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EU seals new trade deal with Ukraine, key details still pending
The European Union has reached a long-term trade agreement with Ukraine, marking the end of wartime trade liberalisation measures, though key details of the deal remain undisclosed.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen announced the agreement on June 30, calling it a “predictable” and “reciprocal” framework. However, they did not reveal the final quotas or volumes included in the deal. Sefcovic noted that the finer points would be finalised “in the coming days.”
The new deal replaces the autonomous trade measures (ATMs) that allowed Ukrainian agri-food exports to enter the EU tariff-free since 2022. Those temporary measures expired on June 5, reinstating pre-war trade conditions for a brief period.
Structured in three tiers, the new framework introduces modest increases in quotas for products considered sensitive by EU member states, such as eggs, poultry, sugar, wheat, maize, and honey. A second group of products—including butter, skimmed milk powder, oats, barley, malt, and gluten—will see their quotas adjusted to reflect peak import levels reached since the start of the war. A third category, which includes items such as whole milk powder, fermented milk, mushrooms, and grape juice, will be fully liberalised.
Once finalised, the text of the agreement will be submitted to the Council for ratification.
Sefcovic said negotiations concluded over the weekend, less than a month after formal talks began. However, some critics claim the EU delayed the process to avoid backlash from farmers ahead of Poland’s presidential election.
The agreement also benefits EU producers, granting them greater access to the Ukrainian market for goods like pork, poultry, and sugar. But Hansen made it clear that expanded access for Ukrainian exports will depend on Ukraine’s compliance with EU agricultural standards by 2028, including rules on animal welfare and pesticide use. “This commitment also fits perfectly with Ukraine’s EU accession path,” he said.
The deal includes safeguard provisions, allowing the EU or individual member states to restrict imports if domestic markets face serious disruptions. “Both EU and Ukrainian producers deserve a stable and predictable basis for the future development of bilateral trade,” Hansen added.
Smashing previous monthly record, Russia launches 5,337 kamikaze drones against Ukraine during JuneRussia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in June, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force and Dragon Capital, smashing the previous record of 4,198 set in March. Russia’s bombardments, a fact of life after three years of full-scale war, have intensified dramatically in May
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
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Oil tanker damaged by blast weeks after visiting Russian ports, Bloomberg reports
A tanker carrying 1 million barrels of oil experienced an explosion near Libya, its operator TMS Tankers said on June 30. The vessel, Vilamoura, is now being towed to Greece, where the extent of the damage will be assessed upon arrival.
The blast caused the engine room to flood due to water intake, though the cause of the explosion remains unclear, according to a company spokesperson.
The spokesperson confirmed that the crew is safe and no pollution has been reported. The incident comes amid a series of unexplained blasts targeting oil tankers that had previously visited Russian ports. In response, shipowners have started inspecting their vessels for mines using divers and underwater drones.
Vilamoura had visited Russian oil terminals twice since April, loading Kazakh-origin crude rather than Russian oil. According to Bloomberg vessel-tracking data, the tanker called at the Russian port of Ust-Luga in early April and at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk in May. Both terminals primarily handle Kazakh crude exports.
Maritime risk consultancy Vanguard Tech reported that four other vessels have been damaged by explosions since the beginning of the year. Each had recently docked at Russian ports, the firm said.
Ukraine has targeted Russian energy assets throughout the full-scale invasion, including a drone strike in February on the CPC pipeline, a route responsible for moving roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports.
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Not only the Chinese! Ukrainian fighters captured mercenaries from Cameroon #shorts
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Loss of Ukraine lithium deposit to Russia won’t impact minerals deal, says investor
Russian troops have taken over the site of one of Ukraine’s most valuable lithium deposits near the village of Shevchenko, Donetsk Oblast, as Russia ramps up its summer offensive.
While Ukrainian troops control territories near the site, the deposit is now under Russian occupation, Roman Pohorilyi, founder of open-source mapping project Deep State Map, told the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine’s military said its forces are continuing to fight around the village, with Ukrainian forces on the western outskirts and Russian forces on the eastern side, Viktor Trehubov, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, told the Kyiv Independent. The untapped 40-acre plot lies less than two kilometers east of the village.
“There are active hostilities. They are ongoing across the entire section, across all of the Novopavlivka (front),” Trehubov said.Lithium, used in electric vehicle batteries, is one of the key critical raw materials highlighted by the U.S. in the agreement that was signed on April 30.
The reported Russian takeover of the deposits comes just two months after Ukraine signed a landmark critical minerals agreement with the U.S. to attract investment to the war-torn country, particularly to its strategic resources, including its untapped lithium reserves.
But despite Ukraine's apparent loss of the deposit, it is unlikely to have an impact on the agreement, Serhii Fursa, deputy managing director at investment firm Dragon Capital, told the Kyiv Independent.
“It was obvious that it was under huge risk of occupation and nobody assumed it would be a good asset for any kind of deal,” Fursa said.
View of the Zavalivskyi graphite quarry in Zavallia, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine, on Feb.28, 2025. The plant produces about 10 types of graphite for applications ranging from brake pads to lithium-ion batteries. (Arsen Dzodzaiev / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) The Kyiv Independent reached out to Ukraine's Ecology Ministry to confirm the site had been taken, but the ministry did not return the request for comment by the time of publication. The Economy Ministry also did not reply to a request for comment on the economic fallout of losing the deposits.
Ukraine now has only two out of four lithium deposits left, both in central Ukraine. Russian forces occupied the Kruta Balka deposit in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the first year of the full-scale invasion.
Lithium, used in electric vehicle batteries, is one of the key critical raw materials highlighted by the U.S. in the agreement that was signed on April 30. Kyiv initially wanted Washington to promise security guarantees as part of the deal, but after protracted negotiations that threatened to tarnish U.S.-Ukraine relations, guarantees were not included.
Kyiv is planning to open up the large Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine, containing between 80-105 million metric tons of lithium ore, to private investors, marking the first project under the agreement.
