet dared to strike from its own territory.
He also said Russia will continue modernizing its nuclear triad and other weapons, supports “equal and indivisible security” and a multipolar world, and repeated the Kremlin’s long-standing claim that Moscow “endured eight years” and tried to negotiate before being “forced” to “liberate” Donbas.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski warned that Russia could stage a provocation on its own territory to justify further escalation, comparing the scenario to Nazi Germany’s 1939 Gleiwitz false-flag operation.
His remarks came after Putin accused NATO and the EU of fabricating a Russian threat to justify militarization, while Moscow continued to claim the West is preparing for conflict.

Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa and a key figure in coordinating military support for Ukraine, will step down on July 2 after just 18 months in the role.
His departure comes amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon overhaul aimed at reducing the number of senior generals.

Denmark will supply Ukraine with 15,000 long-range artillery rounds after Kyiv urged allies to prioritize long-range firepower over short-range systems.
Part of the shipment has already arrived, as Ukraine says long-range artillery, air defense, and drones remain critical to counter Russia and support expanding drone strike zones along the front.

‘Too Early to Say Russia Is Losing Africa’: In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, HUR spokesperson said Moscow successfully replaced Wagner with the Defense Ministry-backed Africa Corps and continues to pursue political influence.
He also warned that Russian intelligence services are increasingly using disinformation and AI-generated content to fuel instability and advance Kremlin interests in at least 22 African countries.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) say their Deep Strike units hit two key Russian energy facilities near Orenburg: the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant and the Orenburg Helium Plant.
According to the SSO, the operation was carried out in coordination with the underground resistance movement Black Spark operating inside Russia.

Ukraine has turned the tide of the war and is now in a winning position, according to US Deputy Secretary of State Jeremy Levin, European Pravda reported.

Belarus has announced the start of “mobilization exercises” on June 20, requiring reservists to report to collection points to update their military records.
The drills are part of a routine annual program held in different regions to test military commissariats and the country’s mobilization system. Similar exercises were conducted in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Putin’s spokesman Peskov insisted that Russia’s macroeconomic stability is “absolutely secured” despite a federal budget shortfall of $28 billion and surging war-related expenditures.

Four Ukrainian sailors who were aboard the Epimonidas container ship when it was detained by Iranian forces in April have returned home, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

▪️Kyiv is attempting to arrange a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in the US, as it would be significantly harder for Putin to turn down an invitation coming from Trump. Sources say "Donald liked the idea."

Russian security services are urging Putin to postpone the State Duma elections due to problems in the country, Meduza writes.
According to sources, the initiative is being pushed by the heads of the FSB and the head of the Russian National Guard, Viktor Zolotov — a friend and former bodyguard of Putin.
Among the reasons cited are economic problems (rising prices, layoffs at enterprises), as well as the declining ratings of United Russia. According to various agencies, the party barely gets 35%, whereas it is typically tasked with approaching 50%.
Opposing the cancellation of the elections are Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Putin's administration, and the media bloc. Putin himself is leaning toward holding the elections, as canceling them would amount to a public admission of crisis.

The leader of the unrecognized South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, is stepping down to become an advisor to Putin, Reuters reports.
His resignation has already been approved by the parliament of the unrecognized South Ossetia. Prime Minister Marat Kambolov will serve as acting head of the region until early elections.
Alan Gagloev had led the region since 2022. He has already stated that in his new position, he will work toward the region's integration into Russia.
▪️South Ossetia was an autonomous region within the Georgian SSR, but after the collapse of the USSR, armed conflicts broke out there between Georgian forces and separatists backed by Russia. In 2008, during the Russo-Georgian War, Russia took control of the region and recognized its independence. However, the majority of countries in the world do not recognize it.

🇷🇺🇰🇿Russia is negotiating with Kazakhstan to import 50,000 tons of gasoline to address the country's shortage following Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, Reuters reports, citing sources.
Kazakhstan is a relatively small fuel producer compared to Russia, so supply volumes are unlikely to be significant.
A source in Kazakhstan said that gasoline supplies to Russia could be possible in exchange for Russian aviation fuel. The source added that in July, Kazakhstan will face a shortage of aviation fuel as demand for air travel increases.

