Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, is traveling to the U.S., a source close to the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent on June 3.

The visit follows the second round of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, which focused on a new prisoner exchange but yet again failed to achieve a breakthrough in peace efforts.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to impose additional sanctions on Russia if the peace talks stall.

A Ukrainian drone attack targeting energy infrastructure in Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts overnight on June 3 caused widespread blackouts, according to Russian occupation authorities.

Yevhen Balytskyi, the Kremlin-appointed head of the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, claimed that 457 settlements in the region were left without power, affecting more than 600,000 homes.

In neighboring Kherson Oblast, Moscow-installed proxy Volodymyr Saldo claimed that drone debris damaged substations near occupied Henichesk, as well as near Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, resulting in power outages across 150 settlements.

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

Kyiv’s previous attacks on substations in Russia and Russian-occupied territories were aimed at undermining Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.

Situated in southern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts have been partially occupied since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The regions' centers, the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, remain under Ukrainian control and are frequently targeted by Russian forces.

A Russian FPV (first-person-view) drone attack targeted first responders near Vasylivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring at least 12 people, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Russian propagandists split between downplaying devastating Ukrainian attacks and issuing threats

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

Russia has lost around 990,800 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on June 3.

The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,881 tanks, 22,671 armored fighting vehicles, 50,607 vehicles and fuel tanks, 28,623 artillery systems, 1,402 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,176 air defense systems, 384 airplanes, 336 helicopters, 38,748 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

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

The U.K. government is ready to sue sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich over the sale of the Chelsea Football Club, U.K. Treasury Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a joint statement on June 2.

“The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion,” the two officials said.

Lammy, on March 9, vowed to unfreeze billions of dollars of revenue earned from Abramovich’s sale of the Chelsea Football Club and use the funds to support Ukraine.

Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea FC when sanctions were enacted against him following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required,” Reeves and Lammy said in their joint statement.

The U.K. government previously said that the funds intended to help Ukraine remained in limbo due to a disagreement between officials and Abramovich.

“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far,” they said.

2.3 billion pounds ($3.1 billion) are currently frozen in a dedicated trust as officials decide how to obtain and utilize the funds.

Abramovich reportedly owes up to 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) to the U.K. after attempting to evade taxes on hedge fund investments in a scheme involving the Chelsea Football Club.

The oligarch is also under investigation for undeclared assets in Germany, Spiegel reported on Feb. 8, citing the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor’s Office.

‘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

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on June 2 slammed Russia for only providing its memorandum of a peace proposal at talks earlier in the day, saying that “the Russians are once again stalling for time."

"(I)f this is just another attempt to buy time, then there should be one response: tougher international sanctions,” Umerov said in a post to Facebook.

“Our documents were submitted in advance. In contrast, the Russian ‘memorandum’ appeared only today — during the meeting itself. This created conditions that prevented the meeting from delivering the results needed to end the war,” he added.

Ukraine and Russia held another round of peace talks on June 2, after their first meeting in Istanbul on May 16. Both rounds of talks were largely inconclusive, with Russia reiterating its rejection of a ceasefire.

Umerov attended the peace negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, leading Ukraine’s 14-member delegation, which included several figures from Ukraine’s military, human rights, and legal sectors. Umerov also led Ukraine’s 12-member delegation on May 16.

“We conveyed the positions formulated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of the key points — an unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. This has been our principle and the position of our partners for many months,” Umerov said.

Russia only proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies.

“Russia rejects even the very idea of stopping the killings. That’s why we appeal to the world: pressure is needed for real peace, not for an imitation of negotiations,” Umerov said.

At the first round of peace talks, both sides agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which took place from May 23-25.

On June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed to work on another prisoner exchange with up to 1,200 captives from each side.

Zelensky, later on June 2, criticized Russia’s proposal for a 2–3-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

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

The U.K. will boost its defense spending amid the increased threat Russia poses to European security, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 2.

“Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognize that things have changed in the world of today… The front line, if you like, is here,” Starmer said.

“We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies,” he added.

The media reported on June 1 that a defense review would recommend increasing the U.K.’s military spending and introducing new equipment, including jets capable of launching tactical nuclear weapons. Russia has increasingly threatened Ukraine’s allies as it continues to wage its war.

Members of NATO’s eastern flank, including Finland and Poland, have raised concerns that Russia could intensify military buildup on their borders if Ukraine and Moscow reach a ceasefire.

The British military has a substantial nuclear arsenal, but can only launch such weapons from its submarines after decommissioning a number of platforms at the end of the Cold War.

Starmer announced a wide range of new defense spending commitments amid the increased threat Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic security.

12 new nuclear submarines are set to be built within the framework of the Aukus partnership with the U.K, U.S., and Australia.

The U.K. plans to boost weapons production and increase stockpiles, including plans to produce 7,000 long-range weapons and six new munitions factories.

Weapons spending is set to increase by 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) to a total of 6 billion pounds ($8.1 billion). Another 15 billion pounds ($20 billion) will be invested in the U.K’s nuclear warhead program.

“The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,” Starmer said.

NATO officials have increasingly warned that Russia could attack the alliance’s eastern flank in the coming years amid Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Finland expects an increased Russian military buildup on its border once the war against Ukraine is over, Major General Sami Nurmi, the head of strategy of the Finnish defense forces, told the Guardian in an interview published on May 21.

Ukraine and Russia held peace talks in Turkey on May 16 and June 2. The negotiations were largely inconclusive, with Russia reiterating maximalist demands. The talks mainly yielded agreements toward prisoner exchanges.

Russian propagandists split between downplaying devastating Ukrainian attacks and issuing threats

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

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that during the Istanbul negotiations, Russian representatives dismissed the issue of abducted Ukrainian children as a “show for childless European old ladies” and acknowledged deporting several hundred children.

“I want our journalists, our people — and not only ours — to understand their attitude toward the humanitarian aspect. First, they told us not to ‘put on a show for childless European old ladies’ — that’s how they phrased it in Russian. That’s their attitude when we raise the issue of the children,” Zelensky noted during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

During the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of Russia’s delegation, presented a list submitted by Ukraine containing the names of 339 children it says were abducted by Russia and must be returned.