The Shevchenko deposit is smaller, with an estimated volume of 11 to 14 million tons of ore, according to the mining company European Lithium, which previously held the license to mine the deposit. The ore is unique in Ukraine as it contains 90% spodumene, a mineral rich in lithium, making it easy to extract.European Lithium never mined the Shevchenko deposit and in 2023 said it no longer laid claim to it, citing its proximity to the front line.
Initially, Russia claimed to have captured Shevchenko as clashes intensified in the region amid Russia’s summer offensive on June 26. The following day, the New York Times reported that the lithium deposit had been captured, although Khortytsia told the Kyiv Independent that Russian forces had not yet captured the village.
Ukraine is one of the few European countries to have high deposits of lithium and holds one-third of the European Union's reserves and approximately 3% of global lithium reserves, according to the Kyiv School of Economics.
Demand for lithium is growing, with Australia and China topping the list of producers.
Ukraine, US plan to launch minerals investment fund by year’s end“We discussed very concrete steps how to make this fund operational during this year,” Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said during a visit to Washington.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Subscribe to the NewsletterUkraine Business Roundup<span data-sanitized-id="ukraine-business-roundup-info" data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__info"></span> <button data-sanitized-id="ukraine-business-roundup-subscribe-btn" data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__form_button"> <span data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__form_label">Subscribe</span> </button> </div>Ukraine gets $1.7 billion loan from Canada backed by Russian assets
Ukraine has received a 2.5 billion Canadian dollar ($1.7 billion) loan from Canada under the Group of Seven’s (G7) Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 30.
Under the ERA mechanism, Ukraine is expected to get $50 billion in loans that will be repaid using future profits from frozen Russian assets.
Canada’s contribution to the initiative is $3.5 billion, and the loan will be granted for 30 years. The Canadian government sent the first tranche in March.
Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has received about $17.6 billion from Russia’s frozen assets, according to Shmyhal.
“We insist on the complete confiscation of the frozen funds of the Russian Federation. They are needed to pay compensation to victims of the aggression and to rebuild our country. This will also be an act of justice to prevent future wars of aggression,” Shmyhal said.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, G7 countries have frozen approximately $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets.
The ERA initiative, backed primarily by the U.S. and the EU, aims to use profits from these frozen assets to finance Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
Smashing previous monthly record, Russia launches 5,337 kamikaze drones against Ukraine during JuneRussia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in June, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force and Dragon Capital, smashing the previous record of 4,198 set in March. Russia’s bombardments, a fact of life after three years of full-scale war, have intensified dramatically in May
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Norway to send F-35 fighter jets to Poland to cover transportation hub for Ukrainian military aid
Norway will send F-35 fighter jets to Poland in the fall to protect the Rzeszow-Yasenka airport, one of the key transportation hubs for NATO military aid to Ukraine, Norwegian Defense Ministry announced on June 30.
The news came as Russia has escalated attacks against Ukrainian cities over the past weeks, launching record 400-500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) per night.
Norway is thus strengthening its contribution to NATO’s air and missile defense, while the main goal of the mission is to support the protection of Polish airspace and a key logistics center for assistance to Ukraine, the statement read.
“This is a vital contribution. We are helping ensure that support to Ukraine reaches its destination, and that Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom,” Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik said.
The Rzeszow-Jasionka airport is located less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Ukrainian border and transports a significant percentage of Western materiel bound for the front lines in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that 90% of aid for Ukraine was going through the airport in Rzeszow as of Novermber 2024.
It is also a main stopover point for foreign leadership traveling to Kyiv on official visits.
In January, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin will deploy the promised Patriot air defenses around the Polish airport to protect it.
Smashing previous monthly record, Russia launches 5,337 kamikaze drones against Ukraine during JuneRussia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in June, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force and Dragon Capital, smashing the previous record of 4,198 set in March. Russia’s bombardments, a fact of life after three years of full-scale war, have intensified dramatically in May
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces push Russian army away from Sumy
Key developments on June 30:
- Ukrainian forces push Russian army away from Sumy, General Staff says
- Ukrainian military again denies reports on Russian troops entering Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
- After months of stalling, Russia blames Ukraine, US for slow pace of peace talks
- Germany vows to pursue ‘every path’ to boost Ukraine’s air defenses, FM Wadephul says in Kyiv
Ukrainian forces have stabilized the situation in Sumy Oblast and pushed the Russian army further away from Sumy, the region’s capital, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on June 30.
Moscow launched its new summer campaign in May, aiming to push deeper into Ukraine’s northeastern and eastern regions and disregarding Kyiv’s calls for an unconditional ceasefire.
Ukrainian troops advanced near the village of Oleksiivka, located less than 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the city of Sumy, and liberated the village of Andriivka, which had been captured by Russia in early June, the statement read.
A map of Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast (Nizar al-Rifal/The Kyiv Independent) In the meantime, Ukraine also stopped the Russian advance along the Yunakivka-Yablunivka-Novomykolayivka-Oleksiivka-Kindrativka line and the border with Russia near Kursk Oblast, according to the General Staff.
Russia has deployed its best brigades on this section of the front line and is using long-range artillery, aircraft, and attack drones, the General Staff said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also said on June 30 that Ukrainian troops had halted the Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.
“The Russian plan for an offensive in Sumy Oblast is not succeeding — thanks to every Ukrainian unit operating in the area,” Zelensky said after a meeting with the military leadership and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Smashing previous monthly record, Russia launches 5,337 kamikaze drones against Ukraine during JuneRussia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in June, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force and Dragon Capital, smashing the previous record of 4,198 set in March. Russia’s bombardments, a fact of life after three years of full-scale war, have intensified dramatically in May
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Ukrainian military again denies reports on Russian troops entering Dnipropetrovsk OblastThe Ukrainian military on June 30 denied the latest reports that Russian troops had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Since June 29, the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState has marked a “gray” zone in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, identifying potential fighting in this section of the front line. Near the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the zone extends almost a kilometer into the region.