❗️Russia is creating a network of fake websites to influence AI chatbots, according to a Bloomberg investigation.
Russia's "Project 2026" involves launching sites that mimic encyclopedias, media outlets, and analytical centers to promote pro-Russian narratives and disinformation.
This data can later end up in search results and responses from AI-based systems. Among the projects is the creation of resources resembling Wikipedia, as well as tracking popular fakes.
In particular, Russia's "Agency for Social Design" recorded that the fake story about President Volodymyr Zelensky's mother buying two apartments in Dubai's Burj Khalifa skyscraper garnered 86 million views on social media.

Putin has ordered his government and the Ministry of Defense to "take measures to reduce the consequences of AFU strikes" on infrastructure to zero.
According to him, Ukraine is attempting to affect the tourist season by creating problems with energy resource supplies

🇺🇸🇺🇦During the G7 summit last week, Donald Trump was deeply impressed by Ukraine's long-range strikes and agreed to strengthen sanctions against Russia's energy sector, the FT reports, citing sources.
Back in March, US intelligence believed that Russia had the upper hand in the war. However, recently, European diplomats have noticed that the stance of US officials appears to have shifted, and they no longer believe Moscow is winning.

Ukrainian air defense neutralized 95 out of 101 Russian drones overnight.

Throughout the day, the Russians attacked Ukraine. Here is what is known about the aftermath:
🔴Zaporizhzhia. The Russians attacked a municipal enterprise in the Zaporizhzhia district. Currently, one person is confirmed dead and five are injured and under medical supervision.
🔴Kherson region. Novopetrivka came under attack — two employees of the international humanitarian organization Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) were killed. Four staff members were wounded.
🔴Dnipropetrovsk region. The enemy attacked four districts of the region 50 times: two people were killed and three wounded. Private houses and vehicles were damaged.
🔴Sumy region. A cinema in the center of Konotop was damaged, leaving six people wounded. In Sumy, one person was injured — the Russians struck a gas station buildin

🇺🇸 US troops will train on a replica of the Ukrainian front, according to CBS News.
Over the next four to six weeks, the US Army will equip at least two training grounds that will closely simulate conditions on the Ukrainian battlefield.
There, troops will practice operating under electronic warfare conditions, responding to mass drone attacks, and employing countermeasures. Drone manufacturers and developers of counter-drone systems will also participate in the tests.

The Pentagon has lots of new entrants to the market developing drones and counter drone systems, which is a good thing. One challenge this has caused is a 12 to 18 month waiting period to get testing time on a fully equipped Army run testing range, so this will alleviate that problem. Fortunately, the U.S. Army has vast land holdings to do this on, and it’s not a big challenge to equip and operate a testing range.

It’s good training for the troops too, but a lot of that is already happening in Europe.

Here's some interesting commentary from the WSJ on the shifting balance of power between Russia and Ukraine, and the strategic dilemma it poses for the Russians.

Ukraine’s New Air-Power Paradigm - Putin says Russia is bound to win a war of attrition. Recent developments cast doubt on his confidence.

It's interesting that this strategy has been under development since Ukraine's failed counteroffensive in 2023. It's based on the concept of air interdiction - attacking the enemy's logistics, rear echelon forces, command centers, and supporting infrastructure. This has American fingerprints all over it, as it was our doctrine for fighting the Russians in Europe when I was serving. Back then, it was called the AirLand Battle. It's nice to see it put into practice against the Russians after so many years.

This has American fingerprints all over it

So likely the US under Biden helped Ukraine develop the strategy, at the point when it became clear that this would be a long fight?

That's my conclusion. Unfortunately, the execution of it had to wait for Ukraine to develop and manufacture its own long-range drones and missiles, as Biden was unwilling to provoke the Russians by supplying American long-range fires in sufficient numbers to make it effective.

Equipping and expanding the Ukrainian air force would have been another option, but that would have taken much longer and required more resources. Unmanned systems are less expensive, though not reusable, and don't require trained pilots or a lot of ground support personnel.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukrainian troops raise flag on Kinburn Spit in Mykolaiv Oblast held by Russian forces since 2022, military says.
Russian forces retreated under “heavy fire,” with the evacuation of surviving personnel continuing, the statement read.

