-
US cancels talks with Russia on restoring diplomatic relations, Moscow claims
The U.S. has canceled the next round of talks with Russia on restoring diplomatic relations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on June 16.
Zakharova’s statement came days after Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Alexander Darchiev announced that delegations from both countries were expected to meet in Moscow in the near future.
The planned talks were supposed to be part of discussions between the U.S. and Russia that focused on peace efforts in Ukraine and the resumption of bilateral ties.
According to Zakharova, the upcoming round was intended to “eliminate irritants” and help normalize the operations of both nations' diplomatic missions.
“We hope that the pause taken by them (the U.S.) will not become too long,” the Russian spokesperson said.
Washington is yet to comment on Zakharova’s claims.
The first talks since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine took place on Feb. 18 in Riyadh, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations, a potential presidential meeting, and ways on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Darchiev said that during the recent round of talks on April 10 in Istanbul, the two sides agreed to move future consultations to their respective capitals.
The U.S. State Department described the April 10 talks in Istanbul as having a “constructive approach.” The closed-door consultations lasted about six hours and focused on ensuring stable banking services for diplomatic missions. Both delegations exchanged notes on the issue and agreed to continue discussions.
The diplomatic push continues amid efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire and peace agreement in Ukraine. Trump suggested on June 5 that it may be better to let the conflict continue for now, likening the war to a fight between children that should not be interrupted too quickly.
Kyiv and its allies remain skeptical of Trump’s approach toward peace efforts.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for stronger U.S. action and warned that “America’s silence, and the silence of others around the world, only encourages (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Russia to demand Ukraine destroy Western weapons to end war, senior Kremlin official saysThe remarks reflect Moscow’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its so-called “peace memorandum.”
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
-
Ukrainian HIMARS strike hits Russian military convoy in Makiivka, causing multiple casualties
Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a HIMARS strike on a Russian military convoy in Makiivka, within the occupied Donetsk region. The assault, executed on June 13, resulted in the deaths of eight Russian servicemen and injuries to 12 others, according to the Russian news outlet ASTRA. The targeted area was near an abandoned gas station on Avtotransportnaya Street.
The hit reportedly impacted personnel from military unit 71443, and Russian media suggest that "two civilians" also perished. This HIMARS attack not only caused human casualties but also obliterated a PAZ bus from the Russian Ministry of Defense as well as inflicting damage on three other buses and military vehicles, including a Ural truck.
-
Is the US changing its strategy? The EU Takes RESPONSIBILITY for Ukraine's Defense | NEWS PULSE
-
Investing in wartime Ukraine requires ‘nuanced understanding of risk’ but is worth it, says head of world’s largest business organization
When John Denton first visited Ukraine weeks into Russia’s full-scale invasion, he knew that for the country to survive, businesses needed to stay alive.
Denton is the secretary general of the world’s largest business organization, the International Chamber of Commerce. Active in 170 countries, the organization enables $17.5 trillion worth of economic activity every year, accounting for 22% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Denton has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s businesses and the country’s economic recovery, which is crawling back from the massive 29.1% fall in 2022. The International Chamber of Commerce will attend the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome on July 10-11, alongside governments and major players in the global private sector.
In a sit-down interview at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) on June 12, Denton told the Kyiv Independent how the International Chamber of Commerce has supported businesses in Ukraine, how investors can mitigate risks, and why doing business in Ukraine is worth it despite the wartime challenges.
“There needs to be a more nuanced understanding of risk in Ukraine. It’s not one risk quota for the whole of the country. It helps people understand that there are investable opportunities,” Denton said.
Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) John Denton attends the “Ukraine and Europe: Toward a Common Future” panel at the Kyiv International Economic Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Nov. 7, 2024. (Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images) The International Chamber of Commerce has been active in supporting Ukraine’s economic front in partnership with the Ukrainian Chambers of Commerce. This includes the Center of Entrepreneurship, which supports small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) as well as refugees.
Denton believes Ukraine’s recovery needs a strong private sector and access to global markets. To help build up trust and encourage foreign investors, he announced that the International Chamber of Commerce will cut arbitration costs for foreign investors involved in reconstruction-related disputes in Ukraine during his last trip to Ukraine in November 2024.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Kyiv Independent: This is your fourth trip to Ukraine. What is your current assessment of Ukraine’s business climate?John Denton: The reality is challenging, but Ukraine is not a monolith. There are different opportunities. I drove from Warsaw through western Ukraine, and you can sense that there’s a level of vibrancy in the economy there.