Meanwhile, Kremlin propagandists claimed on Telegram that Russian troops had captured Dachne.
The estimated Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as of June 29, 2025. (DeepState/OpenStreet Map) The reports were denied by spokespeople of two Ukrainian brigades and the Khortytsia group of forces on June 30, Suspilne reported.
“There are very active battles in the villages located near the administrative border of the region,” Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, told Suspilne, adding that Ukraine is holding the defense line near the villages of Yalta, Komar, and Shevchenkove.
Tregubov added that Russian troops had not entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as of noon on June 30.
The press service of the 3rd brigade of the National Guard, stationed in the nearby Pokrovsk sector of the front line, also denied the information about the breakthrough.
Nazar Voitenkov, spokesperson for the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, based in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, also said that the Russian army had made no advances into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
“We are holding the defense line. The line is constantly changing, but the enemy has not broken through,” Voitenkov said.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center, said on Telegram that fighting is taking place near the region’s administrative border, and Russian FPV (first-person-view) drones are also flying into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast,
But despite the heavy battles, there is no breakthrough, he added.
Russia pulls its scientists out of Iranian nuclear plant, as Israeli strikes threaten decades of collaborationIsrael’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have alarmed none more than Russia, the country that first brought nuclear power to Iran in defiance of Western objections. We’re “millimeters from catastrophe,” said Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on June 18 in response to a bombing campaign that Israel launched against Iran on June 13. Decades of conflict with the West have united Iran and Russia, despite a cultural gulf between the two nations that dwarfs the Caspian Sea that physically di
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
After months of stalling, Russia blames Ukraine, US for slow pace of peace talksAfter months of diplomatic stalling, the Kremlin on June 29 blamed Kyiv and Washington for the lack of progress in peace talks, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the pace of negotiations hinges on Ukraine’s position, the effectiveness of U.S. mediation, and battlefield developments.
“A lot depends, naturally, on the position of the Kyiv regime,” Peskov told Belarus 1 TV, in comments reported by Reuters, adding: “It depends on how effectively Washington’s mediating efforts continue."
Russia has repeatedly refused to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire agreement, has escalated attacks on Ukrainian civilians, and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared earlier this month that “all of Ukraine is ours."
Peskov made the remarks in a televised interview, as the full-scale war enters its fourth summer with no comprehensive ceasefire in sight, and two mostly inconclusive rounds of peace talks.
Russia and Ukraine have held two rounds of face-to-face talks in Istanbul this year, first on May 16 and again on June 2, following more than three years without direct negotiations. The meetings resulted in significant prisoner exchanges, but no significant steps toward a ceasefire.
During the June 2 meeting, both sides presented proposals for ending the war, but Putin later describedthem as "absolutely opposite" memorandums.
Ukraine's delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, a position supported by Western partners, while Russia insisted on a 2–3-day limited truce to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers.
"Russia rejects even the very idea of stopping the killings," Umerov said after the talks. "That's why we appeal to the world: pressure is needed for real peace, not for an imitation of negotiations."
Despite the deadlock, Russia said it is open to a third round of negotiations. "In general, we are ready for this," Putin told reporters on June 27, suggesting Istanbul could again serve as the venue.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed Ankara's willingness to host, and said efforts are underway to arrange a direct meeting between Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky — possibly with U.S. President Donald Trump joining the talks.
Zelensky has expressed support for a trilateral format and discussed the idea during the recent NATO summit in Brussels, where he and Trump also spoke about enhanced U.S. military assistance and co-production of air defense systems and drones.
So far, Trump has not imposed the additional sanctions on Russia he promised if peace efforts failed. "If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed," Zelensky said on June 2.
While the Kremlin continues to reject a broad ceasefire, its forces are advancing in Ukraine's southeast, gaining territory in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, and intensifying missile and drone strikes on civilians.
No date has been set for the next round of talks.
Russia-Iran alliance wavers as Tehran suffers major blowsTehran, Russia’s main ally in the Middle East, has been dealt a heavy blow as Israel dismantled its network of proxies and then struck targets in Iran. The recent Iranian-Israeli war, which ended with a ceasefire on June 24, showed that the regional balance of power has shifted in Israel’s favor. This could have a major impact on Russian-Iranian relations as Moscow will have to recalibrate its approach to the region. Russian-Iranian cooperation is likely to continue but Iran’s ability to helpThe Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov
German minister vows to pursue 'every path' to boost Ukraine's air defensesGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul pledged on June 30 that Berlin is exploring "every possible path" to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems, amid intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks, according to RBK-Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Kyiv, Wadephul said Germany is working with its defense industry, European allies, and the U.S. to urgently secure more systems for Ukraine's air shield.
"We are going down every path available," Wadephul said. "The German defense industry is trying to expand its capacity. We're speaking with our European partners, and I believe we must also move forward with the United States."
He added that he remains in close contact with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to assess whether existing systems from Germany's own stockpiles can be redirected to Ukraine.
Wadephul's visit came just a day after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine to date, firing 477 drones and 60 missiles in a 24-hour period. In a video message posted on social media earlier on June 30, the German minister described Ukraine as "a country once again haunted by war," and reaffirmed Germany's solidarity.
"Germany stands by Ukraine," Wadephul said. "We must not allow freedom to be lost here. We have to support this country and ensure that a ceasefire is finally achieved. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must realize he cannot continue this war and must negotiate a peace solution."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Wadephul's visit in a post on X, saying the two discussed how to counter Russian aggression and deepen bilateral ties.
Sybiha said they also spoke about Germany's role in Ukraine's development of long-range capabilities and drones, calling it "win-win cooperation"— as well as Berlin's support for the 18th EU sanctions package and Ukraine's path to EU membership.
