Editor’s note: Cukr journalists contributed to the reporting of this article.

The Ukrainian city of Sumy was once again the target of a devastating Russian missile strike on June 3, with four people killed and 28 others, including three children, injured.

“The body of a man, killed in the attack, lay on the roadway. It was covered with a thermal blanket, weighed down by fire extinguishers and a bottle of water,” Cukr journalist Artem Korol told the Kyiv Independent.

“The air was thick with the smell of fuel, likely spilled from ruptured tanks. Remnants of the munition protruded from the asphalt, and dozens of small potholes in the road emerged around it,” Korol added

Russia launched the attack during rush hour. Anna Shpurik, also a journalist at Cukr, described how she saw the yellow number 55 bus stop at a red light moments before an explosion.

Shell fragments peppered the vehicle but all the passengers survived, the driver escaping with just an injured arm.

Four others were less fortunate, just the latest civilians killed in escalating Russian strikes on the oblast.

Sumy lies in northeastern Ukraine just over 30 kilometers from the Russian border, and has suffered relentless attacks from Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.

“At about 9 a.m., the Russians launched an insidious attack on the city center. One of the shells hit a busy road, right during the morning rush hour. People were just going about their daily business,” Oleh Hryhorov, head of Sumy Regional State Administration, said on Facebook.

Russia launched five attacks on Sumy using multiple launch rocket systems, according to local authorities.

The attack  set two cars ablaze, destroying them completely. A medical facility and residential buildings, a private house, and non-residential buildings were also damaged.

Sumy Oblast has recently seen renewed hostilities as Russian forces ramp up activity along the northeastern border.

In late May, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is accumulating 50,000 troops near Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area.

But even with the escalating recent attacks and tensions, the timing and brutality of the attack still shocked those in Sumy.

“No one ever expects this,” Ihor Klymenko, head of the Prolisok humanitarian center in Sumy Oblast, told the Kyiv Independent.

"People are a little nervous and in a state of shock because it is the city center during a working day."

When Klymenko arrived at the scene "the cars were still running, and there was blood on the asphalt".

"Leaves had fallen from the explosions, all covered in glass and blood," he added.

Later that morning, shops, kiosks, and a pharmacy were already open and operating along the street that was hit. After the blast shattered windows, employees swept up glass and talked on the phone with their relatives, assuring them they were safe, Shpurik said.

The attack came amid ongoing talks of a ceasefire and peace negotiations. A day before, on June 2, Russia and Ukraine held a second round of talks in Istanbul, which focused on a new prisoner exchange, but yet again failed to achieve a breakthrough in peace efforts.

"The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy — directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.

According to Zelensky, at least one of the projectiles used by Russia in the attack on Sumy failed to detonate, piercing the wall of a nine-story apartment building.

"That alone says everything one needs to know about Russia’s so-called 'desire' to end this war," he said.

Russia’s Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine’s SBU claims responsibility

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time during the full-scale war, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Key developments on June 3:

• Russia’s Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine’s SBU claims responsibility
• Russian strike on downtown Sumy kills at least 4, injures 28, authorities say
• Ukraine to deploy new units to counter Russian drone attacks, Air Force says
• Ukrainian strike on Russian bombers alarmed Kremlin over nuclear carriers vulnerability, Bloomberg reports
• Record number of Russians support peace talks, end of war in Ukraine, poll shows

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the third attack against the Crimean Bridge since Russia’s full-scale war began in 2022, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

“God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always brings what is conceived to the end and never repeats itself,” SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk said in a statement posted on social media.

“Previously, we struck the Crimean Bridge in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater,” he added.

The SBU said the operation “lasted for several months, with agents mining the “supports of this illegal construction."

Constructed after Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, the Crimean Bridge is a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

“And today, without inflicting any civilian casualties, the first explosive was activated at 4:44 a.m.,” the SBU said.

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Underwater supports of the bridge's piers were severely damaged at the bottom as 1,100 kilograms of explosives in TNT equivalent were detonated, according to the statement.

Russian state media later reported a "Ukrainian intelligence agent" who had constructed a bomb on "orders from Kyiv" had been detained by Russia's FSB.

In comments later on June 3, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, said the "key and most cpmplex" part of the bridge had been damaged in the attack.

The operation, which follows the SBU's mass drone strike against Russia's strategic aviation on June 1, was personally supervised by the agency's chief, Vasyl Maliuk.

A claimed "agent of Ukrainian intelligence services" has been detained in Crimea, Russia's Federal Security Service said later on June 3, accusing the detainee of producing a "powerful explosive."

The bridge suffered significant damage during two previous Ukrainian attacks in October 2022 and July 2023, though neither managed to take the bridge out of commission.

The construction of the bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, holds a significant symbolic value for Russia. The $4 billion project was a political statement designed to affirm the Kremlin's illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea, as the peninsula is not connected by land to Russia.

Russia's Defense Ministry previously claimed that three Ukrainian drones were downed over Crimea overnight on June 3.

The Crimean Bridge was closed for traffic between 6 and 9 a.m. local time on that day, according to local Telegram channels. The Mash Telegram channel reported that a Ukrainian drone was shot down over the bridge, and its debris fell onto the road.

According to pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind, the bridge had been closed down for inspection, possibly to examine damage.

Later the same day, Crimean Wind reported a new "powerful explosion" near Kerch at around 3 p.m., writing that a helicopter is patrolling the strait. Several local channels reported that a fresh drone attack against the peninsula was underway in the afternoon, and that the bridge is closed once again.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

Russian strike on downtown Sumy kills at least 4, injures 28, authorities say

Russian forces attacked downtown Sumy in Ukraine's northeast on June 3, killing four people and injuring 28 others, including three children, according to Ukrainian authorities.

According to preliminary reports, Russia launched five attacks on Sumy using multiple launch rocket systems.

"The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy — directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.

A 17-year-old was among the injured, with authorities describing the condition of many victims as serious.