The more challenged regions need focus. It’s hard to attract opportunities and to keep people. At the same time, people are there, paying taxes, keeping businesses running, even in complex places. They need support and want visibility.
It’s going to be much harder to rebuild Ukraine if the economy is not functioning. We’ve always seen the private sector and the functioning of the economy here as the economic front. One dimension is just keeping tax flows moving and businesses running. The other is morale. It’s devastating if you have a collapsed economy plus military challenges.
Subscribe to the NewsletterUkraine Business Roundup<span data-sanitized-id="ukraine-business-roundup-info" data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__info"></span> <button data-sanitized-id="ukraine-business-roundup-subscribe-btn" data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__form_button"> <span data-sanitized-class="ukraineBusinessRoundup__form_label">Subscribe</span> </button> </div>The Kyiv Independent: What would you say to investors who are standing by on the sidelines, waiting for the war to end before putting their money into Ukraine?
John Denton: They've got to make commercial decisions in the best interests. You have to make certain your risk appetite matches the risk that's available.
There's a different level of risk for the allocation of capital in this place. Existing businesses here tend to understand that a little better. The investment you're seeing in Ukraine is coming from existing businesses that understand the terrain. They're reinvesting in the economy, and those investments are often very successful.
You can't completely de-risk, but you can take away some of the extraordinary risks.
The danger with waiting too long is do you then have the relationships in place to participate in the rebuild? That's going to be one of the challenges.
There's a lot more that can be done to facilitate de-risking. You can't completely de-risk, but you can take away some of the extraordinary risks.
We can help export agencies understand that their participation is really important to allow companies to close deals here. Some of them can only provide coverage up to 97%. That (missing) 3% matters. At the URC, we're helping export agencies understand this and problem solve risk coverage.
Ukraine’s long-awaited weapons tech investment boom is finally kicking offUkrainian weapons startups are finally seeing an inflow of funds from Western investors who have long been intrigued by the Ukraine’s defense tech sector but have so far kept their money out of the war-torn country. Financial analysis firm Pitchbook provided the Kyiv Independent with data showing a four-fold rise
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Kyiv Independent: What are the barriers to foreign and domestic investment in Ukraine, and how are you helping break those down?
John Denton: There's just the reality that there's a war going on. It inhibits one's decision-making, but it doesn't mean you don't make the decision.
The other is that there are issues with the application of the rule of law here. We've come up with a solution which I know the Ukrainian government is very happy with – if people are worried that that's an inhibitor, we will use the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration. You can be 100% sure of the independence.There's still a perception of corruption. Many say the country is different than five years ago or before the war. That's true. But sentiment clouds upfront decision-making.
The other thing is, do we actually have clear investment frameworks? Has the government articulated key priorities? Do you want to attract investment only into the most complex areas of Ukraine, or are you neutral as to where it is? There is a risk of mixed messages.
I think the government and the private sector here are working on all those areas. We're seeing better presentation and understanding of projects capable of attracting capital.
Ukrainian authorities restore residential buildings destroyed by Russian forces in the suburbs of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 1, 2023. (Sergii Kharchenko / NurPhoto via Getty Images) Kyiv Independent: Have we seen any results yet from the decreased arbitration costs?
John Denton: It’s too early to tell. There's certainly a lot of interest in it. It's creating an ecosystem of confidence around settling disputes.
Kyiv Independent: The Ukraine Recovery Conference is taking place in Rome next month. Is reconstruction being taken seriously despite there being no end to the war in sight? What can we expect from the International Chamber of Commerce at the conference?
John Denton: There is increasing interest from the private sector about how to manage the risks that will be involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine. And that's why we're involved.
There is a particular challenge with export finance that needs to be thought through. We will be using the URC as a great convening space to do that. The other is more broadly around identifying the inhibitors to private sector engagement in this process and coming up with a roadmap to actually remove those barriers.
The URC creates space for these discussions. We hope this starts more aggressively, not just on future reconstruction, but reconstruction now. To rebuild on a broken system is much harder than if we have a functioning private sector and economy now.Note from the author:
Hi, it’s Dominic, thank you for reading this story. Investment and the role of the private sector in rebuilding Ukraine is going to be a hot topic at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome this July. For now, many investors are holding back their money, but John Denton makes a good point that it's important to invest now to keep the economy alive. To help us keep you up to date with all the latest news from Ukraine, please consider becoming a member.