China unveils its new ‘graphite bomb’ — here’s how they workChina’s state TV broadcaster has revealed details of a new “graphite bomb” that can cause a “complete loss of electricity” across an area of 10,000 square meters, or knock out entire power stations, the South China Morning Post reported on June 29. An animated video released by China’s CCTV showed a missile being launched from a ground-based launcher and then flying to a target where it releases 90 small submunitions. They then bounce on the ground before exploding amid a mock-up of an electriThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
"I am grateful to Minister Wadephul for his moral clarity and personal contribution to Ukraine's resilience," Sybiha added.
Wadephul is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky later during his visit.
The German foreign minister emphasized that witnessing the destruction firsthand is critical to understanding Ukraine's suffering and the urgency of sustained international support.
"This is indeed a difficult situation," Wadephul said. "And that is why German solidarity is so important right now."
Note from the author:
Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.
French-Ukrainian agreement on drones, captured mercenaries, and FURIA drone strikes | Front News
Russia is preparing for military operations in Europe! Zelenskyy warned allies #shorts
Ukrainian Forces Advance in Sumy region, stabilize eastern front amid intense Russian pressure
In a significant development on the Eastern Front, Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced near the border village of Alekseevka, pushing Russian troops further away from the city of Sumy, reported Ukraine's General Staff. The Ukrainian Command also confirmed the liberation of the village of Andriivka.
Ukrainian officials noted that along the Sumy region's frontline — from Yunakivka to Yablunivka, Novomykolyivka, Oleksiivka, and Kondrativka — Russian forces have been halted, thus stabilizing the situation.
Russia has reportedly deployed elite units to this area, including motorized rifle troops, airborne assault brigades, and marines. Additionally, Russia is attempting to push back Ukrainian defenders from the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
The General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces have captured 42 Russian soldiers on the Sumy and Kursk fronts this month.
However, Pavel Narozhny, founder of the charitable organization "Reactive Mail" and a military expert, cautions that it's premature to declare full stabilization on the Sumy front, describing the current situation as a “relative calm.”
Russia has ammassed over 50,000 troops on the Sumy direction.. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, claims that their advance has been halted and Ukrainian troops are countering the Russian push. Nonetheless, media outlets caution that the number of Ukrainian defenders in this area is nearly three times smaller than that of the Russian forces.
Ukrainian forces push Russian army away from Sumy, General Staff says
Ukrainian forces have stabilized the situation in Sumy Oblast and pushed the Russian army further away from Sumy, the region’s capital, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on June 30.
Moscow launched its new summer campaign in May, aiming to push deeper into Ukraine’s northeastern and eastern regions and disregarding Kyiv’s calls for an unconditional ceasefire.
Ukrainian troops advanced near the village of Oleksiivka, located less than 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the city of Sumy, and liberated the village of Andriivka, which had been captured by Russia in early June, the statement read.
In the meantime, Ukraine also stopped the Russian advance along the Yunakivka-Yablunivka-Novomykolayivka-Oleksiivka-Kindrativka line and the border with Russia near Kursk Oblast, according to the General Staff.
A map of Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast (Nizar al-Rifal/The Kyiv Independent) Russia has deployed its best brigades on this section of the front line and is using long-range artillery, aircraft, and attack drones, the General Staff said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also said on June 30 that Ukrainian troops had halted the Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.
“The Russian plan for an offensive in Sumy Oblast is not succeeding — thanks to every Ukrainian unit operating in the area,” Zelensky said after a meeting with the military leadership and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Russian offensive’s goal is to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east and create a buffer zone in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists on June 21.
Russian forces are also attempting to fully oust Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.
Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive into Kursk Oblast — bordering Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast — last August, initially seizing 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) but losing the vast majority of this territory in a Russian counteroffensive earlier this year.
Moscow initially declared that it had fully liberated the region on April 26, but this claim was rejected by Ukraine and later disputed by Russian officials themselves.
Tired of military aid delays, Ukraine has designed its own ballistic missile — and it’s already in mass-productionUkraine announced on June 13 that its short-range Sapsan ballistic missile would go into mass production, a major development in Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to domestically produce the weapons it needs to fight Russia’s full-scale invasion. As Ukraine faces growing challenges in securing weapons from Western partners, and Russia continues launching
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Russia-Iran alliance wavers as Tehran suffers major blows
Tehran, Russia’s main ally in the Middle East, has been dealt a heavy blow as Israel dismantled its network of proxies and then struck targets in Iran.
The recent Iranian-Israeli war, which ended with a ceasefire on June 24, showed that the regional balance of power has shifted in Israel’s favor.
This could have a major impact on Russian-Iranian relations as Moscow will have to recalibrate its approach to the region.
Russian-Iranian cooperation is likely to continue but Iran’s ability to help Moscow is being diminished.
On the other hand, Russia, which is still heavily engaged in Ukraine, has few resources to spare for helping Iran.
“In public, Russian-Iranian relations will continue as business as usual,” Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent.
“Behind closed doors, however, Iran’s confidence in Russia has been undermined, and this no doubt will weaken the relationship.Tehran has learned to its cost that Russia is no longer a dependable ally.”
Russian-Iranian cooperationRussia has been Iran’s primary arms supplier, selling air defense systems, helicopters, and fighter jets to Tehran.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Iran has returned the favor by supplying Shahed combat drones to Moscow. Russia later licensed the technology and began producing the drones domestically.
Iranian youth stand under an Iranian-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2023. (Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / Getty Images) Shaheds have been the main combat drones used by Russia to attack Ukrainian cities.
In 2024, the U.S. also confirmed that Iran had started supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, although there is no evidence so far of their use against Ukraine.
The Iranian regime, which is subject to international sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program, has also been able to survive due to economic cooperation with Russia and other non-Western countries such as China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
In 2024, Russian-Iranian trade rose 16% year-on-year to $4.8 billion, making Russia Iran’s fifth-largest trading partner.
Strategic partnership dealIn January, Russia and Iran also concluded a 20-year strategic partnership agreement.
The deal envisages cooperation in the anti-terrorism, energy, financial, and cultural spheres. It also has clauses on technology, cybersecurity, and efforts to fight money laundering and organized crime.