At nearly 4:30 p.m. local time, the death toll rose to four after a 43-year-old man who was in a serious condition died in the hospital. His seven-year-old daughter was also severely injured in the Russian attack.

The attack reportedly set two cars ablaze, destroying them completely. A medical facility and residential buildings were also damaged.

At 7 p.m. local time, rescuers finished working at the sites of the attacks. Sappers also examined the affected area and removed the remains of explosives, the State Emergency Service reported.

Local authorities declared June 3 and 4 a day of mourning in Sumy.

According to Zelensky, at least one of the projectiles used by Russia in the attack on Sumy failed to detonate, piercing the wall of a nine-story apartment building.

"That alone says everything one needs to know about Russia's so-called 'desire' to end this war," he added, calling on the U.S. and Europe to increase pressure on Moscow.

Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The region has recently seen renewed hostilities as Russian forces ramp up activity along the northeastern border.

In late May, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is accumulating 50,000 troops near Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area.

As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensive

Reports of an imminent Russian summer offensive and troop build ups on Ukraine’s border are raising alarms in Sumy Oblast and fears that a large-scale assault could be on the horizon. Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 22 said he had ordered his military to create a “security buffer zone”

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

Ukraine to deploy new units to counter Russian drone attacks, Air Force says

New air defense units will be established to counter Russia's drone attacks on Ukraine, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda on June 2.

Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire, intensifying drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians.

Overnight on June 1, Russia launched an aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying a record 472 drones.

Ukrainian forces downed 210 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, while 172 more drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars, according to the Air Force.

"We would have liked to have had better results, but there were still dozens of hits," Ihant said.

According to Ihant, Russia employed tactics involving the launch of a large number of weapons at a single target that approached from high altitude. During their meeting on June 2, air force commanders emphasized the urgent need to strengthen drone air defense capabilities, he said.

"We are talking about anti-aircraft drones that help intercept air targets. Crews are being trained in different locations on the territory of our country. New units will be introduced," the spokesperson said.

Russia seeks to produce up to 500 drones per day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in late May.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has more than doubled its long-range drone production in 2024 compared to the previous year — a staggering 22-fold increase since 2022.

By the end of 2024, Ukraine had developed a total of 324 new types of weapons, according to the Ministry of Strategic Industries.

Exclusive: Russia’s ballistic missile production up at least 66% over past year, according to Ukrainian intel figures

Russia’s production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year, according to data from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent. According to data obtained by HUR, Moscow is now producing 60 to 70 Iskander-M — the ballistic version of the missile — and 10

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Ukrainian strike on Russian bombers alarmed Kremlin over nuclear carriers vulnerability, Bloomberg reports

A recent Ukrainian drone strike deep inside Russian territory has sparked anger and concern among Kremlin officials over the exposed vulnerability of a nuclear-capable air force far from the front lines, Bloomberg reported on June 2, citing undisclosed sources close to senior Moscow officials.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the operation "Spiderweb" on June 1, targeting Russian air bases at Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo with drones hidden in trucks across Russia.

The strike is claimed to have hit 41 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. These planes belong to Russia's nuclear-capable air fleet and are used to launch cruise missile attacks on Ukraine's cities.

Ukraine's General Staff said in its daily update on June 3 that Russian forces lost 12 aircraft, without elaborating on the types of destroyed planes or whether more had been damaged.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg that the number of affected aircraft may be closer to 10. According to the outlet's sources, only a small number of the targeted Russian bombers are required for strikes against Ukraine, meaning the pace of missile and bombing attacks is unlikely to slow.

The SBU claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia's cruise missile bombers.

Independent confirmation of the damage caused is so far limited to satellite images of Belaya air base, which appear to confirm the destruction of at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged.

Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field.

Record number of Russians support peace talks, end of war in Ukraine, poll shows

The number of Russian citizens who support peace talks and an end to the war in Ukraine has reached a record high since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to a poll by the independent Russian pollster Levada Center published on June 2.

Some 64% of the respondents favored peace talks, representing a 6% increase since March. Meanwhile, the number of people who supported the war's continuation decreased from 34% in March to 28% in May.

Compared to previous survey results, in May 2023, 48% of respondents believed that the war should continue. In May 2024, this figure dropped to 43%.

The news comes after the second round of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia occurred in Istanbul. The parties agreed on a new prisoner exchange, as well as the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. No agreement on a ceasefire was reached.

The share of supporters of peaceful negotiations is higher among women (73%), people under 24 (77%), residents of villages and towns with populations under 100,000 (67% each), as well as those who believe that the country is going in the wrong direction (76%) and those who disapprove of Russian President Vladimir Putin's presidential performance (77%).

The share of those who support continuing the war is higher among men (39%), respondents aged 55 and older (35%), residents of Moscow (40%), those who believe that things in the country are going in the right direction (32%), and those who approve of the activities of the current president (30%).

A majority of respondents (73%) believe that Russia and Ukraine should address the hostilities' root causes and only then agree on a ceasefire. On the contrary, some 18% think that the parties will first reach a truce and ceasefire and then resolve all other issues.

Only 3% of Russians believe Russia is an obstacle to peace. At the same time, 14% of respondents believe that the U.S. is to blame, while 36% each see Ukraine and European countries as major obstacles in peace negotiations.

The center conducted the survey from May 22 to 28, involving 1,613 people aged 18 and older in 50 regions of Russia.

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.

Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces after submitting his resignation as Ground Forces Commander, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 3.

Drapatyi resigned from his previous role on June 1 following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast earlier that day.

He was then summoned to a meeting with Zelensky on June 3.

“I explained to the president the reasons for my decision (to resign). The president heard me, supported me, and suggested that we focus on the main issues — the war, the front line, and victory,” Drapatyi wrote on Telegram.

The commander also emphasized the need to change the culture of commanders' attitudes toward their soldiers, the performance of their duties, and the value of the life of every Ukrainian soldier.

“I received a task from the president. I am staying in the ranks, on the front line. Where I have to be, where I can do the most,” Drapatyi said.