Ukraine must look beyond the EU for its agricultural futureThe end of the European Union’s tariff-free trade preferences for Ukrainian agricultural products is more than just a policy change, it’s a wake-up call. For years, the EU has served as the largest and most reliable market for Ukraine’s agricultural exports. But as Brussels rolls back preferentialThe Kyiv IndependentMark Iwashko
Zelensky in Austria talks about reconstruction, return of abducted children, punishing oligarchs
President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen signed documents on bilateral cooperation between the two countries during Zelensky’s visit to Vienna on June 16.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Zelensky said that the agreements cover key areas including agriculture, reconstruction, and return of abducted Ukrainian children from Russia.
Zelensky’s visit to Austria comes a day before his scheduled trip to Canada, where he will attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit on June 17.
While at the summit, he is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss, among other topics, a potential purchase of a U.S. military aid package.
According to Zelensky, discussions at the G7 summit will include the fate of Moscow’s frozen assets and the imposition of further sanctions on Russian energy exports.
Before leaving Vienna, Zelensky is expected to meet with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to push for stronger sanctions against Russia.
“We are counting on Austria’s support, both at the state and societal levels, on a sensitive issue for Ukraine: the presence of former Ukrainian officials and oligarchs who are evading justice by hiding in Europe, including Austria, and concealing stolen assets,” Zelensky added.
In 2014, U.S. prosecutors charged Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash with racketeering and bribery, and he was briefly arrested in Austria before posting bail. The Ukrainian tycoon has so far avoided extradition from Austria’s capital, where he resides.
Other wanted Ukrainian top officials in Austria include ex-chairman of Constitutional Court Oleksandr Tupytskyi. He was charged with unlawfully influencing and bribing a witness to induce false testimony, and giving false testimony himself.
High stakes, low resolve: What Ukraine can expect from the upcoming G7 summitAs world leaders prepare to gather in the remote community of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit on June 15-17, Russia’s war in Ukraine once again holds center stage — but views on how to address the three-year conflict diverge sharply. In the five months
The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
Russia demands Ukraine dispose of all western-supplied weapons
Moscow is upping the ante in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, insisting that Kyiv dismantle and dispose of all weaponry received from Western allies. According to Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Ukraine must significantly reduce and safely dispose of such arms, as reported by Russian state media.
"Naturally, all these excesses must be destroyed. All international algorithms are well-known. They (the weapons) must be reduced, disposed of, and this must be guaranteed," Grushko stated when asked if Russia would demand Ukraine to scrap Western armaments.
Grushko expressed concerns that arming Ukraine poses a security threat to Western nations. He cited the example of when the United States supplied Stinger missiles to Afghan Mujahideen, only to later exert extraordinary efforts to regain control over the systems.
"The degree of recklessness among those political figures who continue to flood the market with weapons is astonishing, especially when they are fully conscious that black markets are virtually swelling with arms, which, thanks to corruption schemes, flow to various parts of the globe, including Europe," the Russian official emphasized.
Previously, another condition was added by Russia's State Duma for the third round of negotiations in Istanbul. As noted by the Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee, Ukrainians must halt their attacks on Russian rear areas and agree to a multi-day ceasefire on certain sections of the front line.
Iran claims new ballistic missile tactic allowed breach of Israeli air defenses
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it used a new method to breach Israel’s air defenses during a missile attack early on June 16, that killed at least eight people, Reuters reports.
According to the IRGC, Iranian missiles were guided in a way that caused Israeli interceptor missiles to target each other, confusing Israel’s integrated defense system, which includes Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow platforms.
It did not provide any further details.
Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered and are launched high into the atmosphere before arcing back down onto their target.
They’re only guided during the initial stages of launch, so they can be less accurate than cruise missiles, but have the advantage of reaching incredibly high speeds – sometimes more than 3,200 kilometers per hour – as they approach their targets.
Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) reported for the first time that its systems had an 80-90% success rate intercepting Iran’s ballistic missiles, while roughly 5-10% penetrated the shield and struck populated areas, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The strike came three days after Israel launched a sweeping aerial campaign against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, killing several high-ranking officials, including IRGC aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Kyiv has expressed support for Israel, describing Iran as a “source of instability in the region and beyond,” citing Tehran’s extensive military cooperation with Russia.
Since 2022, Iran has supplied Moscow with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones and short-range ballistic missiles for use against Ukraine. Russia, for its part, has condemned the Israeli air strikes on Iran as “unprovoked aggression” and backed calls for restraint.