Medinsky rejected the allegations, denying that Russia had taken the children by force.

Ukraine has documented over 19,500 cases of children who were forcibly taken to Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to official figures, only about 1,300 of them have been brought back to areas under Ukrainian control.

These actions have faced widespread international backlash.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and the country’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, over their alleged roles in organizing the deportations.

More recently, the European Parliament passed a resolution denouncing the deportations as part of a “genocidal strategy” to eliminate Ukrainian identity, calling for the immediate and unconditional return of all abducted children.

“We told them they had stolen 20,000 children, and they responded that it wasn’t 20,000 — at most, they said, it was a matter of a few hundred,” Zelensky said. “Our delegation (was) offended by this… Honestly, I’m not. I think it’s more important not to fixate on the number, but on the fact itself — they admitted to taking children. We believe it’s thousands, they say it’s hundreds, but what matters is that they acknowledged the fact."

‘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

Norway will help Ukraine cover a potential one billion euro ($1.08 billion) gas deficit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced following a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Vilnius on June 2.

“We discussed issues that are important for Ukraine right now. I received a positive signal from him. This concerns gas: if we face a deficit in winter, can we count on the appropriate volume? Today, I received support from Jonas (Gahr Store),” Zelensky said.

Russian forces regularly attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to power and heat shortages across the country. Russia attacked 34 facilities of Ukrgasvydobuvannya, Ukraine’s largest gas producer and part of the state Naftogaz Group, last winter, leading to a loss of almost 50% of gas production, the company reported on April 21.

“We agreed that we will look for opportunities to close any deficit, which may arise if everything is not restored (Ukrainian gas production infrastructure affected by Russian attacks), if we cannot fully provide our population with gas,” Zelensky noted during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

“And therefore there is an appropriate volume. We have found half, but we were missing another half. I’ll put it this way: we’re talking about a volume worth a billion euros — that’s what I’m discussing with the Norwegian prime minister."

The two leaders have also discussed continued support for Kyiv, including strengthening the country’s air defense, encouraging direct investment in Ukraine’s defense industry, specifucally the drone production, and increasing pressure on Russia.

Norway is ranked 11th in the world in terms of the amount of aid provided to Ukraine, having so far provided over $4.5 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military support, according to the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker.

On May 20, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in Ukraine to meet with Zelensky, marking the first visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family during Russia’s invasion.

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on June 2 that Turkey plans to facilitate a meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in either Ankara or Istanbul. Speaking to reporters on the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to take part in such talks.

“I had a conversation with President Erdoğan of Turkey. And indeed, he sent a signal, asking how I would feel about a meeting of four leaders: himself, the President of the United States, Putin, and me. I told him that I support a meeting at the level of leaders, because I have the impression that there will be no ceasefire without our meeting,” Zelensky said during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

The president’s comments followed another round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on June 2, where the sides agreed to a new prisoners of war (POWs) exchange but failed to reach a ceasefire.

The talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follow the first round of negotiations on May 16. The initial meeting ended with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war, but without any tangible progress toward a peace deal.

In the meantine, U.S. President Donald Trump is also open to an invitation by his Turkish counterpart to hold three-way peace talks in Turkey with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, the White House said on June 2.

“The president has said he’s open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal.

Following the June 2 talks, Russia also proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said on June 2.

Zelensky criticized Russia’s proposal for a 2–3-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, adding that “they (the Russian side) just don’t see a ceasefire as such at the moment.”

“As they said regarding a ceasefire, they are ready for a 2–3-day ceasefire to retrieve the dead from the battlefield. I think they’re idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead."

“You can see their attitude. For them, this is just a brief pause in the war,” the president added.

Russian propagandists split between downplaying devastating Ukrainian attacks and issuing threats

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

Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK secured a $72-million loan to build one of the largest battery energy storage complexes in Eastern Europe, the company said on June 3.

Ukraine’s second most profitable bank, state-owned Oschadbank, state-owned Ukrgasbank, and PUMB will provide the funding for the project, which includes six energy storage installations across the country, totaling 200 megawatts to power 600,000 households.

Battery energy storage facilities are like a large power bank connected to energy grids, and are crucial for storing energy created by renewables like solar and wind for later use. The share of renewable energy in Ukraine’s grid was about 10% before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Kyiv wants to up this to 27% by 2030.

Other similar energy storage systems in Eastern Europe include Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid’s 200-MW units launched in 2023 and a 55-MW battery energy storage system in Razlog in southwestern Bulgaria that went online in 2024.

The loan — DTEK’s largest domestic loan agreement to finance new energy infrastructure — covers part of the construction costs for five of the installations and runs until Sept. 25, 2030. DTEK, owned by Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov, will cover the remaining costs. PUMB is majority-owned by Akhmetov via his System Capital Management (SCM) Holdings.

“DTEK’s investments in new energy capacity are not only a response to current challenges but also a contribution to the long-term strategy of ensuring Ukraine’s energy resilience and independence. Our goal is not just to restore but to create modern and reliable energy that will become the foundation for the country’s economic development,” DTEK CEO Maksym Timchenko said.

Last year, DTEK lost 90% of its energy generation capacities due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. In total, Ukraine lost 9 gigawatts of its energy capacity, around half of the country’s peak winter consumption, which facilitated discussions on the need to decentralize its energy sources.

The company sees battery energy storage facilities as a path to decentralization and unification with the EU. In March, DTEK announced it was building Poland’s first large electricity storage facility as part of its plan to establish a pan-European energy system connected to Ukraine.

DTEK has continued to invest in energy projects in Ukraine, most notably committing 450 million euros ($468 million) to expand the Tyligulska Wind Power Plant near the Black Sea coast in cooperation with Denmark’s state-owned Export and Investment Fund. It marked the largest ever private investment in Ukraine’s energy sector.

Unlike other state-owned energy companies in Ukraine, DTEK hasn’t been able to secure funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Cooperation with Ukrainian banks strengthens Ukraine’s energy security and potential, the company said.

“We recognize our responsibility as a bank that consistently supports the country, and we are doing everything we can to financially contribute to the development of new energy capacities. This is not just about investing in infrastructure — it’s about strengthening the strategic energy independence and security of our state,” Serhiy Chernenko, Chairman of PUMB’s Board, said.