During his evening address, Zelensky said that Drapatyi would be appointed Commander of the Joint Forces and focus “exclusively on combat issues.”

The Russian strike in question hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro, on June 1. Drapatyi, confirming the location and when announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who “should have learned, lived, and fought — not died."

The attack killed 12 people and injured more than 60 others, according to the Ground Forces press office.

The Ground Forces said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability.

Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March.

Russia had previously attacked Ukrainian training grounds several times when Ukrainian soldiers were lining up to be awarded for their service.

The attacks, which resulted in heavy casualties, provoked criticism of the top military leadership, which allowed negligence at military facilities.

As Ukraine’s fate hangs in the balance, ‘Soviet’ command culture damages war effort

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the official response to the Kyiv Independent from Ukraine’s General Staff, which came a few days after initial publication. Last February, a Ukrainian company commander going by his callsign Veter was ordered to send his people to reinforce another unit’s

The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak

Ukraine was jubilant on June 1 as news filtered through of a stunning drone attack targeting Russian heavy bombers that simultaneously attacked four air bases, two of them thousands of miles inside Russia. The operation reportedly damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian heavy bombers. The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York explains everything we know about Operation Spiderweb.

In everyday life, these people might appear normal: they have no physical wounds, their loved ones and children are alive by their side.

But Ukrainian photographer Sergey Melnitchenko’s black-and-white portraits reveal the chilling depths that stand between his subjects and normalcy. They gaze outward with calm, matter-of-fact expressions, while the massive superimposed projection of their most haunting war memories distorts their features.

The subjects choose the photos themselves, said Melnitchenko, who features his friends, fiancée, and son in a conceptual photography project, “Tattoos of war."

The photo — either taken by the subjects or sourced on news websites — represents the most painful memory they associate with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. After more than three years of relentless Russian attacks on the country that have killed tens of thousands of people, Ukrainians face no shortage of such memories.

“It is an impossible task, in fact,” Melnitchenko told the Kyiv Independent. “Because everyone has hundreds of these memories. You have to choose one, as if to convince yourself that this event was the most difficult, the most tragic. Although every event that concerns our country during the war is the worst."

For Melnitchenko, each photo from the project carries the weight of events that he and his subjects can still hardly comprehend.

One of the most challenging portraits for him was a photo of his friends Maryna and Serhii against the backdrop of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration in their native city, destroyed by a Russian missile on March 29, 2022.

As a result of the attack, the central section of the building collapsed from the ninth to the first floor, killing 37 people. Maryna and Serhii fled the city a year ago, but the memory — a “tattoo” —  will stay with them forever, Melnitchenko says in his photo book about the project.

But during the last shoot from the series at the end of 2024 with the family of Andrii, Viktoria, and their daughter Kira, Melnitchenko witnessed for the first time how one could transform their tragic memories into a source of strength.

The family chose a photo of a beach with pine trees on a riverbank of the Dnipro River, where they loved spending time before the full-scale invasion began.

Russia currently occupies this beach in Kakhovka, Kherson region. But even under occupation, the vision from the photograph is probably long gone, as Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant’s dam reshaped the water terrain in the oblast.

According to the photographer, the family found it therapeutic to process the loss of their favorite place by visually exposing its impact.

“When Russians destroy our favorite places, or places of our memories, they are trying to take away not only this place physically, but also our good memories of them,” Melnitchenko said.

“This family was the first of all the heroes to choose not a photo of devastation as a background, but a photo with a place of their strength and pleasant memories,” he added.

Growing up under missiles — Ukrainian childhoods shaped by war (Photos)

Ukrainian children are growing up in a world entirely reshaped by Russia’s war. Sirens, blackouts, and bomb shelters are nothing extraordinary — but a part of everyday childhood. This photo story follows five families as they raise their children in the shadow of the ongoing invasion. It’s not about

The Kyiv IndependentElena Kalinichenko

A trilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be organized in the near future, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on June 3, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported.

The Kremlin’s statement comes a day after the White House said that Trump would not rule out participating in this format of talks.

“Frankly speaking, it is unlikely that (it will happen) soon,” Peskov said in response to a question about whether the three leaders would meet in the near future.

Peskov added that Putin had already expressed his readiness for a high-level meeting, but that it must result from agreements reached at “the technical and expert stages."

Putin had previously said he was ready to meet with Zelensky. However, when the Ukrainian leader invited him to hold the highest-level talks in Turkey on May 16, Putin did not attend.

Consequently, Ukraine and Russia held their first direct talks since 2022, but at a lower level than planned, without the participation of the countries' leaders.

The Russian and Ukrainian delegations held the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, failing to reach a ceasefire. But the parties agreed to a new prisoner exchange, as well as the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia, a member of the Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul, said that during the talks, Russia did not agree to a ceasefire and refused to hold a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

Exclusive: Russia’s ballistic missile production up at least 66% over past year, according to Ukrainian intel figures

Russia’s production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year, according to data from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent. According to data obtained by HUR, Moscow is now producing 60 to 70 Iskander-M — the ballistic version of the missile — and 10

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

The number of Russian citizens who support peace talks and an end to the war in Ukraine has reached a record high since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to a poll by the independent Russian pollster Levada Center published on June 2.

Some 64% of the respondents favored peace talks, representing a 6% increase since March. Meanwhile, the number of people who supported the war’s continuation decreased from 34% in March to 28% in May.

Compared to previous survey results, in May 2023, 48% of respondents believed that the war should continue. In May 2024, this figure dropped to 43%.

The news comes after the second round of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia occurred in Istanbul. The parties agreed on a new prisoner exchange, as well as the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. No agreement on a ceasefire was reached.

The share of supporters of peaceful negotiations is higher among women (73%), people under 24 (77%), residents of villages and towns with populations under 100,000 (67% each), as well as those who believe that the country is going in the wrong direction (76%) and those who disapprove of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presidential performance (77%).