According to the agreement, if one of the sides is attacked, the other side cannot provide military or any other help to the aggressor.
“Russia neither has the capacity to help nor the will to do so, given its experience in Syria, where it suffered a strategic loss.”
“I would say the agreements (between Russia and Iran) are substantive — as with all strategic partnerships they have their limits; they stop short of a mutual defence pact, which is why Russia was not obligated to provide military assistance to Iran,” Emily Ferris, a Russia expert at the Royal United Services Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.
She argued that “it was an important signal of long-term intent to deepen the relationship, particularly around trade” and “suggested that neither side saw Western sanctions being eased imminently.”
Can Russia help Iran?As Russia is focused on its war against Ukraine, its ability to help Iran is very limited. The Kremlin condemned the Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran but did not provide any material help.
"Russia is already overcommitted in Ukraine and does not have the military resources to spare to become embroiled in another conflict," Ferris said. "It did not give Iran air defense systems that could have moved the dial on the war in Iran's favor. Russia's offer of mediation was swiftly shot down by the Americans."
Quilliam also argued that "there is no evidence to suggest that Russia helped Iran in any material way during the war with Israel."
"Russia neither has the capacity to help nor the will to do so, given its experience in Syria, where it suffered a strategic loss," he added in a reference to the fall of dictator Bashar al Assad's regime in December 2024. "Should the war resume, it is unlikely that Russia will provide material aid to Iran, at least in the short term."
There are some ways in which Moscow is still able to help Iran, however.
"Iran will need diplomatic backing in the (UN) Security Council going forward, which Russia could provide," Aron Lund, a Middle East analyst at Century International, told the Kyiv Independent. "It will need help rebuilding its air defenses and its missile program. Whether Russia can afford to sell or share that kind of equipment is an open question."
He added that "military-industrial collaboration" between Iran and Russia is likely to continue.
Could Russia help Iran with nukes?One of the areas where Russia and Iran have cooperated is the nuclear sector.
Israel's main military objective in Iran was the destruction of nuclear facilities.
The Israeli government justified the attacks by saying that Iran was on the verge of creating a nuclear bomb. The Israeli government has sought to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons as Iranian leaders have repeatedly called for eliminating Israel.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on June 12 that Iran was in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations, although IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a June interview he had no proof that Tehran was currently developing a nuclear weapon.
Robert Kelley, an engineer with over 35 years of experience in the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons complex, said that Iran has the technological capacity to build a nuclear bomb and the only reason it has not done so is political.
“Did I hear former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (nuclear!), and saying that he and other countries would supply nuclear warheads to Iran?"
"If Iran started, they could (build a nuclear bomb) in less than 18 months, probably much less," he told the Kyiv Independent. "Depends on how much they saved from the nuclear weapons program that ended in 2003 and how good their progress was. The U.S. built two different nuclear weapons designs in 18 months in the 1940s and there is a lot more to go on now."
There are different assessments of the damage caused by Israeli and U.S. strikes to Iranian nuclear facilities during the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, DC, U.S. on June 24, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) Israel argued that it had caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear weapons program, while U.S. President Donald Trump claimed it had been "obliterated."
But CNN reported on June 24 that the U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities had not eliminated the core components of Tehran’s nuclear program and had likely delayed it by only a few months. The news outlet cited a leaked assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the country's security council, said on June 22 that "a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads" — a statement that some interpreted as a hint that Russia could help Iran to develop its nuclear weapons program.
On June 23, Trump lashed out at Medvedev.
“Did I hear former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (nuclear!), and saying that he and other countries would supply nuclear warheads to Iran?" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The 'N word' should not be treated so casually."
Medvedev responded the same day, arguing that Russia did not intend to supply Iran with nuclear weapons.
Nuclear non-proliferationRussia has been Iran's main partner in the civilian nuclear sector. It has built Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant and supplied the facility with enriched uranium.
At the same time, Russia has presented itself as a supporter of nuclear non-proliferation and opposed Iran's nuclear weapons program.
In 2015, Russia — along with the U.S., China, France, the U.K. and Germany — signed a deal to limit the Iranian nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
Missiles fired from Iran are pictured in the night sky over Jerusalem, Israel, on June 14, 2025. (Menahem Kahana / AFP via Getty Images) 
People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot in Tehran, Iran, on June 15, 2025. (Stringer/Getty Images) "So far, Russia has supported non-proliferation efforts in Iran," Marion Messmer, an arms control expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Indendent. "It doesn’t seem likely that a nuclear-armed Iran is in Russia’s interest — it would be disruptive in the Middle East, and it would give Iran more power when it’s likely that Russia prefers Iran to be the weaker party in the relationship."
Quilliam said that Russia "is unlikely to disrupt efforts to end Iran's nuclear program."
He added, however, that Moscow "may seek either to frustrate those efforts or come up with a creative diplomatic solution that serves its own interests, as it did with Syria’s chemical weapons issue."
Russia's regional influenceThe relationship between Moscow and Tehran is also changing because the influence of both Russia and Iran in the Middle East has decreased since 2023 as Israel dealt heavy blows to Iranian proxies.
One of them, the Gaza-based Islamist group Hamas, invaded Israeli territory, massacred 1,195 people, and took 251 people hostage in October 2023. Hezbollah, Iran's Lebanese proxy, also joined the war.
Since then, Israel has killed Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, destroyed much of their military infrastructure and invaded Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Russia's clout further diminished when the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was backed by Moscow and Tehran, collapsed in December 2024. Israel used the ensuing chaos to destroy the regime's military facilities and invaded southwestern Syria.
A bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorns Hama’s municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti-government fighters in Hama, Syria, on Dec. 6, 2024. (Omar Haj Kadour / AFP via Getty Images) Furthermore, Israel's attacks on Iran in 2024 and 2025, which destroyed much of the country's air defense and damaged nuclear enrichment facilities, weakened the Iranian regime itself.