Russia’s budget deficit triples amid sanctions and low oil prices, Ukrainian official says

Ukrainian commissioner for sanctions policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk said international sanctions remain a key driver behind the decline in Russia’s energy revenues.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

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 damage dealt could potentially hinder Moscow’s ability to carry out such mass strikes in the future.

In Ukraine, the operation quickly drew comparisons to some of the most uplifting moments since 2022 – including the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet’s flagship Moskva, the attack on the Crimean Bridge, and the surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as Ukrainians have entered the fourth year of defending their country against Russia’s full-scale invasion, while Moscow’s attacks in the air and on the ground continue to intensify.

“I was shocked by this and could not believe that this could be done. It’s some kind of fantastic operation,” Volodymyr, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent. “Any such operation brings us closer to victory.”

The operation had been in preparation for one and a half years. It used low-cost FPV (first-person view) drones that were smuggled into Russia and hidden inside trucks to attack four airfields across the country, two of them located thousands of miles away from Ukraine.

The success of the Ukrainian operation dealt a blow to the image of Russia’s security services, demonstrating that Ukraine can carry out effective attacks inside Russian territory without having forces on the ground.

“It shows the power of modern drones. And it’s interesting, to say the least,” said Ivan Boichenko, a prospective university student from Kyiv. “I was very impressed. It was very uplifting, I would even say.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in Operation Spiderweb. According to estimates from the SBU, the drone strike disabled 34% of Russia’s cruise missile bombers, causing approximately $7 billion in damage.

“We were very impressed and happy. We really hope (that the war is approaching) its end, and this will somehow help us to have a peaceful life like before. We miss those times very much,” said Alina, a pharmacist and a resident of Kryvyi Rih.

Asked whether she fears a possible Russian attack in retaliation for the Ukrainian operation, she says her city is already a frequent target of Russian attacks. On April 4, Russia’s missile strike killed 20 people there — including nine children.

Halyna, a medical worker from Kyiv, shares similar thoughts about possible Russian retaliation. She says Russia already strikes regularly.

“Every day — there’s no such day, not a minute, neither at night, nor during the day. Children are in basements, we are in corridors,” she says.

“I also suffered, there was an attack on us. God forbid anybody has to go through that,” she went on. “But you see, I’m alive, many of us are. Though, of course, even more are not. May our defenders rest in peace. Thanks to them, we’re still here.”

Russian forces launch drone, glide bomb, and artillery attacks targeting civilian areas in Ukraine on a daily basis. On June 2 alone, Russian strikes across the country killed at least nine civilians and injured at least 49, including children, according to the regional authorities.

Kyiv resident Volodymyr was among those who spent the night in a bomb shelter.

“When there was an air raid alarm, my family and I went to the shelter, because I was worried there would be some response, as usual, after such operations,” he told the Kyiv Independent.

Among those who spoke with the Kyiv Independent, there was a quiet sense that Ukraine, through actions like this, is not backing down.

“The point is, it is better to strike back. It is better than just sitting there with your hands folded," said Boichenko.

Many were also proud of the inventiveness of the operation.

“These moments should go down in history. There should be books, scientific works  — the whole world should know about this,” said Halyna.

“This is happiness for us. They are destroying us, destroying us as people. And what did we do? We responded. We did the right thing. I’m glad,” she added.

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

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 Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo air bases on June 1.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the number of aircraft hit by the SBU.

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.

Russian top officials, including President Vladimir Putin, did not comment on the Ukrainian operation at all, while some pro-war propagandists tried to downplay its scale.

Other propagandists threatened to take revenge on Ukraine and the West by launching nuclear strikes and attacking airfields in NATO countries.

But some pro-war bloggers were more skeptical, saying that the attacks were a “Russian Pearl Harbor” — a reference to the devastating Japanese strikes on the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941. These bloggers argued that the Russian authorities should not lie about the attacks and must draw conclusions to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Russia’s nuclear threats don’t look serious after it became clear that you can deprive Russia of a large part of its nuclear potential using drones and trucks,” Russian anti-Kremlin columnist Sergei Parkhomenko told the Kyiv Independent in a reference to nuclear-capable strategic bombers allegedly destroyed by Ukraine.

Downplaying attacks

Russia’s Defense Ministry presented the Ukrainian strikes as “a terrorist attack” by the “Kyiv regime” — an odd claim, given that the operation targeted exclusively military facilities, not civilians.

The ministry claimed that “all terrorist attacks were repelled” and that “several pieces of aircraft equipment caught fire."

“The fires have been extinguished,” the ministry said. “There are no casualties among military personnel or civilian staff."

The Defense Ministry also claimed that “some of the perpetrators of the attacks have been detained."

Some pro-war bloggers also chose to downplay the scale of the Ukrainian attacks.

“I spoke with people in the know, and they say that, while the reputational damage is certainly significant, the material loss is not,” pro-war propagandist Alexei Zhivov wrote on Telegram. “The forces and resources needed to continue the military campaign are available. Fundamentally, nothing will change."

He added that Ukrainian “bombardments can’t bring anyone to their knees."

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

Issuing threats

One of the country’s top propagandists, Vladimir Solovyov, said during his TV show that the Ukrainian operation was “grounds for a nuclear attack” and called for conducting strikes on Ukraine’s president’s office on Bankova Street in Kyiv and airfields in Poland and Romania allegedly used by Ukrainian aircraft.

Commenting on the publication of footage from the Russian airfields by soldiers during the Ukrainian attacks, Solovyov called for introducing “the most severe military censorship” to crack down on such videos.

Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of the Kremlin’s English-language TV network Russia Today, said on Solovyov’s show that “revenge” for the Ukrainian attacks was “inevitable” and hinted that those responsible would be executed.

Critical pro-war bloggers

Some pro-war propagandists, however, were critical of the Russian authorities.

“This day will later be called a black day for Russia’s long-range aviation,” the pro-war blogger with the nickname Fighter Bomber wrote on Telegram.

Commenting on containers from which the Ukrainian drones were launched, Fighter Bomber wrote that “you really had to work hard to screw up and miss such containers."

“But we managed,” he added.