⚡️ Ukraine receives first tranche of 90 billion euro loan from EU.
“The funds have already been transferred to the state budget and will be used to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and social resilience,” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram.

⚡️ France seizes Russian shadow fleet vessel in Mediterranean.
"We will not allow the shadow fleet to evade sanctions and fund Russia's war effort. Europe is determined," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X on June 25.

⚡️Ukraine faces possible daily 5-hour power cuts in July–August if Russian attacks continue, Ukrenergo says.
"We understand that we will meet daytime demand through nuclear power, imports, distributed generation, and renewable energy, but unfortunately, we will have to rely on consumers to balance evening peaks," Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of state grid operator Ukrenergo, said.

⚡️Rubio says no Ukraine agreement reached at Alaska summit, contradicting Moscow's claims.

⚡️Denmark says it won't grant refugee protection to Ukrainians eligible for conscription.
Several EU countries are considering national laws intended to restrict how temporary protection works for the 4 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe.

⚡️Update: Ukrainian strikes hit energy, oil infrastructure in Russian-occupied Crimea as power outages continue, military confirms.
The targets included the Tavriya Thermal Power Plant in Simferopol, an oil depot in Dzhankoi, two gas compressor stations, two electrical substations, three coastal radar stations, and a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon, according to Robert "Madyar" Brovdi.

⚡️Oil depot reportedly set ablaze in Russia's Krasnodar Krai following Ukrainian strike.
Ukraine's military reportedly carried out an attack on Russian oil infrastructure overnight on June 25, striking an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, officials said.

⚡️ Exclusive: Ukraine’s central bank chief says 2 state-owned banks have ‘good chance’ of being privatized by year-end.
Sense Bank and Ukrgazbank have a “good chance” of being privatized by the end of 2026, Ukraine’s central bank chief Andriy Pyshnyi told the Kyiv Independent in an interview on June 24 on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Poland.

⚡️Exclusive: Ukraine central bank governor rejects claims of personal motive in postal service feud.
Ukraine's central bank chief denied that a personal conflict contributed to the bank's decision to request the dismissal of the CEO of Ukraine's state postal service, amid a public outcry over the decision.

⚡️Apple removes Russia's biggest social network from App Store.
Russia's largest social media platform, VK, is a major channel for information distribution and state-backed narratives.

⚡️ Senior Russian officials attack Kyiv Independent report, tell Russians not to trust Ukrainian media.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed reporting by the Kyiv Independent that U.S. President Donald Trump privately encouraged President Volodymyr Zelensky to act “more boldly” toward Russia.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 6h
⚡️ RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE — JUN 24, 2026
■ Engagements and casualties slightly below the 7-day average; no territorial changes confirmed
■ Land-based equipment losses include four MLRS and three air defence systems; drone losses slightly below average
■ 🇷🇺 overnight attacks: drones below average; decent interception rate
■ 🇷🇺 shelling above average; 12 🇺🇦 strikes reported and 330 drones launched into 🇷🇺; 30-day strike ratio remains single-digit

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Ukrainian intelligence has obtained internal Russian documents containing a real assessment of the situation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, these documents show that Ukraine’s pressure campaign is being felt by the Russian leadership.

❗️President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has ordered Ukrainian intelligence and the military to accelerate work on identifying and targeting facilities used by Russia to scale up its war efforts.
He stated that Russian leadership is strengthening air defense around Moscow, Valdai, and the Kerch Strait bridge, reportedly reallocating systems from other regions.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have moved hundreds of air defense launchers, including S-400, S-500, and Pantsir systems, to the Moscow region alone

🛢 Russia exports record crude oil in June as no refined oil is available, according to media reports.
Shipments from the Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, as well as the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, are expected to reach about 2.7–2.8 million barrels per day in June.
The increase in exports could contribute to further declines in global oil prices, which are already under pressure due to rising supply from Iran, traders say.