Israel is home to one of the largest Russian-speaking populations outside the former Soviet Union, with approximately 1 million people — or 15% of the total population — identifying as Russian-speaking. Israel has historically maintained relatively friendly ties with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 15 that he is considering Russian President Vladimir Putin as a possible mediator between Israel and Iran.
As of June 16, Iran’s Health Ministry claims 224 people have been killed since the Israeli air campaign began on June 13 — 90% of them civilians, according to Tehran. Israel has not confirmed the civilian casualty figure, and independent verification remains difficult.
Russia to demand Ukraine destroy Western weapons to end war, senior Kremlin official saysThe remarks reflect Moscow’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its so-called “peace memorandum.”
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Zelensky's trust rating drops 11 points to 65%, poll shows
Public trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky has dropped by 11 percentage points since May, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on June 16.
The survey found that 65% of Ukrainians currently trust the president, while 30% do not, yielding a trust balance of +35%, the lowest recorded since March.
Zelensky’s still rating remains above the February 2025 low of 57%.
Sociologists can’t pinpoint a specific cause for the short-term decline but highlight factors such as increasing pressure for a ceasefire and the weakening of the surge of popular support seen earlier this year during tense relations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zelensky’s approval had spiked briefly in early May to 74% following the signing of a minerals agreement with the U.S., seen as a diplomatic and economic win. That boost proved short-lived.
The poll shows a stark regional divide. Trust is highest in western Ukraine at 73%, while in the country’s south and east, areas more frequently targeted by Russian strikes, only 61% express confidence in the president.
The data also shows a sharp contrast in attitudes toward territorial concessions. Among those who trust Zelensky, 55% are strongly opposed to any such compromise. Among those who distrust him, 46% are willing to cede territory, while only 43% are firmly against concessions.
The survey was conducted between May 15 and June 3, using a random sample of 1,011 adult residents across Ukraine, excluding occupied territories. Respondents were interviewed by phone.
Russia to demand Ukraine destroy Western weapons to end war, senior Kremlin official saysThe remarks reflect Moscow’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its so-called “peace memorandum.”
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Ukraine receives 1,245 bodies of fallen soldiers and citizens, concluding Istanbul repatriation deal
Ukraine has received the bodies of another 1,245 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and citizens under agreements reached during recent peace negotiations in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 16.
The latest repatriation marks the final stage of the exchange agreement, bringing the total number of Ukrainian bodies returned under the deal to 6,057.
The operation was coordinated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the Ombudsman’s Office, the military, the Interior Ministry, and other state and defense institutions, with assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and member of the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks, claimed that Russia received the bodies of 78 deceased servicemen.
The June 2 negotiations in Istanbul resulted in the most expansive prisoner and body exchange agreement of the full-scale war, although no ceasefire was reached.
The deal followed the largest-ever POW swap in late May, when 1,000 prisoners were exchanged on each side. Additional exchanges last week included severely wounded and sick soldiers.
Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of rejecting a proposed body return, publishing footage allegedly showing Ukrainian corpses stored in refrigeration units. Kyiv dismissed the claims, saying the footage was filmed inside Russia and not at a designated exchange location.
Andrii Yusov, deputy head of Ukraine’s POW Coordination Headquarters, told Ukrainian Pravda that Ukraine is fully abiding by the agreed terms and has made no unilateral rejections.
Kyiv has repeatedly urged Moscow to adopt an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange formula. While over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to resist a comprehensive swap.
With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
Russia to demand Ukraine destroy Western weapons to end war, senior Kremlin official says
Moscow will insist that Ukraine dismantle and destroy all Western-supplied weapons as part of any ceasefire deal, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with the state-run newspaper Izvestia published June 16.
“All these surpluses must be destroyed. All international algorithms are known. They must be reduced, disposed of, and guaranteed,” Grushko said, without offering specifics.
The remarks reflect Moscow’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its so-called “peace memorandum” during recent negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2.
The document calls for Ukraine to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four partially occupied regions — Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk — and demands full Ukrainian troop withdrawal and demobilization.
Grushko argued that Western weapons aid threatens not only Russia but also Europe, warning that arms could end up on black markets.
“It’s crazy how reckless some politicians are, still flooding the market with weapons,” he said.
There is no credible evidence that Kyiv has diverted Western weapons or fueled arms trafficking — a narrative promoted by Russian propaganda to undermine support for Kyiv.
Independent oversight by partner states and institutions has consistently found that Ukraine uses Western weapons to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Moscow's proposals would further prevent Ukraine from joining NATO or military alliances, prohibit its armed forces' redeployment, and stop all Western military aid and intelligence sharing.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Moscow's demands, saying the Russian delegation admitted in Istanbul that their "memorandum" is an ultimatum Ukraine cannot accept.