Fighter Bomber also quipped that they expected the Russian authorities to reward those who failed to protect the airfields rather than to punish them, alluding to the widespread nepotism and corruption in the Russian army.

Meanwhile, the pro-war blogger Starshe Eddy (“older than the Edda”) dismissed claims by other propagandists that the operation was carried out by Western intelligence rather than by Ukrainians.

“If the British, using the hands of these so-called ‘dumb’ Ukrainians, managed to hit us like this — then what should we expect from a direct confrontation with the British themselves?” the pro-war blogger said on Telegram.

“The Ukrainians are not dumb at all. They’ve been at war with us for three and a half years, carrying out subtle, clever, and daring operations. Today’s tragedy will go down in the textbooks of intelligence services — including our own."

He added that “British intelligence is directly involved in the war, but let’s not once again cover up our own failures by blaming everything on the British."

“As one wise man once said: if you publicly shit yourself, you should apologize, wash your ass, and change your clothes — not walk around a public place with your pants full of shit pretending nothing happened,” the blogger continued.

Another propagandist, Alexander Kots, urged Russians to stop distorting information about Ukrainian attacks.

“It’s important to tell the truth now, no matter how bitter it may be,” he wrote. “We’ll win the war anyway. We just have to stop lying to ourselves."

Won’t move the needle

Another group of critics of the Russian authorities' actions were the people who call themselves the opposition to Putin’s regime.

Anti-Kremlin columnist Parkhomenko said that some officials would likely be fired due to their failure to prevent the attacks, but the Kremlin would try to avoid making any public connection between such dismissals and the Ukrainian operation.

He also told the Kyiv Independent that Russia was likely to launch some revenge attacks against Ukraine.

Parkomenko believes the attacks will also have an impact on Russia’s relations with NATO countries since he thinks Western intelligence agencies likely took part in the operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied such claims, saying that Ukraine had carried out the attack singlehandedly without the assistance of Western intelligence services.

Moreover, Russia’s position in negotiations with the West has also been weakened due to the strikes, he added.

Parkhomenko said, however, that the attacks were unlikely to deal a major blow to Putin’s reputation among the population or the Russian elite.

Russian propaganda is downplaying the damage, and those who like or hate Putin are unlikely to change their opinions, Parkhomenko said.

He added that Ukraine’s unprecedented incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast had not had a major impact on Putin’s popularity either.

Ultimate guide on how drones changed warfare in Ukraine

The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrel provides an ultimate guide on how drones have changed the warfare in Ukraine — starting with an embed with a drone unit of the National Guard’s 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade and providing even more insights with a step-by-step simulation on how fighting for an average village in Ukraine looks like now, three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

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 battlefield, but of bedrooms with windows shattered by blasts, morning routines interrupted by air raid alerts, and games played in underground shelters. The war seeps into the smallest moments.

The Kyiv Independent spoke to children and their families to understand how war affects childhood, how it quietly rewrites dreams, creeps into fantasies, and redefines what it means to be safe. Children, in their honesty and imagination, reflect truths that adults sometimes struggle to express.

One thing all the children who spoke to the Kyiv Independent have in common: They all feel safest when there are no air raid alerts or the sounds of Russian missiles and drones above them.

Tina and Tymofii Tyshchenko

7 years old and 3 years old

The morning of Feb. 24, 2022, Tina and Tymofii’s mother Yuliia Tyshchenko woke up to feed then- 8-month-old Tymofii — when, for the first time, she heard the terrifying sound of the first explosions of the invasion. Within 10 minutes, Yuliia and her husband Bohdan Tyshchenko, had gathered their things, picked up their daughter Tina from her grandparents, and set off west, driving without a clear destination.

After the liberation of Kyiv Oblast, they returned home and now, they no longer want to leave. They are happy to be home.

They spent many nights hiding in the basement, but the children always got sick afterward. With no better option, they began taking shelter in their bathroom, even though they know it offers little real protection.

Every day, the family says they thank God and Ukraine’s defenders for the morning, for waking up, and for being alive.

The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why?

Tina: The superpower of fire because it can destroy. I would first destroy (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, because he is very bad.

When I grow up, I’d buy, like, a gun or something, and I’d go and, um… pretend to be a Russian. And then I’d pick some poisonous berries — they don’t know what poisonous berries are. And then I’d give them some, and they’d all die and be dead.

I’d give Putin a worse death. And Russia too — a terrible one. Because Putin is very mean. And the president of Ukraine is much, much, much, much better.

The Kyiv Independent: You wouldn’t shoot him with fire, right?

Tina: No! I’d take care of him. And give him blueberries. Or strawberries.

The Kyiv Independent: You’d give blueberries or strawberries to our president?

Tina: Yes! Or cake.

The Kyiv Independent: What do you dream about?

Tina: I want to be very rich. I want to buy everything I want.

Sofiia Ovsieienko

3 years old

Sofiia Ovsieienko was just five months old when Russia’s full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022. She and her mother, Kateryna Ovsieienko, fled Chernihiv under heavy shelling after spending three weeks in the city without electricity, water, or heating. They found temporary refuge in Germany, where they lived for six months before returning home.

Since returning, the war has shaped the rhythms of their daily life. After an explosion shattered their windows and a rocket fragment hit a neighboring apartment, going to the shelter during air raid alerts is a regular part of their routine. Sofiia knows what the sirens mean: time to run to the shelter. She does this at kindergarten, and she does it at home with her mom.

Sometimes, going to the shelter can even resemble a small adventure to Sofiia. She knows there will be other children there — and afterward, her mom always buys her cocoa or a hot dog.

The first thing she asks when they go underground is “What’s in the bag?” She knows her mom’s emergency backpack is always packed with her favorite toys and snacks.

Sofiia doesn’t remember the beginning of the war. When she hears the air defense systems, she asks, “Who’s knocking?” The sound of knocking frightens her most.

She may not understand war, but she feels its presence every day.

Matvii Yakymov

4 years old

When the war began, Matvii and his mother, Nina Logachova, left their home. His father stayed behind and joined the military. For six months, the mother and son lived with friends, first in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains, then in Portugal — before they returned.