The share of those who support continuing the war is higher among men (39%), respondents aged 55 and older (35%), residents of Moscow (40%), those who believe that things in the country are going in the right direction (32%), and those who approve of the activities of the current president (30%).

A majority of respondents (73%) believe that Russia and Ukraine should address the hostilities' root causes and only then agree on a ceasefire. On the contrary, some 18% think that the parties will first reach a truce and ceasefire and then resolve all other issues.

Only 3% of Russians believe Russia is an obstacle to peace. At the same time, 14% of respondents believe that the U.S. is to blame, while 36% each see Ukraine and European countries as major obstacles in peace negotiations.

The center conducted the survey from May 22 to 28, involving 1,613 people aged 18 and older in 50 regions of Russia.

Growing up under missiles — Ukrainian childhoods shaped by war (Photos)

Ukrainian children are growing up in a world entirely reshaped by Russia’s war. Sirens, blackouts, and bomb shelters are nothing extraordinary — but a part of everyday childhood. This photo story follows five families as they raise their children in the shadow of the ongoing invasion. It’s not about

The Kyiv IndependentElena Kalinichenko

Ukraine hit 41 Russian military aircraft during Operation Spiderweb, Ukraine’s General Staff said on June 3.

“After processing additional information from various sources and verifying it, which took some time, we inform you that the total losses of the occupiers amounted to 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers and other types of combat aircraft,” it said in a statement posted on social media.

It gave no further details on the type of aircraft hit or the extent of the damage caused to them.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) operation, dubbed “Spiderweb,” allegedly destroyed or damaged A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 planes parked at the Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo air bases on June 1.

Kyiv has claimed it had disabled 34% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet in what is seen as one of the most daring operations during the full-scale war. The strike reportedly involved 117 drones launched from trucks hidden across Russian territory.

Ukraine has pioneered drone technology during Russia’s full-scale war, introducing various ground-, air-, and sea-based models for combat and reconnaissance missions.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 30 that Ukrainian soldiers hit and destroyed in May more than 89,000 Russian targets using drones of various types.

Ukraine is working to scale up domestic production. Kyiv has also developed long-range missile-drone hybrids, including the Palianytsia and Peklo models, which use turbojet engines as cruise missile alternatives.

By the end of 2024, Ukraine had developed a total of 324 new types of weapons, according to the Ministry of Strategic Industries.

‘Closer to victory’ – Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war

A large-scale drone attack carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which reportedly destroyed or damaged 41 Russian heavy bombers on June 1, brought a much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians. Codenamed “Spiderweb,” the operation targeted the strategic aircraft that Russia uses for long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The

The Kyiv IndependentLinda Hourani

Russia’s production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year, according to data from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent.

According to data obtained by HUR, Moscow is now producing 60 to 70 Iskander-M — the ballistic version of the missile — and 10 to 15 hypersonic Kinzhals per month.

This compares to a reported 40 Iskander-Ms in May 2024, and a reported 4–5 Kinzhals in April 2024.

At the lower range, this is an increase in production of 66.67%. At the higher range, 88.89%.

Ballistic attacks on Ukraine have become more deadly in recent months as stockpiles of air defense missiles, particularly for U.S.-made Patriots, have dwindled.

The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent show Russian stockpiles of “almost 600 Iskander-Ms” and “over 100” Kinzhals.

At the end of 2022, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Russia was almost out of Iskander ballistic missiles. By December 2024, HUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov noted that Russia had increased production to somewhere between 40 and 50 Iskander missiles per month.

Russia’s expanded production is a cause for alarm in Ukraine.

If HUR’s figures are correct, Russia’s production of ballistic missiles today outnumbers total production of PAC-3 MSE missiles for Patriot air defense systems, the preferred anti-ballistic defenses for much of Europe, which Lockheed Martin hopes to boost to 650 per year by 2027.

Other Western systems like the SAMP/T and IRIS-T have not proved effective against ballistic missiles.

Russia has moreover reportedly outfitted the newest Iskanders with radar decoys and less predictable flight paths, making them harder to shoot down even with Patriot systems.

Ukraine’s military intelligence has also estimated that Russia is holding a stockpile of 60 North Korean KN-23s. These missiles are similar to the Iskander-Ms, but carry a one-ton warhead, more powerful than their Russian equivalents.

The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent further show that total production for cruise missiles has also continued to grow.

Russia can produce 20 to 30 Iskander-Ks, 60 to 70 X-101s, 25 to 30 Kalibrs, up to 10 X-32s and 20-30 Onyx and Zircon anti-ship missiles.

A massive Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields on June 1 may have restricted Russia’s ability to launch several of these cruise missiles.

Tu-95M3s often carry Kh-55/Kh-555 or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles. The Tu-22 carries the Kh-22 missiles.Both of these types of aircraft are among those reported to have been damaged in Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb.

During wartime, Ukraine has also built out its production of its own cruise and ballistic missiles.

But large-scale production of types of missiles depend on major industrial zones that often fall victim to Russian air strikes — particularly when limited air defenses are being rationed.

Russia’s Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine’s SBU claims responsibility

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time during the full-scale war, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Ukrainian citizen Roman Lavrynovych, suspected of setting fire to property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, may have been recruited by Russia via the Telegram messaging app, RFE/RL’s Schemes investigative project reported on June 3.

Two properties and a car linked to Starmer were targeted in arson attacks in the first half of May.

Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old working as a model and a roofer, was charged on May 15. He allegedly set a car that Starmer previously sold to a neighbor on fire on May 8. The suspect also allegedly started fires at Starmer’s two former residences on May 11 and 12.

The police said the property suffered damage, but no one was injured.

An analysis of Lavrynovych’s social media activity revealed that between 2022 and 2025, he actively searched for work through various Telegram channels aimed at foreigners in London. His most recent job-seeking post appeared in the London UA group on May 2, days before a car linked to Starmer was set ablaze in London.

“Looking for a job, I will consider any options,” Lavrynovych wrote.