🔥 On the night of June 24, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant and the only helium plant in Russia, located more than 1,200 kilometers from the line of combat contact, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Orenburg Gas Processing Plant and the Orenburg Helium Plant form a single industrial complex.
The gas processing plant produces purified natural gas and sulfur, which is used, among other things, in the production of explosives and black powder.
he helium plant processes purified sulfur-free gas and extracts valuable components through deep-cooling technology, including helium, used in liquid-fuel rocket engines and guidance systems, and ethane, a key raw material for special plastics, aviation cable insulation, and plasticizers used in solid rocket fuels and propellants.
The complex has a processing capacity of 45 billion cubic meters of gas annually and accounts for about 60% of all gas processed by Gazprom Pererabotka.
In addition, Ukrainian forces struck:
▫️ An enemy FPV drone warehouse near Alekseevka in Russia’s Belgorod region;
▫️ UAV control points used by Russian forces in the areas of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Basan and Hrozove in Zaporizhzhia region, Tyotkino and Popovo-Lezhachi in Kursk region, and Zhuravlivka in Belgorod region.
The General Staff also reported that analysis of available data confirmed the destruction of two enemy unmanned naval boats in the northwestern part of the Black Sea on June 23.

🛰️ Ukraine has taken on the task of disrupting Russian satellite communications.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a strike on June 22 damaged facilities at the Dubna Space Communications Center in Moscow region.
The attack reportedly damaged the hardware and modular complex of a 32-meter MARK-IV antenna, as well as a technical building located next to the antenna.
In addition, the main hardware and software building was damaged, with part of one wall destroyed. This facility houses central communications equipment, Ground Control Complex systems, and the Central Control Panel of the satellite network.
Dubna is the largest ground-based satellite communications complex in Russia. The center is used for military communications and for controlling satellite repeaters employed by the Russian Defense Ministry for reconnaissance and troop coordination.
The General Staff also reported that, on the night of June 24, two buildings at the Vladimir Space Communications Center in Russia’s Vladimir region were damaged.
Meanwhile, the monitoring group Crimean Wind published satellite imagery showing damage in temporarily occupied Kerch to the Russian Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system, which is used to counter Starlink communications.
According to the published images, several antennas were completely destroyed by fire, although most of the antenna-equipped trailers had been relocated following earlier strikes.

🇺🇦 160 deals worth more than €10 billion will be concluded at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdansk, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
According to the Prime Minister, the conference will include:
▫️ The signing of hundreds of agreements and the announcement of more than 30 partnerships;
▫️ Participation of more than 80 Ukrainian companies in the largest URC business fair in history, alongside 2,000 business representatives from around the world;
▫️ The launch of a new Energy Platform format, which will become a permanent tool for mobilizing international support for Ukraine’s energy sector.

🚉 Occupiers in Crimea have reduced the number of “Tavria” trains running to and from the peninsula.
As stated by the occupying head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, seven trains will depart to and from the peninsula daily. They will run to and from the Kerch-Pivdenna station.
Aksyonov added that other trains operating this season will be gradually canceled over a two-week period.

⛔️ In the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region, the occupiers have restricted traffic on the highway leading to Crimea for an indefinite period.

❗️In the morning, the Russian Federation attacked gas stations in Zaporizhzhia and Sumy, according to regional authorities.
Four people were injured in Sumy. Two gas station employees were hospitalized with minor injuries. A couple who were near the site of the attack were also injured.

🚫 Norwegian organization suspends demining operations in Ukraine after two of its employees were killed in Kherson region on June 24.

Scott Kelly has launched his second ambulance fundraiser via UNITED24
Our ambassador, who used to drive ambulances before flying space shuttles, is raising $1,200,000 for 10 vehicles to help save lives.

🦩🥹 A rare pink pelican was spotted on Khortytsia for the first time since the construction of the Kakhovka Reservoir (since 1950-ies)
The Great White Pelican, which is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, was observed in the floodplain of the island.
Scientists associate the return of the species with the natural restoration of the territories of the former reservoir.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Ukraine plans to form new brigades as Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky warns Russia is preparing to expand the active front by around 160 km, potentially from the Belarusian direction.
Syrsky said reinforcing existing units alone will not be enough to counter a possible new Russian offensive.

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to halt the construction of military infrastructure along Ukraine’s border, warning Kyiv views the activity as a potential preparation for an offensive.
Zelensky also said Ukrainian intelligence reports growing fuel shortages, logistical problems, and governance failures in Russian-occupied territories, with occupation authorities struggling to maintain control.