Matvii is now in kindergarten. He loves robots and books. His favorite is “The Battle for the City,” a story that helps kids believe that light will overcome darkness and that evil will eventually be punished. He flips through the pages quickly, pausing to show the illustrations of war.

They still haven’t bought a mattress for the bathroom, where they hide during attacks. It’s hard to accept that this might be their reality for a long time. His mother’s calm helps, but she can’t silence the explosions that frighten Matvii so much.

When they travel abroad, Matvii remains tense, constantly asking his mother if the planes flying overhead are the “good ones.”

“Children are not made for war, fear, and despair in those little eyes. No children are,” Nina says.

The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why?

Matvii: I want to have all the superpowers from the cartoon Dinoster to defeat bandits…and the biggest bandits are Russians.

The Kyiv Independent: Do you get scared sometimes?

Matvii: Of course. When there’s a siren, or something... The Russians do stuff to make me scared.

The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe?

Matvii: When there is no air alarm or anything else scary.  

Andrii Davydenko

10 years old

On the first day of the full-scale invasion, the Davydenko family woke up to the sound of a missile whistling over their home in Kyiv. They immediately fled to western Ukraine.

Now they’re back home. Andrii often sleeps in his parents’ closet, surrounded by his favorite panda and capybara stuffed animals. During missile attacks, the family shelters there or in their building’s parking garage. When sheltering, they play games or discuss their hopes for the future.

Every month, Andrii helps underprivileged children from the NGO Misto Dobra, buying them gifts with his pocket money and going through his own toys and clothes to donate to the children.

The Kyiv Independent: What would you wish for if you had three wishes?

Andrii: If I had a magic wish, the first would be for the war to end. The second would be 100 more wishes. The third: 200 more wishes. Or maybe… to have endless money. Because with money, you can do anything: end the war, buy whatever you want, and help other people.

The Kyiv Independent: How would you end the war with money?

Andrii: I’d build a couple of nuclear missiles. They (Russia) attacked us because we have nothing, no nuclear weapons. And my third wish would be a Bugatti Chiron.

The Kyiv Independent: If you could move a house anywhere on the planet, where would you move it?

Andrii: I would move my house to Japan because I really love sushi.

The Kyiv Independent: Do you get scared sometimes?

Andrii: When there is an air raid at night, when ballistic missiles or cruise missiles are flying.

The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe?

“Where grandma lives,” Andrii says, pointing to the Carpathian Mountains on the map on the wall.

Tymofii Moskalchuk

4 years old

At the beginning of the war, Timofii and his mother, Marharyta Valevach, left for Poland, while his father, Bohdan Moskalchuk, remained in Ukraine. Six months later, the family reunited and returned to Kyiv — because home is home, and everywhere else you’re a stranger.

War inevitably steals parts of childhood, and his parents are doing their best to lessen its impact. He won’t get another childhood. These are the years that will shape his memories, and his parents want him to remember trips to theme parks and visits to the village, not bomb shelters and the sound of Shahed drones.

Timofii is fascinated by building things out of whatever he can find. He also loves hiding in boxes or creating his own little shelters, though he can’t quite explain why he enjoys them so much.

Sometimes he likes to draw, and lately, he often draws explosions. Whether they come from missiles or from his imagination in a fictional game, it’s hard to say.

The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why?

Tymofii: I wish I had the superpower to get really angry so I could protect myself from bad guys.

The Kyiv Independent: Are you brave?

Tymofii: Yes, I'm only afraid of monsters when I have a scary dream.

The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe?

Tymofii: At home... with mom and dad, and also my grandparents.

Coming of Age Amidst War

The Kyiv Independent

Key developments on June 2:

• Ukraine, Russia conclude talks in Istanbul, a 1,200-for-1,200 prisoner exchange is in the works, Zelensky says
• 5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv’s army — Russian media publishes Moscow’s official peace demands
• 34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports
• Over 160 Ukrainian drones downed across Russia, Moscow claims day after mass strike on airfields
• Russia recruiting Ukrainians for illegal activities in Europe, Ukrainian intel warns

The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, agreeing on a new prisoners of war (POWs) exchange but failing to reach a ceasefire.

The talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follow the first round of negotiations on May 16. The initial meeting ended with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war, but without any tangible progress toward a peace deal.

The parties agreed to conduct a major swap, which will include severely injured and young people aged 18 to 25.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the next prisoner exchange would feature at least 1,000 people on each side, and might reach a 1,200-for-1,200 swap that would possibly also include imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia.

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After the talks, Russia pledged to transfer 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and officers to Ukraine and also proposed a ceasefire for two or three days in some areas of the front line in order to retrieve the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

Zelensky said that only 15% of the mentioned 6,000 are identified and that Ukraine would need to check that the bodies Russia is willing to return are those of Ukrainian soldiers.

"We had instances when they returned bodies that later were identified as their own," Zelensky said on June 2.

Following the talks, the Kyiv Independent obtained the text of the peace proposals that Ukraine, in turn, presented to Russia in Istanbul.

According to the document, the Ukrainian delegation offered Moscow a complete ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war in an "all-for-all format," bringing back the children abducted by Russia, and the release of all civilians from Russian captivity.

Ukraine called for guarantees that would prevent Russia from repeating its aggression, as well as the involvement of the international community to achieve this.

According to Ukraine's proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine would continue on its path toward joining the EU and will become a member of NATO if there is consensus within the alliance.

Ukraine is also ready to agree to the gradual lifting of some sanctions against Russia, but with a mechanism for their renewal if necessary. Frozen Russian assets, in turn, should be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations.

As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks

As Ukraine and Russia prepare for peace talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, few observers expect a breakthrough. While the U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin has rejected it. Instead, Moscow has regularly voiced maximalist demands that are unlikely to be accepted by

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv's army — Russian media publishes Moscow's official peace demands

The Russian delegation handed Ukraine a so-called "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document.

The Russian memorandum began circulating online following the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, during which the parties again failed to reach a ceasefire.

Among Russia's key demands is the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full.

Russia also demands the complete withdrawal of all troops from Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, followed by demobilization in Ukraine.

Moscow's other demands include that Ukraine sticks to its neutral status, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO and other possible military alliances, a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, and a cessation of arms supplies and intelligence to Ukraine by its partners.