Soon after, a user named Yurii replied, asking Lavrynovych to message him privately. Yurii had joined London UA only a few days prior to the dialog, according to Schemes.

Another Ukrainian citizen, Petro Pochynok, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, is expected to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on May 21.

Stanislav Carpiuc, a Russian-speaking Romanian national born in Ukraine, was also charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in the attacks, the Financial Times reported on May 23.

Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of using covert sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation as part of its broader campaign to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine during the Russian large-scale war.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) warned on June 2 that Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to recruit Ukrainian nationals for illegal operations across the European Union.

Operation Spiderweb — everything we know about Ukraine’s ‘audacious’ attack on Russia’s heavy bombers

Ukraine was jubilant on June 1 as news filtered through of a stunning drone attack targeting Russian heavy bombers, that simultaneously targeted four air bases, two of them thousands of miles inside Russia. “Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia — this is the result of a special operation

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Just two days after a stunning Russia-wide covert operation, Ukraine’s secret services have struck another blow deep behind enemy lines.

As the sun was rising this morning, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Kerch Bridge for a third time.

The Kerch Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, is a structure that connects Russia with occupied Crimea. It’s the longest bridge in Europe – and the longest bridge ever built by Russia.

It has served as a critical way for Russia to integrate its occupied territory into the country, and as a logistics connection for Russian troops.

This SBU operation is unique, as it appears to have been carried out underwater.

Read more

Russian ex-President Dmitry Medvedev’s statement that Russia seeks only a “swift victory” and the “complete destruction” of the Ukrainian government at the Istanbul peace talks is a “rare moment of honesty,” U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 3.

“I appreciate you making it clear to the world that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Russia are not remotely interested in peace,” said Graham, a Republican lawmaker backing a bill on major new sanctions against Russia.

Graham made the statement in reaction to Medvedev’s Telegram post, in which the deputy chairman of the Russian security council admitted that “the Istanbul negotiations are not intended for reaching a compromise peace based on someone’s unrealistic conditions."

Russia and Ukraine held the second round of peace negotiations on June 2, during which Russia yet again rejected a long-term ceasefire and instead presented a memorandum with a list of harsh demands on Kyiv.

These reportedly included official recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories, Ukraine’s full withdrawal from four partially occupied regions, a ban on joining NATO, limits on the military, and more conditions.

Moscow’s real goal in the talks is a “swift victory and the complete destruction” of the Ukrainian government, Medvedev said. He referred to Ukrainian authorities as a “neo-Nazi regime,” referring to Russia’s false narratives about the Nazi-led government in Kyiv that were used as a pretext for Russian aggression.

“This is the meaning of the Russian memorandum published yesterday (June 2).” Medvedev has gained notoriety during the full-scale war for his theatrical and incendiary remarks aimed at Ukraine and its Western partners.

During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation also presented a peace proposal, which included a prisoner swap in an all-for-all format, the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the release of all civilians held in Russian captivity.

According to the Ukrainian proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv would retain its right to join the EU and NATO. Ukraine also highlighted the need for security guarantees to avoid further Russian invasion.

Like the first round of talks on May 16, this week’s negotiations ended without any tangible progress toward a long-term ceasefire or a peace deal. Instead, the two parties agreed on a new prisoner exchange, which could involve up to 1,200 prisoners on each side.

Moscow also proposed a brief ceasefire lasting up to three days to collect the bodies of fallen soldiers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called upon U.S. President Donald Trump to adopt tougher sanctions against Russia if the Istanbul talks fail to achieve progress. A bipartisan bill proposed by Graham, which he said will “start moving” forward this week, would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.

BREAKING: Russia’s Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine’s SBU claims responsibility

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time during the full-scale war, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

New air defense units will be established to counter Russia’s drone attacks on Ukraine, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda on June 2.

Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire, intensifying drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians.

Overnight on June 1, Russia launched an aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying a record 472 drones.

Ukrainian forces downed 210 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, while 172 more drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars, according to the Air Force.

“We would have liked to have had better results, but there were still dozens of hits,” Ihant said.

According to Ihant, Russia employed tactics involving the launch of a large number of weapons at a single target that approached from high altitude. During their meeting on June 2, air force commanders emphasized the urgent need to strengthen drone air defense capabilities, he said.

“We are talking about anti-aircraft drones that help intercept air targets. Crews are being trained in different locations on the territory of our country. New units will be introduced,” the spokesperson said.

Russia seeks to produce up to 500 drones per day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in late May.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has more than doubled its long-range drone production in 2024 compared to the previous year—a staggering 22-fold increase since 2022.

By the end of 2024, Ukraine had developed a total of 324 new types of weapons, according to the Ministry of Strategic Industries.

How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

Beginning overnight on Saturday, May 24, Russia rained down nearly a thousand drones and missiles on villages and cities across Ukraine in three nights of large-scale aerial attacks, as civilians spent hours sheltering underground. Russia’s bombardment killed more than a dozen people and injured dozens more, in one of

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the third attack against the Crimean Bridge during the full-scale war, mining and damaging its underwater supports, the SBU announced on June 3.

“The operation lasted for several months. SBU agents mined the supports of this illegal construction,” the SBU said on Telegram.

Constructed after Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, the Crimean Bridge is a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

“And today, without inflicting any civilian casualties, the first explosive was activated at 4:44 a.m.,” the SBU said.

Underwater supports of the bridge’s piers were severely damaged at the bottom as 1,100 kilograms of explosives in TNT equivalent were detonated, according to the statement.

The operation, which follows Ukraine’s mass drone strike against Russia’s strategic aviation on June 1, was personally supervised by SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk.

The bridge suffered significant damage during two previous Ukrainian attacks in October 2022 and July 2023, though neither managed to take the bridge out of commission. It also holds a significant symbolic value, as the $4 billion project was a political statement designed to affirm Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

Russia’s Defense Ministry previously claimed that three Ukrainian drones were downed over Crimea overnight on June 3.