"Russia has seen its influence and ability to project power into the Middle East diminish since Oct. 7, 2023 and the collapse of the Assad regime," Quilliam said. "Regional players have come to view the U.S. as a dependable ally, but they have now come to view Russia as a liability."
Lund also argued that "Russia will need to take changed realities into account" amid the weakening of Iran and its allies.
"It’s possible that Russia will want to re-balance its Middle Eastern position over the longer term, if Iran starts looking like a resource drain that can’t offer much in return," he added. "The Iran ties have been positive for Russia, but they also come at a cost – especially in relation to Israel, but also among the Gulf Arab states."
Spoiled relations with US and IsraelApart from the regional balance of power, the Israeli-Iranian war may also have an impact on Moscow’s relationship with Washington.
The U.S. joined the war against Iran on June 22, attacking three Iranian nuclear sites with bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Trump's support for Israel's war effort may potentially strain U.S.-Russian relations.
"Trump’s support for Israel and its participation in the Israel-Iran war is highly personalized," Quilliam said. "It has the potential to spoil relations between the U.S. and Russia but so much depends on Trump's temperament and his willingness to accommodate Putin's concerns."
He argued that Putin "will feel betrayed by Trump and, therefore, less willing to negotiate in good faith."
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets with Iran’s foreign minister at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on June 23, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov / Pool / AFP via Getty Images) "As such, Trump-Putin relations will likely cool, and this may force the U.S. to recalibrate its position towards Russia vis-a-vis Ukraine," Neil continued.
But other analysts argue that the impact of the Israeli-Iranian war on U.S.-Russian relations should not be overestimated.
"Israel’s interest is ultimately to get Russia to distance itself from Iran, and that’s one reason the Israelis are reluctant to see their ties with Moscow deteriorate too much."
"I don’t think this war makes much difference to Russian-American relations, to be honest," Lund said. "They had plenty to disagree on already. It could go the other way, too, if the war is followed by a diplomatic process. Russia will try to position itself as a facilitator of any new nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States."
He also said that the U.S. "needs Russian acquiescence or support in order to get a new Iran (nuclear) deal endorsed by the Security Council."
"So there is in fact some level of shared interest here, despite the very severe Russian-U.S. disagreements on most other things relating to Iran," Lund added.
Russian-Israeli relations have also been undermined by Israel's wars with Iran and its proxies.
Analysts say, however, that the Iranian-Israeli war will not lead to a complete break between Russia and Israel.
Quilliam argued that Russian-Israeli relations "will remain unchanged, as the two countries are accustomed to deconflicting interests in theatres of war, as they did in Syria."
Lund said that Russian-Israeli relations were "bad already" before the Iranian-Israeli war.
"In so far as we are now about to enter a diplomatic phase, Russia could try to act as a go-between for the Israelis, since it has relations with both parties," he added.
"Israel’s interest is ultimately to get Russia to distance itself from Iran, and that’s one reason the Israelis are reluctant to see their ties with Moscow deteriorate too much. They need to be able to continue that bargaining."
Note from the author:
Hello! My name is Oleg Sukhov, the guy who wrote this piece for you.
I was born in Russia and moved to Ukraine in 2014 because I couldn't stand the suffocating atmosphere of that semi-totalitarian country. I used to think it might be possible to transform Russia into a liberal Western-oriented country. Now it's clear that it's a lost cause.
But at least I can atone for the crimes of my homeland by exposing its barbaric aggression against Ukraine and providing objective and independent coverage of what is going on there. I'm also trying to contribute to Ukraine's transformation into a full-fledged Western liberal democracy strong enough to defeat Russia.
Our publication needs help from every one of you — support Ukrainian wartime journalism, become a member of the Kyiv Independent.
Smashing previous monthly record, Russia launches 5,337 kamikaze drones against Ukraine during June
Russia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in June, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force and Dragon Capital, smashing the previous record of 4,198 set in March.
Russia’s bombardments, a fact of life after three years of full-scale war, have intensified dramatically in May and June, with mass attacks becoming more frequent and more deadly.
Russia is now capable of launching in a single night as many drones as it did over an entire month in early summer 2024.
In June 2024 the number of drones launched was 332. On June 27 of this year alone Russia launched 363 drones, on June 17, 440, and on June 29, 477, in what was the largest aerial attack of the full-scale war.
Russian drones launched against Ukraine by month (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 24 that Russia has launched around 28,000 Shahed-type drones since 2022, with around 10% of them fired since the beginning of the month.
Almost all of Russia’s deep-strike drones are divided into three similar varieties — Iranian-made imported Shaheds, which have been in use since late 2022, Russian-made Gerans, which are direct copies of Shaheds, and more recently Garpiya-A1s, which look similar but use Chinese parts.
There are also inexpensive “dummy drones,” or Gerbers, which resemble Shaheds but do not carry explosives.
Gerbers distract Ukrainian radar and anti-aircraft fire and typically make up half of the drones sent into Ukraine in a given attack, a Ukrainian mobile defense group that shoots them down told the Kyiv Independent last month.
Often launched in coordination with cruise and ballistic missiles, Russian kamikaze drones have targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with renewed ferocity in recent weeks, killing dozens of civilians and injuring hundreds more.
“The windows were shattered, and smoke covered the place. We went outside and checked that everyone in the family was alive.”
On June 17, 2025 there was the deadliest attack on Kyiv since the start of the year when 30 people were killed in the capital, and 172 others injured during a nine-hour assault.
"My children were already in the bathroom. (My wife and I) were in the corridor. We heard the Shahed's descent, then the hit," Ivan Serebrianskyi, 42, an entrepreneur who lives in the damaged building told the Kyiv Independent on June 17, right after the attack.
A residential building damaged by a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 17, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk / Anadolu via Getty Images) 
Family members of those still missing under the debris gather at the site of a residential building hit by a Russian ballistic missile in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 17, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko / NurPhoto via Getty Images) "The windows were shattered, and smoke covered the place. We went outside and checked that everyone in the family was alive and well. It's the main thing," he added.