According to the document, Ukraine must abandon its claims for compensation for damages from the Russian war, guarantee amnesty for political prisoners, make Russian the official language, and not allow foreign troops to be deployed on its territory.

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

34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the June 1 "Spiderweb" drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile bombers in key Russian airbases.

The agency confirmed that more details about the attack will be revealed later.

"We will strike them (Russia) at sea, in the air, and on the ground. And if needed, we'll get them from underground too," the SBU said in a message.

This operation targeted aircraft that is used in frequent long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, and the plan had been in preparation for over a year and a half.

According to a Kyiv Independent SBU source, first-person-view (FPV) drones were covertly transported deep into Russian territory and hidden inside trucks before being launched against four major airfields.

The source said one of the airfields hit was the Belaya air base in Russia's Irkutsk Oblast, more than 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine.

Olenya air base in Russia's Murmansk Oblast, the Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast, Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo Oblast were also targeted.

More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3, according to the source.

The Tu-95 is a Soviet-era plane that made its first flight in 1952. It was originally used to carry nuclear bombs but has since evolved to launch cruise missiles.

Each aircraft can carry 16 cruise missiles — either the Kh-55/Kh-555 or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles.

Russia has escalated its attacks against Ukraine in recent weeks, amid ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire talks and negotiations.

On May 26, Russian forces launched the most extensive drone attack of the full-scale war, reportedly involving 355 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys.

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

Over 160 Ukrainian drones downed across Russia, Moscow claims day after mass strike on airfields

Russian air defenses intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones in a massive overnight attack across several regions, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on June 2, with damage and explosions reported in multiple oblasts.

The reported attacks come as Ukraine ramped up its drone strikes inside Russian territory over the last few weeks, including a mass attack on Russian air bases a day earlier.

The new wave of drones targeted multiple cities and industrial facilities overnight on June 2, according to Russian Telegram channels. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in at least six oblasts, including Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and Volgograd.

The ministry claimed the drones were intercepted between the evening of June 1 and the early hours of June 2.

The largest number was reportedly downed over Kursk Oblast (57 drones), followed by the Belgorod (31), Lipetsk (27), Voronezh (16), Bryansk (11), Ryazan (11), Oryol (six), and Tambov (one) oblasts. Two drones were shot down over Russian-occupied Crimea, according to the ministry.

Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

The attack follows a series of similar UAV raids in recent weeks targeting both military and industrial infrastructure inside Russia.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed to have hit 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country on June 1 in one of the largest operations inside Russian territory.

Russia recruiting Ukrainians for illegal activities in Europe, Ukrainian intel warns

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

In a statement, the agency warned that Kremlin-linked operatives are offering money to vulnerable Ukrainians, particularly those from Russian-occupied territories, to conduct surveillance of critical infrastructure and carry out other tasks for the benefit of the Russian state.

"The recruitment of Ukrainians for hostile operations in Europe is yet another tool of hybrid aggression that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community," the agency said.

The intelligence agency urged Ukrainian citizens abroad to immediately report any contact with suspicious individuals to local law enforcement or Ukrainian diplomatic missions.

The warning comes amid a growing number of suspected Russian-directed sabotage and arson plots across Europe involving Ukrainian nationals.

British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23. The incidents include fires at Starmer's family home, a vehicle, and a former residence in London earlier this month.

Three men — Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc — have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege they acted in coordination with unknown individuals, and U.K. authorities are examining whether Russian agents may have recruited them.

German authorities have also accused three Ukrainian nationals of being involved in a Russian-orchestrated parcel bomb plot, according to Der Spiegel. The suspects were arrested in May during coordinated raids in Germany and Switzerland.

In a separate case on May 12, Poland charged two Ukrainians in connection with suspected Russian-backed arson attacks at an IKEA store in Vilnius and a shopping mall in Warsaw in 2024.

Additionally, Russian intelligence is believed to be behind a July 2024 fire at a DHL airport logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany. Investigators said a flammable package sent from Lithuania was marked for delivery to a fake address in Birmingham, U.K.

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.

The Ukrainian intelligence agency emphasized that such operations rely on exploiting desperate individuals and weaponizing them against host countries. It called on European governments to remain vigilant and closely coordinate with Ukrainian security services.

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.

President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s proposal for a 2–3-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of the fallen soldiers, he said on June 2 during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

Russia proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said on June 2. Medinsky, who heads Moscow’s delegation to the peace talks in Istanbul, made the statement during a press conference following the second round of negotiations with Ukraine.

“They just don’t see a ceasefire as such at the moment,” Zelensky said of Russia’s proposal. “As they said regarding a ceasefire, they are ready for a 2–3-day ceasefire to retrieve the dead from the battlefield. I think they’re idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead.”

“You can see their attitude. For them, this is just a brief pause in the war,” the president added.

“That’s why we really want our American partners to push a sanctions package through the Senate with decisive steps — to pressure the Russians into a ceasefire with strong sanctions. They don’t understand any other way for now.”

U.S. President Donald Trump Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war. If not, he warned, Washington would “respond a little bit differently."

The U.S. president 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.

Ukraine’s official proposal, obtained by the Kyiv Independent on June 2, suggests that some existing sanctions against Russia could be lifted in the event of a full ceasefire. However, the plan includes a key condition: sanctions would be automatically reinstated if Russia violates the ceasefire terms.

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

In a closely contested presidential runoff, conservative historian Karol Nawrocki has been declared the winner of Poland’s 2025 presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski’s 49.11%.

The result marks a significant shift in Polish politics, with consequences for both the domestic and international landscape — particularly in dealings with neighboring Ukraine, fighting off Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Divided country

Late on June 1, Trzaskowski, his campaign staff, and members of Donald Tusk’s ruling Civic Platform, which supported the Warsaw mayor, were celebrating.

Early exit polls showed Trzaskowski’s slight lead. Together with earlier opinion polls that placed Trzaskowski ahead of his competition, it looked like his victory was a done deal.

Early on June 2, the official results were a cold shower for the liberal mayor. Nawrocki and the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party triumphed, retaining the presidency controlled by right-wing nationalists since 2015.