"They even told our delegation: we know that our memorandum is an ultimatum, and you will not accept it," he said in a June 10 interview with Hungarian outlet Valasz Online.
In contrast, Ukraine's proposal focused on humanitarian measures, including a prisoner exchange, the return of abducted children, and securing the right to join the EU and NATO.
Kyiv has also called for using frozen Russian assets to pay for reconstruction and linking any sanctions relief to a verified ceasefire.
Despite two rounds of talks in May and June, no political breakthrough has been reached. Moscow continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire, while Ukraine presses for an end to hostilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly shown frustration over Russia's refusal to compromise, yet he has refrained from imposing new sanctions.
Satellite images show expansion at 5 Russian nuclear sites near EuropeOne of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Let Ukraine join JEF countries. Especially now.
Editor’s Note: This opinion was co-authored by eight lawmakers from Northern European countries, including the U.K., The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Denmark.
As parliamentarians from Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) member states, we believe the time has come to welcome Ukraine as a full participant in our defense cooperation framework. With Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians intensifying, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war industry running 24/7, and the NATO summit in The Hague fast approaching, it is clearer than ever that bold steps are needed to reinforce Europe’s commitment to Ukraine.
But despite widespread support, opposition from a small number of countries continues to block progress on Ukrainian NATO membership. That makes one thing certain: if NATO cannot take further steps toward Ukraine’s inclusion, the Joint Expeditionary Force should do just that.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence in The Hague will be a powerful symbol of transatlantic resolve. But without concrete progress on Ukraine’s accession, the summit also risks sending an unintended message: that Ukraine is being left in a holding room. We cannot afford that. NATO’s enlargement may be constrained by internal political dynamics, but the JEF is not. Composed of sovereign Northern European nations and led by the United Kingdom, the JEF has the speed and autonomy to act now.
One of JEF’s core strengths is defense innovation through cooperation. Ukraine, under constant attack since February 2022, has become Europe’s most agile and advanced military force. Its drone industry is second to none. Its battlefield experience in drone warfare, electronic countermeasures, and dynamic command structures is unmatched. No military in Europe is as battle-tested or as relevant to the JEF’s mission of rapid deployment and high interoperability.
Ukraine’s JEF membership would not only enrich our collective capabilities. It would also unlock better coordination on investments in Ukraine’s defense industry by JEF nations. This is not charity. It is strategic common sense.
Ukraine’s path to NATO is officially “irreversible,” but in reality, it remains stalled. That makes it all the more urgent to integrate Ukraine into European security frameworks that can act now. JEF membership is not a substitute for NATO, but will in the end be a vital complement: a concrete, immediate step that enhances deterrence and shows that Ukraine’s future lies firmly within Europe.
Welcoming Ukraine into the JEF would deepen operational coordination with countries already supporting Ukraine’s defense, and it would send a clear message. To Kyiv, to Moscow, and to our own citizens, that European support is neither wavering nor conditional. This is more than symbolism. It’s leadership in action.
We, as representatives of JEF nations, urge our governments to seize this moment. If NATO hesitates, let the JEF lead.
Tim Roca (Labour, United Kingdom)
Jan Paternotte (Liberal Democrats, The Netherlands)
Joar Forssell (Liberals, Sweden)
Mikko Savola (Centre Party, Finland)
Raimond Kaljulaid (Social Democrats, Estonia)
Audronius Ažubalis (Christian Democrats, Lithuania)
Irma Kalniņa (Unity Party, Latvia)
Karsten Hønge (Green Left, Denmark)With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
6 killed, 18 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least six civilians were killed and 18 others wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, regional authorities reported on June 16.
Russia launched 138 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones, Ukraine’s Air Force said. Air defenses intercepted 125 drones, while another 41 dropped off radars — likely used as decoys to overload Ukrainian systems.
The assault was repelled using aviation, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups, and anti-aircraft missile systems.
Donetsk Oblast saw the deadliest attacks, with six civilians killed — three in Bagatyr, two in Pokrovsk, and one in Kostyantynivka — and four more injured, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. The region remains one of the most heavily targeted areas amid ongoing Russian offensive operations.
In Kherson Oblast, seven people were injured after Russian forces struck critical infrastructure and residential neighborhoods, damaging eight houses, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
Three women aged 71, 62, and 27 were wounded in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The oblast has been under intensifying Russian aerial and artillery attacks in recent weeks.
