USA

June 14, 2025 1:01pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Ben Borges

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office has confirmed plans for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 summit on June 17, according to the Kyiv Independent journalist who attended a closed-door briefing with Zelensky on June 13.  

“Both teams are working to ensure we meet,” Zelensky said.

The meeting would mark the third in-person encounter between the two leaders during Trump’s second term in the White House. Their most recent meeting took place on April 26 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where they spoke privately on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. Both sides described the meeting as productive and constructive, though details remained sparse.

Earlier in February, Zelensky met Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House when the infamous tense Oval Office exchange erupted, with Trump criticizing Kyiv’s perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. support

Zelensky said his priority is to discuss with Trump sanctions against Russia, peace talks, weapons purchase, and U.S.-Ukraine economic cooperation.

“The United States communicates with the EU on sanctions at the level of senators and congressmen. But I want to raise this issue personally with President Trump,” Zelensky said.

“There are steps forward we can take — but we need the political will of the U.S. president, if he wants."

He added that Ukraine has long prepared a “strong” weapons package to purchase from Washington.  “Only at the presidential level can we finalize it,” Zelensky said ahead of the G7 summit.  

Russian offensives in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk oblasts

Zelensky said that heavy fighting is ongoing along Ukraine’s northeastern border. Russian forces have concentrated around 53,000 troops in the Sumy sector, pushing into multiple settlements such as Andriivka, Kindrativka, and Oleksiivka.

According to the open-source monitoring group DeepState, Russian troops have been advancing along the border in Sumy Oblast, with the current front line lying just about 20 kilometers away from the regional capital of Sumy.

According to media reports, Russia exploited a thinning of Ukraine’s front-line forces, which were later replaced by newer, under-equipped formations.

Zelensky said that Russia only pushed seven kilometers deep into Sumy, adding that the Russian army “has been stopped there."

Zelensky added that Ukrainian forces had successfully struck Russian positions in the neighboring Russian Kursk Oblast, near Tyotkino, to stall Russian momentum and split their offensive groups.  

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zelensky confirmed that small Russian reconnaissance groups had briefly crossed into Ukrainian territory — likely for propaganda purposes. One six-man unit was reportedly eliminated one kilometer from the administrative border.  

“For them (Russia), it’s an important story, to take a photo, video,” Zelensky said. “That’s why they are launching small working groups to do just that."

Earlier, the Kremlin has claimed the operations in Dnipropetrovsk are part of an effort to create a so-called “buffer zone.” Ukrainian officials have rejected these claims as disinformation.

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin’s war economy heads toward breaking point

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv. Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Israel-Iran war hits Ukraine’s defenses

When speaking about the recent escalation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, Zelensky said that the subsequent regional tension had driven up oil prices, enhancing Russia’s war financing through energy exports.  

“This factor clearly doesn’t help us,” he said, adding that Ukraine will urge Washington to implement stricter price caps on Russian oil at the G7.

He further revealed that U.S. weapons previously allocated to Ukraine, including 20,000 air-defense interceptors used to counter Iranian-designed Shahed drones, were redirected to support Israel ahead of its recent strikes on Iran.

“That was a serious blow… We were counting on these missiles,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky warned that Ukraine must not become “a bargaining chip” in larger geopolitical negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, and the Middle East. Russia and Iran have deepened their cooperation since 2022, with Iran supplying weapons and technology to boost Moscow’s war machine.

“I was constantly afraid that we could become a bargaining chip, just one factor in the negotiations between the United States and the Russians. So, along with the situation with Iran, the situation with Ukraine was also a factor. They are really dependent on each other,” he said.

Europe's indecisiveness

Zelensky voiced concerns about a slowdown in Western diplomatic momentum, particularly around the "coalition of the willing" initiative led by France and the UK.  

Earlier, media reported that the "coalition of the willing," aimed at offering post-ceasefire security guarantees to Ukraine, has faced delays due to the absence of U.S. commitment.

"Europe hasn't yet decided what to do if America steps back," he said. "Their energy depended on U.S. resolve. Without it, things slow down."

Still, Zelensky made clear that Ukraine would not accept any ultimatums from Moscow amid the uncertainty of Western support. He described the latest Russian ceasefire proposals as capitulation.  

"They pretend to be ready for talks, but all they offer is an ultimatum," Zelensky said. "We won't go along with that. Not now, not ever."

Zelesnky also expressed optimism that the European Union's 18th sanctions package would pass later this month and said he would personally push for closer U.S.-EU coordination at the G7.

Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent. Iran has been one of Russia’s staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Prisoner exchanges and prospects for talks

Zelensky confirmed that prisoner exchanges with Russia are continuing and that another round of direct peace talks with Moscow may take place soon after.

"We expect that they (prisoner swaps) can be completed on the 20th or 21st (of June)," he said.

Over the week, Ukraine and Russia held a series of exchanges under an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul. Most recently, on June 12, Ukraine brought home another group of severely wounded and seriously ill service members.

The June 12 operation followed a similar swap two days earlier, both conducted without immediate disclosure of the number of released prisoners.

The June exchanges are part of a phased prisoner swap arrangement agreed during the second round of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on June 2. While no political breakthroughs emerged from the discussions, both sides agreed to continue exchanging POWs and repatriating the remains of fallen soldiers.