The same day, the Crimean Bridge was closed between 6 and 9 a.m. local time, according to local Telegram channels. The Mash Telegram channel reported that a Ukrainian drone was shot down over the bridge, and its debris fell onto the road.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

Operation Spiderweb — everything we know about Ukraine’s ‘audacious’ attack on Russia’s heavy bombers

Ukraine was jubilant on June 1 as news filtered through of a stunning drone attack targeting Russian heavy bombers, that simultaneously targeted four air bases, two of them thousands of miles inside Russia. “Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia — this is the result of a special operation

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

A recent Ukrainian drone strike deep inside Russian territory has sparked anger and concern among Kremlin officials over the exposed vulnerability of a nuclear-capable air force far from the front lines, Bloomberg reported on June 2, citing undisclosed sources close to senior Moscow officials.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the operation “Spiderweb” on June 1, targeting Russian air bases at Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo with drones hidden in trucks across Russia.

The strike is claimed to have hit 41 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. These planes belong to Russia’s nuclear-capable air fleet and are used to launch cruise missile attacks on Ukraine’s cities.

Ukraine’s General Staff said in its daily update on June 3 that Russian forces lost 12 aircraft, without elaborating on the types of destroyed planes or whether more had been damaged.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg that the number of affected aircraft may be closer to 10. According to the outlet’s sources, only a small number of the targeted Russian bombers are required for strikes against Ukraine, meaning the pace of missile and bombing attacks is unlikely to slow.

The SBU claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia’s cruise missile bombers.

Independent confirmation of the damage caused is so far limited to satellite images of Belaya air base, which appear to confirm the destruction of at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged.

Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field.

‘Grounds for a nuclear attack’ — Russian propagandists react to Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb

Russian officials and propagandists have chosen different strategies for dealing with the unprecedented Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian airfields that took place on June 1. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that, as part of an operation dubbed Spiderweb, it had destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft parked at

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill on establishing the institution of a military ombudsman in the first reading on June 3, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.

The legislation was supported by 287 lawmakers, with 25 abstaining and none voting against it. Bills must pass two readings and be signed by the president before becoming law.

Ukraine first unveiled the office in April 2024 to ensure soldiers had a mechanism to report violations of their rights.

The military ombudsman “will be responsible for considering appeals and complaints of service members, providing primary legal assistance, conducting inspections, and investigating violations of the rights of service members and their family members,” the Defense Ministry said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has tapped Olha Reshetylova, formerly a journalist and human rights activist, as the first military ombudsman.

The Military Ombudsman Office will be established as a civilian oversight body over the security and defense sector. The legislation also establishes procedures for military personnel to submit complaints and for the inspection of military units.

As Ukraine entered the fourth year of the full-scale war with Russia, several units have faced accusations of misconduct and abuse within their ranks.

Most recently, the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Brigade is under investigation for alleged involvement of its command in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes.

Last December, the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade was detained for failing to address abuse and torture allegations involving his subordinates.

‘Closer to victory’ – Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war

A large-scale drone attack carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which reportedly destroyed or damaged 41 Russian heavy bombers on June 1, brought a much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians. Codenamed “Spiderweb,” the operation targeted the strategic aircraft that Russia uses for long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The

The Kyiv IndependentLinda Hourani

Ukraine has been invited to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague between June 24 and 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a June 2 online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

“We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important,” Zelensky said, adding that he held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the Vilnius summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries on June 2.

“Now, (Foreign Minister Andrii) Sybiha will be speaking with his colleagues regarding infrastructure and what potential outcomes may arise from this summit in The Hague."

Zelensky did not specify who would be representing Ukraine at the summit or whether he would attend the event himself.

The statement follows speculations that the allies decided not to invite Ukraine to the annual summit due to opposition from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later denied the claims, and the Netherlands said it would welcome Zelensky’s attendance.

At the previous NATO summit in Washington in 2024, Zelensky was a prominent presence, engaging directly with allied leaders. This year, the tone appears more cautious as NATO members weigh how to handle Ukraine’s future in the alliance amid renewed questions about U.S. commitment.

Trump has claimed that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership, a narrative often used by Russian propaganda to justify its 2022 full-scale invasion. He also signaled plans to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe and has been reluctant to provide new military support to Kyiv.

Earlier reporting suggested that this year’s communique may omit direct mention of both Russia and Ukraine — a contrast to past summits where Ukraine dominated the agenda.

‘Idiots’ — Zelensky slams Russia’s proposal for brief truce to retrieve fallen soldiers’ bodies

“They just don’t see a ceasefire as such at the moment,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 2, commenting on Russia’s proposal. “I think they’re idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead.”

The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced support on June 2 for a Senate-backed bill aimed at strengthening sanctions against Russia, the New York Post reported.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said in late May that they are ready to vote on a bill on sanctions against Russia if peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine war do not progress soon.

The bill, introduced to the Senate in early April, would impose new penalties on Russia and slap 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium.

“There’s many members of Congress that want us to sanction Russia as strongly as we can,” Johnson said. “And I’m an advocate of that."

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach.

“If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further.

Russia and Ukraine held a second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. Kyiv presented a peace proposal that reportedly included potential easing of sanctions on Moscow, among other clauses.

The condition proposed by Ukraine is that sanctions are automatically renewed if the ceasefire agreement is broken.

Following the new round of talks, Russia proposed a limited two- to three-day ceasefire in specific front-line areas to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers, while continuing to disregard Ukraine’s call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire supported by Western partners.

Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more

Sanctions on their own won’t end the war, but they are a crucial tool in the West’s efforts to pressure Putin.

The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

Installation russo-biélorusse à un spaghetti de Lampedusa

A l’occasion du 11e anniversaire de la « Révolution de la Dignité » (1), un défilé militaire a eu lieu le 26 mai 2025 à Qaminis dans un camp en cours de construction nommé Khalifa Haftar Military City en présence du maréchal Khalifa Haftar, du président de la Chambre des représentants libyenne Aguila Saleh, du chef du gouvernement libyen Ossama Hamad, ainsi que de délégations officielles de plusieurs pays. Cette parade militaire, outil d’influence majeur dans une nouvelle période d’instabilité politique en Libye, a eu lieu dans un camp militaire en cours de construction nommé Khalifa Haftar Military Camp.