Over the past year and a half, there were only two days when Ukraine was not attacked by missiles and drones of various types, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said during a joint press conference with his German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadefuhl on June 30.
Russia will soon be able to deploy more than 500 long-range drones a night to attack Ukraine as it ramps up production and builds new launch sites for them, a source in Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent earlier this month.
According to the source, Russia's production rate for one type of drone — Shahed-type Gerans — is up to 70 units per day, from a reported 21 a day last year, and Moscow will soon have 12-15 new launch sites in operation.
China unveils its new ‘graphite bomb’ — here’s how they workChina’s state TV broadcaster has revealed details of a new “graphite bomb” that can cause a “complete loss of electricity” across an area of 10,000 square meters, or knock out entire power stations, the South China Morning Post reported on June 29. An animated video released by China’s CCTV showed a missile being launched from a ground-based launcher and then flying to a target where it releases 90 small submunitions. They then bounce on the ground before exploding amid a mock-up of an electri
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Russia responds to EU sanctions by blocking 15 European media outlets
On Monday, June 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that Moscow will block access to websites of 15 European media outlets. This move comes as a response to the European Union's 16th sanctions package, which targeted eight Russian publications and broadcasting channels, including Eurasia Daily, Lenta, and "Krasnaya Zvezda".
Moscow accused European entities of "escalating the sanctions spiral," while refraining from specifying which European media outlets would be affected by the blockade. The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that if restrictions on their domestic outlets and news channels are lifted, Russia would reconsider its stance on the European media.
The EU's 16th sanctions package was finalized on February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. This sweeping package included penalties against 48 individuals and 35 entities. Among the measures was an expansion in efforts to combat disinformation and a suspension of activities of eight more propaganda outlets targeting European audiences.
Publications such as EADaily/Eurasia Daily, Fondsk, Lenta, NewsFront, RuBaltic, SouthFront, Strategic Culture Foundation, and "Krasnaya Zvezda" were blacklisted for allegedly "supporting and justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine." Their broadcasting licenses within the EU have been suspended. Nevertheless, these sanctions don't prevent the outlets or their teams from conducting activities in the EU unrelated to broadcasting, such as research or interviews, according to Brussels officials.
Germany and Ukraine strengthen defense collaboration to counter Russian threats
Germany and Ukraine are planning to bolster their cooperation in the defense sector, according to Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha in Kyiv on Monday, June 30. This marks a "logical continuation" of Germany’s military assistance to Kyiv. According to Wadephul, both countries can benefit from defense cooperation. Germany stands to gain from a wide array of ideas and expertise from the Ukrainians in defense matters.
As part of this new phase of cooperation with Kyiv, there are plans to establish new joint ventures in the defense industry, aimed at allowing Ukraine to "produce defense products faster and in greater quantities." Wadephul emphasized the "enormous needs" of the embattled country.
Wadephul noted that Kyiv and Berlin are entering a new phase of cooperation. While Germany initially aided Ukraine with weapons, the need for German investment in the country is growing. He noted that companies are prepared to make such investments, albeit facing some bureaucratic and other obstacles.
Meanwhile, Andriy Sybiha expressed hope for receiving additional air defense systems from partners, as well as assistance in ramping up Ukraine's production capabilities. He reminded that Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, posing a threat to Euro-Atlantic security.
"The Russians target civilian structures to incite panic. To prevent this, bolstering our air defense systems is key," said the Ukrainian minister. He stressed the importance of producing air defense systems in Ukraine and bolstering an "aerial shield." "This cooperation with our German friends will also be mutually beneficial," Sybiha asserted.
During the talks with Wadephul, discussions centered on ways to halt Russian aggression against Ukraine and reduce the Russian threat to Europe. "We discussed achieving peace through strength, which entails two key components—strengthening Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia. We're grateful to Germany for playing a significant role in enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses. German weapons save Ukrainian lives. We also discussed German participation in Ukraine's production of long-range capabilities and UAVs, marking a mutually beneficial collaboration," reported Ukraine's Foreign Minister.
Accompanying Johann Wadephul on his first visit to Kyiv are representatives from German defense companies, and the visit includes planned meetings with Ukrainian business and political leaders. A meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also on the agenda.
Wadephul arrived in Kyiv with an unannounced visit early on June 30. The main focus is on further support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Upon his arrival, the German minister stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks Ukraine's capitulation, affirming that Germany will do everything possible to ensure Ukraine can successfully defend itself.
According to Germany’s Foreign Minister, Putin wants to prevent Ukraine from charting its own course. "His war is about nothing but subjugating Ukraine. Through relentless bombings, he terrorizes Ukrainians. Every day and night, people die in their homes—in Kyiv, in Odessa, in Dnipro. Yet, despite all the destruction and terror, Ukrainians continue to defend their country, their freedom, and their future with determination. They exhibit incredible courage, strength, and resilience, which deserve our deepest respect," he noted.
Russian airfields are under attack! Details of new SSU operations #shorts
Ukrainian military again denies reports on Russian troops entering Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
The Ukrainian military on June 30 denied the latest reports that Russian troops had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Since June 29, the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState has marked a “gray” zone in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, identifying potential fighting in this section of the front line. Near the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the zone extends almost a kilometer into the region.
Meanwhile, Kremlin propagandists claimed on Telegram that Russian troops had captured Dachne.
The reports were denied by spokespeople of two Ukrainian brigades and the Khortytsia group of forces on June 30, Suspilne reported.
The estimated Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as of June 29, 2025. (DeepState/OpenStreet Map) “There are very active battles in the villages located near the administrative border of the region,” Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, told Suspilne, adding that Ukraine is holding the defense line near the villages of Yalta, Komar, and Shevchenkove.
Tregubov added that Russian troops had not entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as of noon on June 30.
The press service of the 3rd brigade of the National Guard, stationed in the nearby Pokrovsk sector of the front line, also denied the information about the breakthrough.