Though lacking any prior elected office, 42-years-old Nawrocki ran a campaign that resonated strongly with conservative voters by emphasizing traditional Catholic values, national sovereignty, and skepticism toward the European Union. His win, driven by promises of “bringing back normalcy,” is likely to slow — or even reverse — Poland’s liberal political trajectory.

Law and Justice (PiS), led by Jarosław Kaczynski, was ousted from power in the 2023 parliamentary elections, losing control of the parliament for the first time since 2015. Following the Civic Platform’s victory, many in the West celebrated Poland’s liberal comeback.

But now, with support from nationalist and far-right voters rallying behind Slawomir Mentzen and Grzegorz Braun, PiS is in a position to hit back.

The Polish president holds limited executive power, but his veto power can paralyze the centrist agenda of the ruling coalition. Nawrocki pledged to use it to block many of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s reforms and key decisions.

The bitter campaign has left Poland bracing for further conflict.

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

Tusk and his allies played up allegations against Nawrocki, which he either denied or dismissed as political smears. These included accusations of exploiting an elderly man in a property deal, past involvement in football hooliganism, alleged ties to criminal circles and prostitution, and criticism for using nicotine pouches during live debates.

For many voters, Nawrocki’s “tough-guy persona” — displayed in campaign videos of him at shooting ranges and boxing gyms — may have mattered more.

Uncertain Ukraine-Polish relations

Ukrainians have reacted to Nawrocki’s victory with cautious concern.

President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to congratulate him, expressing hope for “continuing fruitful cooperation with Poland and personally with President Nawrocki."

It’s too early to say whether Poland’s new president will bring significant change to Warsaw’s relationship with Kyiv — but for now, there are few reasons for optimism.

With Poland hosting over a million Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war, Ukraine was one of the dominant topics throughout the campaign. Nawrocki drew criticism for stoking anxiety over Ukrainian refugees, echoing far-right concerns about migration, rising living costs, and security.

His "Poland first" rhetoric included calls to prioritize Polish citizens in social services and adopt a more skeptical approach to continued aid for Ukrainians.

As president, Nawrocki will become commander-in-chief of the armed forces and play a key role in shaping foreign policy, especially toward countries to the east, where Polish presidents traditionally play a leading role.

Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, also from PiS, reinforced his legacy as one of Kyiv's strongest allies in the final days of his presidency. On May 30, he awarded Ukraine's military intelligence chiefs, Kyrylo Budanov and Vadym Skibitskyi, with Poland's highest state honors for their role in strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

Nawrocki has declared support for Ukraine's sovereignty and resistance to Russian aggression. But his opposition to Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU — citing unresolved historical grievances such as the Volhynian Massacre — has raised serious concerns in Kyiv.

Before his political rise, Nawrocki served as director of the Museum of the Second World War and head of the Institute of National Remembrance. His tenure at both institutions was defined by efforts to promote a patriotic historical narrative, including the removal of Soviet monuments — moves that landed him on Russia's wanted list, according to Polish media.

Unlike other Euroskeptic leaders in Central Europe, such as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico or Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Nawrocki does not express pro-Russian views but he repeatedly accused Zelensky of taking advantage of allies.

His presidency is likely to open a more transactional phase in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Seen by some as a "Trumpian" figure, Nawrocki met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House during the campaign and had Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem travel to Poland last week to back him.

Nawrocki's victory may also prove troublesome for the Polish government, which seeks to play an important role in a recently formed informal coalition of the U.K., Germany, France, and Poland aimed at counterbalancing Trump's policy on Ukraine.

"For now, he definitely makes the impression of a Trumpist politician," Zbigniew Parafianowicz, journalist and author of Polska na wojnie (Poland at War), told the Kyiv Independent.

"But the future depends on who ends up in his circle. If he is influenced by the people who shaped Duda's actions during the early stages of the war, things could look different."

Mykola Kniazhytskyi, co-chair of the Ukrainian parliamentary group on relations with Poland, expressed hope that Nawrocki will maintain a pro-Ukrainian geopolitical outlook traditional for PiS — pointing to his advisor who recently visited Kyiv.

"I believe that people in Karol Nawrocki's circle, such as Professor (Andrzej) Nowak, will do everything to maintain the new president's support for our European integration processes," he said.

5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv’s army — Russian media publishes Moscow’s official peace demands

Among Russia’s key demands, according to the document, is the official recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine’s Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Editor’s note: This story is being updated.

The Russian delegation handed Ukraine a so-called “peace memorandum” with its proposals for a ceasefire during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document.

The Russian memorandum began circulating online following the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, during which the parties again failed to reach a ceasefire.

Among Russia’s key demands is the official recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine’s Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full.

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

Ukraine aims to return up to 1,200 prisoners of war (POWs) in the next exchange with Russia following the second round of talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 2 during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine and Russia held direct talks in Turkey earlier in the day, agreeing on a new prisoner swap, which will reportedly include young people between the ages of 18 and 25, as well as people with serious injuries.

Zelensky said the next exchange is expected to be in a 1,000-for-1,000 format, with the possibility of increasing the number to 1,200 people on each side. The president added that future swap could also involve imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia.

“It is very important that the Russians allow the lists to be checked in advance, unlike last time,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine and Russia held a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25 after previously agreeing to the exchange at peace talks on May 16. Aside from yielding a prisoner exchange, the peace negotiations in Istanbul were largely inconclusive.

Apart from Ukrainian prisoners of war, the exchange list also reportedly included Anatolii Taranenko, a Ukrainian service member accused of collaborating with Russia.

Taranenko’s alleged inclusion in the exchange exacerbated criticism that Ukraine failed to secure the release of any Azov fighters and many civilians who had been held captive by Russia for years in what was the largest prisoner swap of the full-scale war.

Andrii Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW), said that Kyiv could not influence who Russia decided to release in the recent swap.

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

Did President Trump say that Ukraine must compensate Russia for the aircraft it destroyed in a June 1, 2025, drone attack on Russian air bases? No, that's not true: There is no record of President Trump posting these words on his social media accounts or saying them publicly. A Google search for the quote finds it only on social media posts not related to Trump. No news media reported the quote, although the photo on the meme of Trump speaking in the Oval Office would suggest he said it there in front of journalists.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on X by @OlenaRohoza on June 1, 2025. The post read:

Trump stated that Ukraine must compensate Russia for the destroyed aircraft.