Lors de ce défilé militaire, une occasion rare où les pouvoirs de l’Est et de l’Ouest se retrouvent, le maréchal Khalifa Haftar a indiqué dans un discours : « Nous sommes avec la volonté du peuple libyen et à son service ». Il a également affirmé que « l’objectif premier et ultime de l’armée nationale est de rétablir l’État libyen, sa souveraineté et de renforcer la sécurité et la stabilité, pour que la Libye soit sûre, stable et unie »

L’armée du pouvoir de l’Est libyen qui trouve ses locaux à Benghazi a voulu montrer qu’elle était prête à défendre le pays face aux défis politiques et sécuritaires actuels, dans un message adressé tant à l’interne qu’à l’externe. « Les forces armées libyennes ont toujours été et resteront un sujet d’attention et de soutien à tous les niveaux, afin de leur permettre d’accomplir leurs missions avec compétence et succès, au service de la nation et pour garantir l’avenir de ses enfants », a déclaré Khalifa Haftar lors de sa prise de parole.

Ce défilé militaire aura permis de voir une forte augmentation capacitaire des troupes affiliées au maréchal Haftar et pour partie commandée par son fils Saddam Haftar. Il aura permis de voir aussi qu’il se déroule sous l’œil bienveillant du partenaire russe qui aura dépêché pour l’occasion son vice-ministre de la Défense Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.

Au-delà de voir des matériels en provenance de Russie et de Biélorussie, il est intéressant de se rappeler que les dernières semaines ont été ponctuées de combats à Tripoli entre milices suite au meurtre d’Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, chef de la milice nommée Stability Support Apparatus (SSA). Al-Kikli a été tué lors d’un incident à Tripoli dans une installation gérée par une milice rivale appelée la Brigade 444, commandée par Mahmoud Hamza, le 12 mai 2025. Sa mort a déclenché des affrontements entre la SSA et la Brigade 444. Ce meurtre aura surtout servi de catalyseur dans la résurgence de la volonté de voir le Premier Ministre Dbeibah quitter ses fonctions, volonté portée à la fois par une partie de la classe politique libyenne et largement exploitée par le maréchal Haftar. Dbeibah a habilement manoeuvré pour dissoudre les milices rivales, entraînant leurs mobilisations. Et cette reprise des affrontements est une nouvelle opportunité d’Haftar, ce dernier n’envisage aucunement d’abandonner son projet de conquête de Tripoli, et dans l’hypothèse où il ne pourrait pas y accéder, il a mis sur les mêmes rails son fils Saddam.

En réalité, la véritable force de Dbeibah réside non pas dans la force de ceux qui le soutiennent mais dans les incohérences de ceux qui veulent le remplacer. dans un contexte de pré-effondrement politique d’un système à bout de souffle mais incapable de se remettre en cause va voir émerger un système de gouvernance qui devra immédiatement montrer qu’il est légitime et soutenu. Et en cela, Haftar part avec des atouts majeurs.

Russie et Biélorussie aux portes de l’Europe

Le maréchal Haftar a cherché à maintenir des relations intéressées avec la Russie mais pas uniquement puisque les américains, égyptiens et émiratis ont envoyé des émissaires réguliers auprès du chef militaire de l’Est libyen. Un autre partenaire plus discret reste en embuscade : la Chine. Par son offre de drones armés très intéressante en termes de coûts, la Chine est aujourd’hui en position de conquête en Afrique en général et la Libye n’échappe pas à la règle.

La Russie aura cherché à se trouver un point d’entrée en Afrique du Nord après son départ contraint de Syrie comme nous l’avions expliqué avec nos notes en mai 2024 et en février 2025. Ce besoin russe de disposer d’un point stratégique logistique et le besoin de liquidités issus des ventes d’armement ont savamment été exploités par Haftar qui a besoin de montrer qu’il reste incontournable dans un nouveau tour de table en Libye pour voir se mettre en place un gouvernement unique.

Pour la Russie, cette montée en capacité libyenne est bénéfique car en plus des entrées d’argent frais ou de paiement en nature (carburant, or), elle est aussi un outil d’influence important dans un moment où l’armement présent en Libye est hétéroclite : américain, turc, russe. 

Dans une vidéo de la visite du complexe Khalifa Haftar Military Camp, il est possible d’observer une cabine de vol relatif, un simulateur de parachutisme et un système de formation et de simulation informatisée. Un représentant de la société LOGOS a ainsi pu présenter les différents scénarios disponibles.

En réalité, le véritable point stratégique est que désormais à la frontière Sud de l’Europe, à 350 km de l’île de Lampedusa, on assiste à une augmentation importante de l’empreinte sino-russe. Avec des enjeux majeurs sur la sécurité économique liée à l’approvisionnement pétrolier et gazier des pays européens, la gestion des flux migratoires dont certains partent ou traversent des pays où sont présents Wagner et Africa Corps. Et cette présence et influence sur le retour permettent à la Russie de disposer d’un levier de négociations face à une Europe qui augmente son soutien à l’Ukraine.

L’autre invité surprise de ce défilé est la Biélorussie. Il était connu que des officiers de l’armée libyenne avaient été en formation en Biélorussie (2). 

Ce défilé aura aussi l’occasion de voir la présence discrète d’Ivan Tertel, chef du KGB biélorusse.

Une précédente rencontre avait lieu en mars 2025 en Biélorussie entre Haftar et Tertel. La communication officielle évoque la mise en place d’une coopération dans les domaines économique, éducatif, agricole et sanitaire.