A new Polish-made long-range strike drone with a range of up to 1,000 km has successfully completed tests near Kyiv, its manufacturer says.
FlyFocus said the Striker UAV received positive feedback from Ukrainian operators after trials outside the Ukrainian capital.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he recently met with representatives of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Lukashenko, he warned the Ukrainian side against dragging Belarus into the war, saying it would “fundamentally change the war”. He added that Kyiv understands Belarus’ position and called for substantive negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the French Navy intercepted and seized the tanker “Deliver” off the coast of Sicily after it allegedly violated international maritime law.
Macron said the operation was part of Europe’s efforts to crack down on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and shared a video of the interception.

Traffic stretching for several kilometers has formed at the Kerch Bridge, with around 1,500 vehicles stuck in line, according to satellite imagery.
Crossings are repeatedly suspended over missile alerts, Russian air defense activity, and the threat of Ukrainian naval drone attacks. Russia has also tightened security checks, while rail operator Grand Service Express has canceled 11 trains to Crimea, with only seven services to Kerch set to operate from July 8.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Overnight, the Russians attacked Ukraine with a ballistic missile and 90 UAVs. Air defense neutralized 83 drones.
In the Sumy region, a gas station was hit — four people were injured.
In Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces also attacked a gas station, while in the Poltava region, they struck an enterprise.

The Russians are attacking Ukraine. Explosions are heard in the Sumy, Donetsk, Kherson regions, and in Zaporizhzhia. Here is what is currently known about the aftermath:
Sumy region. Four people were injured in a morning strike on a gas station. Later, the Russians struck the rescue workers who were extinguishing the fire.
Kherson. The Russian army struck a hospital — five medical staff members were injured. In the Korabelnyi district, two men aged 63 and 61 were also injured.
Zaporizhzhia. A man was killed and a woman was injured as a result of the strikes. Vehicles are burning in a parking lot.
Donetsk region. A hospital in Sloviansk and a gas station in Kramatorsk were hit. Fires broke out.

⚽️The International Federation of Football (FIFA) has allowed the Russian national team to participate in the U-15 World Championship.

So even the trains to and from Crimea are being affected now.

⚡️ Ukrainian troops raise flag on Kinburn Spit in Mykolaiv Oblast held by Russian forces since 2022, military says.
Russian forces retreated under “heavy fire,” with the evacuation of surviving personnel continuing, the statement read

Delurking to ask didn't Ukraine already take the Kinburn Split? I maybe remembering incorrectly. I have seen a few comments on substack that they have moved into the Kinburn peninsula, which looks like they are pushing into Crimea.

I realise 2 weeks ago Russia were leaving the Kinburn spit and not Ukraine arriving there. So this is huge news that they have managed to cross the river and push out the remaining Russians. I have looked properly at the map now and can see that this is near Kherson and not on Crimea.
I will go back to lurking, but first a quick thank you to you all for the posts and insights.

Oh don’t go back to lurking @RoseWineandCake all non bots welcome and I find it heartening to hear there are people out there reading the thread and keeping the faith rather than just the couple of dozen who post.

I promise I am reading it, and full of gratitude for the painstaking record of what is going on; I just find myself with very little to say on this vile war of aggression so I am not posting much.

I am still following the threads with gratitude. When I meet with my friends, in the pub every week, Ukraine is still discussed and reading these makes me sound like I am reasonably intelligent

I have been following since thread 6, I haven't posted for a long time. I check multiple times a times day to see the updates that you all post and always appreciate the insights. I clearly have nothing of value to add, but deeply appreciate this thread. Hopefully it won't be going on for too much longer.

Love that flag 🇺🇦Must be galling to the Russians.

If Russia cannot effectively supply their troops in the Kinburn Spit and I presume there is hardly any air defence as they would be moved to Crimea and Moscow, Russian troops still on the Spit would be sitting ducks for Ukrainian drones.

Hope it is a matter of time before Russian abandons the spit.

@RoseWineandCake welcome back. It is nice to have more company as we wait it out whilst quietly keeping the faith. Slava Ukraini!