Air defenses were active over Kyiv and surrounding areas, where three people were injured in the capital and region. Authorities said drone fragments fell in residential zones.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 46-year-old man was injured as Russian troops carried out 426 strikes on 14 settlements, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.
The latest strikes come as Russia continues to escalate its aerial campaign and reject calls for a ceasefire. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged Western partners to bolster air defense capabilities as drone and missile attacks persist.
‘Russians lie about everything’ — Ukraine hits out at Kremlin claims after yet another drone strike on Kyiv“This is a deliberate tactic of terror,” Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Zelensky proposes Ruslan Kravchenko as new Prosecutor General
President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to the Verkhovna Rada the appointment of Ruslan Kravchenko as Ukraine’s next Prosecutor General, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on June 16.
Kravchenko, 35, currently heads the State Tax Service and is expected to be formally introduced to lawmakers during a faction meeting of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party on June 17. A vote on his confirmation is expected the same day, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
The nomination ends a six-month vacancy at the top of Ukraine’s prosecution service, following the resignation of Andriy Kostin in October 2024. First Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Khomenko has served in an acting capacity since.
Kostin resigned amid a scandal involving prosecutors illegally obtaining disability status, which was discussed during a National Security and Defense Council meeting chaired by Zelensky.
Kostin later admitted to “many shameful facts of abuse” within the prosecutor’s office.
Kravchenko, a native of Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast, has held several senior roles in law enforcement and regional government. He previously served as head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration and led the Bucha District Prosecutor’s Office.
He is best known for serving as the lead prosecutor in the treason case against exiled pro-Kremlin former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was convicted of aiding and abetting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
If confirmed, Kravchenko will take over an office tasked with overseeing wartime prosecutions, including war crimes investigations and anti-corruption efforts linked to Ukraine’s ongoing reforms.
Satellite images show expansion at 5 Russian nuclear sites near EuropeOne of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Satellite images show expansion at 5 Russian nuclear sites near Europe
Satellite images reveal that Russia has expanded and modernized at least five nuclear-related facilities near European borders in recent years, Swedish broadcaster SVT reported on June 16, citing new imagery obtained from Planet Labs.
One of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction.
Images taken in May 2025 show the addition of triple-layered fencing, new buildings, and advanced communications equipment. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski previously said that up to 100 tactical nuclear warheads might be stored at the site.
Kaliningrad, a militarized Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, is a key concern for NATO because of its advanced missile systems and expanding nuclear infrastructure.
A map of the Baltic Sea Region. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent) The Osipovichi base in Belarus, a former Soviet nuclear storage facility, is also being renovated. Satellite imagery shows new air defense installations and a modernized loading platform for rail-based logistics.
In Novaya Zemlya, a remote Arctic archipelago long linked to Soviet-era nuclear testing, several new buildings have appeared, reinforcing its role as a potential site for future test activities.
On the Kola Peninsula, near the borders with Finland and Norway, Russia has built about 50 storage bunkers for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and constructed a specialized pier for loading those missiles onto submarines, according to the imagery.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson responded to the findings, saying Stockholm is “closely monitoring” Russian nuclear capabilities. Sweden officially joined NATO in March 2024 after years of non-alignment, citing escalating Russian threats as a primary reason.
The Kremlin has repeatedly used nuclear threats to pressure Ukraine and Western countries since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
‘Russians lie about everything’ — Ukraine hits out at Kremlin claims after yet another drone strike on Kyiv“This is a deliberate tactic of terror,” Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
'Russians lie about everything' — Ukraine hits out at Kremlin claims after yet another drone strike on Kyiv
Ukraine has accused Russia of “lying about everything” after yet another drone attack on Kyiv injured two people overnight on June 16, saying the strike once again rubbished Kremlin claims that only military objects are being targeted.
The strike hit Rusanivka Gardens, a private neighborhood in the capital’s Dniprovskyi District, creating a crater near civilian homes, and injuring a 20-year-old man and a woman, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said.
“The Russians lie about everything. When they claim to have hit military targets, they are actually targeting our homes and our people,” he wrote on Telegram.
“This is a deliberate tactic of terror."
The injured man was hospitalized in serious condition, while the woman is being treated on an outpatient basis, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
“Miraculously, significant damage and casualties were avoided,” Tkachenko said.
Despite Moscow’s denials, Russia has repeatedly hit civilian areas throughout its full-scale war. On July 8, 2024, one of the deadliest strikes on Kyiv killed 33 people and wounded 121 others, including patients at Ohmatdyt, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital.