Le 25 mai 2025, les autorités libyennes et biélorusses ont inauguré une maison biélorusse à Benghazi, avec des déclarations communes de collaboration dans les secteurs du transport avec la mise place de bus de marque MAZ, de l’agriculture avec notamment la possible construction d’une usine de production de farine et d’aliments pour le bétail et de la santé avec des visites d’infrastructures par la délégation biélorusses.

La visite des officiels biélorusses aura vu également des annonces de la part de la Libye sur l’absence de visa pour venir en Libye ou la création d’une entreprise commune dans le secteur agricole à Benghazi, sous le contrôle d’un membre de la famille Haftar.

D’autres accords ont été signés dans les domaines de l’industrie et l’éducation, des services d’exploration géologique et de l’industrie minière.

Après cette cérémonie et ses discussions commerciales entre partenaires, un Tupolev Tu-154M de l’armée russe a quitté Benghazi le 27 mai 2025.

Aperçu non exhaustif du matériel vu lors du défilé militaire

Fusil-brouilleur anti-drone WRJ-Q02 

Drone modifié  DS-220 DSTECHUAS

Véhicules blindés VPK-Spartak and Tiger 

Systèmes de défense aérienne à courte portée Tor-M1/M2

Véhicules militaires tout-terrain (ATV) Tomcar TX

Missiles balistiques R-17/Scud-B et systèmes de roquettes d’artillerie 9K52 Luna-M

Tricycle militaire Konung équipé d’un PKM

VT370 & QP537 VTOL UAVs

Drones DJI Mavic et munitions téléopérées / FPV

Wing drone FXF1464

ZSU-23-4 Shilka battu avec son 1RL33/RPK-2

T-72A with anti-drone cage 

Pantsir-S1 (SA-22T-72A)

Systèmes BM-30 Smerch, également connus sous le nom de systèmes de roquettes à lancement multiple (MLRS) 9A52-2 de 300 mm

Quelles suites pour la Libye ?

Les tensions à Tripoli liées au maintien du Premier Ministre Dbeibah trouvent un écho particulier auprès des troupes liées au maréchal Haftar, ainsi que des milices opposées au Premier Ministre du gouvernement de Tripoli. 

Dès la fin du défilé, des troupes ont été envoyées vers Tripoli, à la fois depuis l’Est de la Libye mais également de l’Ouest, sans qu’une coordination ne soit effective. Des manifestations à Tripoli appellent à l’intervention du maréchal Haftar pour déloger les milices liées au gouvernement de Tripoli et en réalité à mettre fin à ce gouvernement et prendre la main.

Du côté des instances du gouvernement de Tripoli, une campagne de purge est en cours. L’objectif est bien de maintenir en place le système actuel, notamment en gardant la main sur une partie de la rente financière arrivant de l’exploitation pétrolière.

Les autorités de Tobrouk, pour verrouiller l’outil économique et contraindre le gouvernement de Tripoli, ont déclaré qu’un cas de force majeure concernant les champs pétroliers et les terminaux maritimes sous son contrôle pourrait être la seule option disponible face à l’instabilité à Tripoli, entraînant un incident de sécurité et une prise d’assaut du siège de la NOC dans la capitale.

Les chances que les autorités de l’Est mettent en œuvre la force majeure sont élevées et sont actuellement envisagées par les acteurs sécuritaires et militaires de l’ Est de la Libye. Pour les autorités de l’ Est, il s’agit d’un atout supplémentaire contre les tentatives de Dbeibah de s’accrocher au pouvoir à Tripoli, et l’attaque contre la NOC hier constitue un bon prétexte. Les prochains jours détermineront la direction qu’elles prendront.

Par ailleurs l’ambassadeur russe en Libye a mené une réunion avec les leaders de la jeunesse toubou le 29 mai 2025, avec pour objectif d’offrir des bourses d’études en Russie. Par cette offre à destination de l’ethnie majoritaire du Sud libyen, présente par ailleurs au Nord Niger et au Nord Tchad, l’ambassade russe prend la main par en doucement mais sérieusement sur une zone d’intérêt stratégique, regroupant par ailleurs mines d’or, puits de pétrole, trafic d’êtres humains et de drogue, milices armées non affiliées.

L’entrisme russe et biélorusse auprès d’Haftar, qui sera d’une manière ou d’une autre présent dans les prochaines instances de gouvernance libyenne, vont bousculer les volontés européennes et américaines pour la résolution de cette crise aux portes de l’Europe, avec des défis connexes majeurs. En premier lieu l’approvisionnement énergétique européen. Et ce défilé militaire est bien plus qu’un simple exercice d’auto satisfaction du maréchal Haftar et de son état-major mais bien un message géopolitique fort.

(1) Opération militaire menée par le maréchal Khalifa Haftar lancée en 2014 pour expulser Al-Qaïda, l’EI et d’autres groupes terroristes à Benghazi et les environs.

(2) https://libyareview.com/53516/elite-libyan-forces-complete-training-in-belarus/

Russian forces had lost 12 aircraft, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said in its regular update on June 3, without providing additional details.

The report came two days after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a mass drone attack against Russian strategic aviation parked at four different air bases on June 1.

SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk said that 41 planes, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 bombers and A-50 reconnaissance planes, were hit. The SBU later claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia’s cruise missile bombers.

In its report, the General Staff did not specify the types of destroyed planes or whether more had been damaged.

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, previously said at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed in the attack, with more damaged.

“This was not just a devastating blow to enemy aviation, but a serious slap in the face of the power and terrorist essence of the Russian Federation,” Maliuk said in a statement on June 2.

Independent confirmation of the damage caused is so far limited to satellite images of Belaya air base, which appear to confirm the destruction of at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged.

Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field.

Operation Spiderweb — everything we know about Ukraine’s ‘audacious’ attack on Russia’s heavy bombers

Ukraine was jubilant on June 1 as news filtered through of a stunning drone attack targeting Russian heavy bombers, that simultaneously targeted four air bases, two of them thousands of miles inside Russia. “Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia — this is the result of a special operation

The Kyiv IndependentChris York