'They were just sitting there, not bothering anyone. If the Ukrainians had shot them down during a combat mission, that would be a different matter. But they were just sitting there. It's like hitting someone who's already down,' said the President of the United States.

🤔
Is he seriously a f*cking idiot?

Yes or No?

This is what the post looked like at the time of writing:

(Source: screenshot of X by Lead Stories)

Lead Stories found no evidence that this was a real quote from President Trump. A Google search, a review of Trump's Truth Social and X accounts, and a search of White House transcripts did not uncover the quote.

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 by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU),” a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on June 1.

Here’s everything we know — and don’t know — about Operation Spiderweb.

Ukraine’s Russian bomber problem

Throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its extensive fleet of heavy bombers have regularly launched mass missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, in particular targeting energy infrastructure in attacks that led to long periods of widespread blackouts across the country, and caused countless civilian deaths and injuries.

During these attacks, the bombers fly from their bases to the Caspian Sea from where they launch their cruise missile payloads, before returning to their bases.

Throughout their sorties they fly in perfect safety, far out of range of Ukraine’s air defenses.

Their bases are also far from Ukraine, and out of range of any missiles that Ukraine possesses or has been given by its Western allies.

Some air bases are in range of Ukraine’s long-range drones, but as these are less sophisticated than missiles and carry smaller warheads, Kyiv has until now only had limited success in using them against Russia’s heavy bombers.

While Ukraine is taking steps to develop its own cruise and ballistic missiles that could reach these bases, as well as improving the reach and firepower of its long-range drones, Operation Spiderweb used one of the cheapest weapons already used on the battlefield — first-person-view (FPV) drones.

What do we know about the Operation Spiderweb drone operation?

The first thing anyone knew about the attack were videos posted to social media by bemused Russians showing the bizarre scene of FPV drones flying out of the back of a truck and heading towards an already flaming air base.

The SBU quickly began releasing information about the operation, even as it was reportedly still underway, and the extent of what was unfolding quickly became clear.

A year-and-a-half in the planning, and reportedly personally overseen by SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk and President Volodymyr Zelensky, Operation Spiderweb was, in Zelensky's words, an "absolutely unique operation."

According to the SBU, the drones were smuggled into Russia where they were then hidden in the roofs of wooden cabins, which were then transported by truck to the air bases being targeted.

When they reached their destinations, the roofs were retracted remotely and the drones simply flew off towards the Russian bombers.

Zelensky later on June 1 released further information about the operation, including elements that are brazen in their audacity.

"What’s most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions," he said.

Zelensky also said that 117 drones were deployed with the "corresponding number of drone operators."

​​"It’s genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation," he added.

That satisfaction was also being felt on the streets of the Ukrainian capital on June 2. "I was actually shocked and couldn’t believe they had pulled this off. In my opinion, it’s some kind of fantastic operation,” Volodymyr, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent.

What don't we know about the operation?

The full extent of the damage caused is not yet clear.

The SBU claimed more than 40 aircraft were hit at four different air bases — Belaya air base in Irkutsk Oblast, Olenya air base in Murmansk Oblast, Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast, and Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo Oblast.

It added that the aircraft hit included A-50s, Tu-95s and Tu-22 M3s, and released one video clearly showing several aircraft ablaze at the Belaya air base.

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

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, 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," Malyuk 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.

The damage appears to have been limited to the Olenya and  Belaya airbases, with the Russian Defense Ministry claiming to have thwarted the attacks at the Diaghilev and Ivanovo airbases.

How many bombers does Russia have?

According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft, an organisation that tracks and ranks the world's air forces, Russia at the beginning of 2025 had 58 Tu-22Ms, 47 Tu-95s, and 15 Tu-160 bombers.

With 120 heavy bombers in total, Ukraine's claim of disabling one third is in line with its claim of hitting around 40 of them.

But perhaps the biggest prize for Ukraine is the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft which provides several critical functions for the ongoing war in Ukraine, such as detecting air defense systems, guided missiles, and coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets.

It's believed that Russia has fewer than 10 of these in operation, and Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed in February 2024 that the number was as few as six shortly after Ukraine managed to shoot one down for the first time.

Ukraine downed another A-50 four months later, in June 2024.

What else do we not know about Operation Spiderweb?

Despite the global reaction to the attack, some of those who have been following the rapid advances of drone technology during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw such an operation coming.

"I wasn't really that surprised," Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank, told the Kyiv Independent.

Bendett highlighted that Russian milbloggers have long been urging the Kremlin to up security at air bases in the event of such an attack, something that appears to have gone unheeded.

He also said that although the attack was "audacious," the means and technology to conduct an operation like this aren't that new.

One thing that isn't clear at the moment is how the drones were controlled — Zelensky said each drone had an individual operator but FPV drones are usually limited in range to a maximum of around 20 kilometers.

Bendett said the drones were most likely pre-programmed to fly out of the trucks and towards the air base with the operators taking over using Russian mobile networks when they were over the planes "to ensure the most precise strike."

Another thing that's not clear at the moment is how the trucks got to the airbases.

Zelensky on June 1 said all those who assisted in the attack "were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe."

Taking this at face value, it would imply the drivers of the truck were unwitting stooges.

Russian media channel Baza, citing Russian investigators, claimed all four trucks belonged to the same person who was asked to make deliveries of the wooden cabins by an unknown person(s). All four drivers later reportedly received instructions on exactly where to stop the trucks, at cafes and gas stations located near the air bases that were targeted.

This information remains unconfirmed at this time.

What has Russia said?

Very little. On June 1, Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged what it described as a "terrorist attack" on the four air bases and said "several units of aircraft caught fire" at Murmansk and Irkutsk.

The Kremlin has so far kept quiet.

But Russian milbloggers have been much more vocal, describing it as a "black day for aviation."

Rybar, one of the most popular with millions of subscribers on Telegram, said "serious errors by Russian intelligence had allowed Ukraine to strike a "very heavy blow.

Russian opposition columnist Yulia Latynina even described the attack as "Russia's Pearl Harbor."

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