The Russian Defense Ministry continues to insist it targets only military infrastructure, dismissing reports of civilian casualties as “absolutely untrue.” The pattern of destruction across cities like Kharkiv and Kherson shows civilians are often the primary targets.
Moscow launched 138 drones at Ukraine overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that air defenses intercepted 125 of them, while another 41 went off radars — likely used as decoys to overwhelm air defense systems.
The strike comes as Russia intensifies its air campaign against Ukraine and continues to reject Western-backed proposals for a ceasefire. Kyiv, located along the Dnipro River in the country’s north-center, remains one of the most heavily targeted cities in the war.
‘Spit in the face’ — Zelensky condemns Russia’s mass attack, dismisses idea of Putin as peacemaker“This is Russia’s spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war … At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East. The level of cynicism is staggering.”
The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk
HUR identifies Russian tanker evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus
An uninsured Russian Aframax-class tanker has been illegally conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in international waters near Greece and Cyprus since July 2024, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported on June 16.
According to the agency, the vessel, operating without Western insurance, is part of Russia’s expanding shadow fleet used to bypass G7 and EU sanctions on Russian oil exports.
HUR said such transfers “pose an environmental threat, allow the aggressor to conceal the origin of oil, evade international control, and ensure its supply to third countries in circumvention of sanctions.”
Ukraine has identified the tanker as IMO 9247443 and listed it on the War&Sanctions platform, along with 159 other tankers allegedly belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet and 55 captains involved in sanction-busting operations.
Despite price caps and Western restrictions, Russia continues to profit from oil and gas exports, which remain a vital revenue source. According to HUR estimates, roughly one-third of those profits are expected to fund Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2025.
In May, the EU approved its 17th sanctions package, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels. The U.S. Treasury had earlier sanctioned over 180 tankers, which together accounted for nearly half of Russia’s offshore oil shipments.
While the Biden administration ramped up pressure on Russia’s oil trade early in 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump has since declined to impose new sanctions, despite Moscow’s continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
EU leaders call for tougher sanctions on Russia at G7 summit“To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,005,060 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 1,005,060 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 16.
The number includes 1,200 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,939 tanks, 22,811 armored fighting vehicles, 52,096 vehicles and fuel tanks, 29,208 artillery systems, 1,418 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,187 air defense systems, 416 airplanes, 337 helicopters, 40,804 drones, 3,337 cruise missiles, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
EU leaders call for tougher sanctions on Russia at G7 summit
The Group of Seven (G7) nations need to impose harsher sanctions on Moscow in order to secure a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said at the start of the G7 summit in Canada.
The G7 Leaders Summit kicked off on June 15 in Kananaskis, Canada, with official talks held June 16-17. While Ukraine hopes to win economic support and unified pressure against Russia, the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran may dominate this year’s conference.
“To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end,” von der Leyen said at a press briefing on June 15 attended by a Kyiv Independent journalist.
Economic sanctions have been an effective intervention since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, von der Leyen said. She noted that combined G7 and European Union sanctions have decreased Russian oil and gas revenues by nearly 80% since February 2022.
"(T)he sanctions are working, and we will do more," she said.
Von der Leyen urged the G7 to adapt the economic restrictions proposed in the EU’s 18th sanctions package, announced on June 10. The new measures target Russia’s energy and banking sectors and propose a further reduction in the oil price cap, bringing the cap down from $60 to $45 per barrel.
“I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavor,” she said.
With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
Costa echoed the call for sanctions and the necessity of economic pressure in order to achieve a ceasefire. Europe is committed to “increasing additional sanctions to cripple (Russia’s) ability to wage war and pressing for an unconditional ceasefire,” he said.
Europe’s call for unity may meet with resistance from the United States, which has assumed a dramatically different posture towards Ukraine and Russia since President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has not imposed any new sanctions against Russia, even Moscow blatantly obstructs peace efforts and escalates mass strikes against Ukrainian cities.
The U.S. also reportedly opposes lowering the G7 oil price cap — a measure first introduced in December 2022 that prohibits Western companies from shipping, insuring, or otherwise servicing Russian oil sold above $60 per barrel.
The price cap debate has become more urgent as oil prices, which had fallen below the $60 cap in recent months, surged following Israel’s recent strikes against Iran.