Nazar Voitenkov, spokesperson for the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, based in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, also said that the Russian army had made no advances into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
“We are holding the defense line. The line is constantly changing, but the enemy has not broken through,” Voitenkov said.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center, said on Telegram that fighting is taking place near the region’s administrative border, and Russian FPV (first-person-view) drones are also flying into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast,
But despite the heavy battles, there is no breakthrough, he added.
The statements come as Russian troops continue their offensive in Donetsk Oblast, pushing closer to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a major industrial region in central Ukraine.
In mid-June, Ukraine’s military also denied reports that Russian troops had entered the region, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that Ukrainian troops had intercepted Russian reconnaissance units attempting to breach Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Russia pulls its scientists out of Iranian nuclear plant, as Israeli strikes threaten decades of collaborationIsrael’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have alarmed none more than Russia, the country that first brought nuclear power to Iran in defiance of Western objections. We’re “millimeters from catastrophe,” said Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on June 18 in response to a bombing campaign that Israel launched against Iran on June 13. Decades of conflict with the West have united Iran and Russia, despite a cultural gulf between the two nations that dwarfs the Caspian Sea that physically di
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TRIBUNAL for Russia? British missiles, drone trucks & strikes on Crimea | Front Line with @StarskyUA
Intense battles continue as Russian forces struggle to advance in Ukraine's Sumy and Pokrovsk regions
In a recent news broadcast, Viktor Trehubov, a representative of the Ukrainian Khortytsia operational-strategic military grouping, highlighted that intense battles continue across all front lines, with Russian forces attempting to advance in multiple directions.
According to Trehubov, the Russian summer offensive hit a stalemate in the Sumy region, yet fierce battles persist on numerous fronts.
Trehubov remarked that this could pertain to the Sumy area, where Russians, despite extensive preparations, achieved little. However, he clarified that it's not entirely accurate to state that the Russian summer campaign was universally unsuccessful across the Khortytsia zone of responsibility.
In the Pokrovsk direction, relentless fighting continues, with the Russian troops retaining the capability to sustain them. There are over 50 battle engagements each day, and Trehubov believes the intensity of these attacks can't increase further.
"The enemy has crossed the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway and is attempting to advance northwards. This means they might move towards Kostiantynivka or target the Pokrovsk-Myronivsk agglomeration from the east, or perhaps both," Trehubov predicted.
While he noted that the Russian forces aren't actively nearing the agglomeration, the situation remains perilous.
"They must be pushed back beyond the highway, and all available means must be used to diminish their attacking capabilities," he emphasized.
Trehubov also mentioned Russian efforts to advance south of Pokrovsk towards the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region, though these movements are already south of the city.
Trehubov emphasized the sheer number of 110,000 Russian troops operating in the Pokrovsk direction alone, suggesting that these numbers are unlikely to increase, as Russia has already deployed its resources in this region.
Andriy Demchenko from the State Border Service of Ukraine recently reported that defense forces have managed to stall the Russian advance in the Sumy region. The Russians suffer significant losses and hesitate to use armored vehicles.
Western media have reported that Russia has amassed 50,000 troops in the Sumy area. Russian forces are stationed just 20 kilometers from Sumy, with the Kremlin leveraging its superior numbers across the front.
Azerbaijan detains alleged Russian spies as relations with Moscow nosedive
Editor’s note: The story was updated after the Sputnik news agency disclosed the names of those detained in Baku.
Azerbaijani police detained two alleged agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on June 30 following searches at the Baku office of the Russian state-controlled news agency Sputnik, the Azerbaijani news outlet Apa.az reported.
Sputnik later elaborated that Igor Kartavykh, chief editor of Sputnik Azerbaijan, and Yevgeniy Belousov, managing editor, had been detained in Baku. The agency called the allegations that the detainees were FSB agents “absurd."
The move comes amid a major deterioration in Russian-Azerbaijani relations that followed the detention of over 50 Azerbaijanis as part of a murder investigation in Yekaterinburg on June 27. Two people died during the detentions, and three others were seriously injured.
The searches in the office of the Russian propaganda media outlet, which operates as a local branch of Russian state news agency Russia Today (RT), began on June 30.
The Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today, said that representatives of the Russian embassy in Baku were on their way to Sputnik’s office. Sputnik employees were offline and probably did not have access to phones, she added.
According to Simonyan, some of Sputnik’s employees were Russian citizens.
The Azerbaijani government ordered in February that the activities of Sputnik’s Azerbaijani office be suspended.
The authorities said that the move was intended to ensure parity in the activities of Azerbaijan’s state media abroad and foreign journalists in the country. This meant that the number of Sputnik Azerbaijan journalists working in Baku was to be equal to the number of journalists of the Azerbaijani news agency Azertadzh in Russia.
As a result, Sputnik Azerbaijan had to reduce its staff from 40 people to one but refused to do so and continued to operate despite the Azerbaijani government’s decision, according to Apa.az.
As the Russian-Azerbaijani relations deteriorate, Azerbaijan has cancelled all planned cultural events hosted alongside Russian state and private organizations, the country’s Culture Ministry announced on June 29.
The announcement followed the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens during police raids in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said on June 28 that Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov had died during a raid carried out by Russian authorities. Azerbaijan called the killings “ethnically motivated” and “unlawful” actions.
Baku called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and said it expected Moscow to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
In the meantime, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the detentions were carried out as part of an investigation into serious crimes. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that these were cases related to murders committed in 2001, 2010, and 2011.
Russia pulls its scientists out of Iranian nuclear plant, as Israeli strikes threaten decades of collaborationIsrael’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have alarmed none more than Russia, the country that first brought nuclear power to Iran in defiance of Western objections. We’re “millimeters from catastrophe,” said Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on June 18 in response to a bombing campaign that Israel launched against Iran on June 13. Decades of conflict with the West have united Iran and Russia, despite a cultural gulf between the two nations that dwarfs the Caspian Sea that physically di
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