Despite U.S. resistance, the EU and the United Kingdom — backed by other European G7 countries and Canada — have said they are prepared to move forward with the proposal, even without Washington’s endorsement.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the other hand, has said the EU sanctions and proposed price cap drop don’t go far enough. Zelensky on June 11 said the EU’s 18th round of sanctions “could be stronger” and proposed further slashing the oil price cap to $30 per barrel.
“A ceiling of $45 per barrel of oil is better than $60, that’s clear, that’s true. But real peace will come with a ceiling of $30,” he said. “That’s the level that will really change the mindset in Moscow."
Zelensky and Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit on June 17. The meeting will mark their third in-person encounter since Trump took office.
High stakes, low resolve: What Ukraine can expect from the upcoming G7 summitAs world leaders prepare to gather in the remote community of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit on June 15-17, Russia’s war in Ukraine once again holds center stage — but views on how to address the three-year conflict diverge sharply. In the five monthsThe Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
Trump arrives at G7 summit ahead of high-stakes meeting with Zelensky
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders' Summit late on June 15, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground.
Trump’s arrival comes ahead of his expected high-stakes meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Canada, which holds the G7 presidency in 2025, invited Zelensky to participate in the 3-day summit, which will mark Zelensky’s fourth G7 Leaders' Summit since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
After a disastrous first in-person meeting between the two leaders in the Oval Office in February — during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance lambasted Zelensky over what they described as “a lack of gratitude for U.S. support” — a second meeting in the Vatican led to Trump reiterating calls for a Russian ceasefire and even threatening to impose sanctions on Russia.
In the month since their last in-person meeting, tensions between Trump and Zelensky have risen again. Despite issuing several threats, Trump has not followed through on implementing additional economic pressure on Moscow.
Zelensky said in a closed-door meeting attended by the Kyiv Independent on June 13 that his priority is to speak with Trump about sanctions against Russia, peace talks, weapons purchases, and U.S.-Ukraine economic cooperation.
The anticipated third meeting could signal the future of Trump and Zelensky’s relationship, as well as offer insight into the United States' commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Amid increased anxiety around Trump’s commitment to ending the war, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced that the Pentagon will reduce funding allocated for military assistance to Ukraine in its 2026 defense budget.
On June 12, Zelensky decried Washington’s lack of urgency around sanctions, suggesting that Russia is “lying to Trump.” He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy is to maintain the illusion of dialogue without ever committing to a ceasefire.
“There are steps forward we can take — but we need the political will of the U.S. president, if he wants,” Zelensky said on June 13.
High stakes, low resolve: What Ukraine can expect from the upcoming G7 summitAs world leaders prepare to gather in the remote community of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit on June 15-17, Russia’s war in Ukraine once again holds center stage — but views on how to address the three-year conflict diverge sharply. In the five months
The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
'Spit in face' — Zelensky condemns Russia's mass attack, dismisses Putin as peacemaker
President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 15 condemned Russia’s latest mass attack against Ukraine, calling the strikes on energy infrastructure “a spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war."
Earlier in the day, Russia targeted the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast with a combined missile and drone attack, damaging energy and agricultural facilities. The strike involved nearly 200 drones and missiles, including both cruise and ballistic missiles. The attack came shortly after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said the attack on Kremenchuk was “deliberately and treacherously planned to target our civilian infrastructure” and that Russia intended to damage energy facilities.
“This is Russia’s spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war,” Zelensky said in his nightly address.
“It happened right after Putin’s conversation with Trump. After the Americans asked us not to strike Russian energy facilities. At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East … The level of cynicism is staggering."
Following his call with Putin, Trump claimed he would be “open” to the Russian president acting as a mediator in the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Zelensky rejected the idea of Putin — who has waged war against Ukraine for over 10 years and has taken no steps towards a lasting ceasefire — playing the role of peacemaker.
Putin “is war itself,” Zelensky said, urging the international community not to fall for “Russian manipulation and lies.”
Zelensky also warned that Russia may be planning additional attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, including nuclear power infrastructure. According to the president, Ukrainian intelligence agencies have obtained evidence of Russia’s threat and shared the information with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Trump administration.
“Russia is planning further attacks on our energy sector — attacks that may be less visible to the world right now because all eyes are on the situation in the Middle East,” he said.
Throughout the full-scale war, Russia has attempted to disrupt Ukraine’s power grid through targeted attacks on energy infrastructure. After rejecting a U.S. proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in March, Moscow instead agreed to a month-long ceasefire on energy attacks.
Russia subsequently violated the partial ceasefire, which ended in in April. The Kremlin continues to refuse calls for an unconditional truce.
With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