June 13, 2025 9:19pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

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

Iran launched ‘hundreds’ of ballistic missiles towards Israel late on June 13, Iranian state media reported, as Tehran continues it retaliatory attacks in response to Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

At least seven people were injured near the city Tel Aviv as a result of the attack.

The drone attack follows heavy air strikes launched by Israel against Iran, targeting the country’s nuclear program and reportedly killing Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other top officials.

Earlier in the day, Iran launched over 100 drones against Israel, all of which were intercepted outside of Israeli airspace, Ynet News reported on June 13, citing an Israeli military spokesperson.

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier in the day that the U.S. military is on high alert and watching for any kind of retaliation, adding that the U.S. will respond to defend itself or Israel if Iran strikes back.

Before the attacks, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. “I want to have an agreement with Iran,” Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on June 13 that its aerospace commander, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led Iran’s Shahed drone supply to Russia, was killed in the strike on June 13.

Just hours after Russia launched its own missile and drone assault on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin decried the “numerous civilian casualties” in Iran and condemned Israel’s actions as violations of the UN Charter and international law.

Following the inital strikes by Israel, Kyiv expressed concern over the security situation in the Middle East after Israeli air strikes against Iran, but stressed that Tehran remains a “source of problems” in the region “and beyond."

Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent. Iran has been one of Russia’s staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

June 13, 2025 8:56pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Ben Borges

Key developments on June 13:

• Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video
• Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns
• Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia
• Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on June 13.

The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack.

“We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective ‘arguments’,” the service wrote.

The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine’s air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war’s most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push.

Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations.

Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent. Iran has been one of Russia’s staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

There is no confirmed information that Russian troops have entered Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, spokesperson Victor Tregubov of the Khortytsia group of forces told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on June 13, refuting earlier claims published by the New York Times (NYT).

The NYT cited Ukrainian military sources claiming that Russian troops crossed the administrative boundary into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the first time since the war began.

The reporting also referenced a map by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicating that Russian forces advancing in the region had allegedly secured a foothold.

Tregubov said the situation remains unchanged as of June 13. He indicated that no information suggests Russian forces have crossed the administrative border, but he noted that updated intelligence may be available later in the day.

Andrii Zadubiny, press officer of the Khortytsia forces, also rejected the claims.

“No enemy incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been recorded. We refute this information,” he told Suspilne. He suggested that ISW might be relying on Russian sources.

On June 8, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a claim that has not been substantiated by Ukrainian authorities.

The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState also reported no evidence of Russian forces entering the oblast. A map depicting Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine indicates that the Russian troops are only a couple of kilometers from the border.

To date, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a major industrial region in central Ukraine — has not seen confirmed Russian ground incursions, though it has remained under constant threat from missile and drone attacks.

In late April, Ukrainian authorities began mandatory evacuations of families with children from four front-line villages — Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka — located just kilometers from Russian positions.

The latest developments come amid growing pressure on Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts and continued failure of U.S.-mediated negotiations to produce a ceasefire agreement.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect new details of BAE Systems’ new chemical process that the company confirmed to the Kyiv Independent after initial publication. The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned on June 13 that Russia has begun preparing strategic military reserves, signaling plans for military operations that may extend beyond Ukraine.

“According to our intelligence, Russia has started to prepare strategic reserves, which indicates plans for combat operations not only in Ukraine,” Sybiha said during the Globsec conference in Prague, calling for urgent diplomatic and economic pressure.

“Allies need full diplomatic mobilization to stop this war. This is not just a question for Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin only understands strength, and right now it’s crucial to apply sanctions in a timely manner, using them as economic weapons to pressure Russia,” Sybiha said.

The comments come as Russia intensifies its military offensives and missile strikes across Ukraine, despite participating in two recent rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. The first talks were held on May 16, followed by a second meeting on June 2. While both rounds produced agreements on prisoner exchanges, they failed to secure a ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a June 12 interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper that Russia is using the talks to delay tougher U.S. sanctions, while continuing to escalate attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Russia also continues to issue nuclear threats to Western countries. Putin claimed on June 11 that Russia possesses the world’s most advanced nuclear systems, with 95% of its strategic nuclear forces reportedly made up of modern equipment.

Putin emphasized the need to significantly strengthen Russia’s ground forces. Russian defense spending has surged to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War, as Moscow continues to ramp up its military investment amid the ongoing war.

Iranian commander killed in Israeli airstrike oversaw Shahed drone supply to Russia

Amir Ali Hajizadeh was sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 for overseeing Tehran’s supply of Shahed-type drones to Russia.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia

Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers and citizens as part of an agreement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 13.

The repatriation comes after Ukraine brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members earlier this week, with Moscow voicing readiness to release the remains of some 6,000 Ukrainians total during recent peace talks in Istanbul.

The headquarters coordinated the operation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman’s Office, the military, the Interior Ministry, and other state and defense bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also provided assistance.

It is not immediately clear whether Ukraine released the bodies of Russian soldiers in return. During the previous exchange on June 11, Moscow claimed it had repatriated the bodies of 27 Russian service members.

At the Istanbul meeting on June 2, Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a new exchange of POWs but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement.

The talks led to the most extensive prisoner swap in late May, involving 1,000 captives on each side. The exchanges continued this week, focusing on severely ill and wounded soldiers.

Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of failing to uphold a proposed prisoner exchange, a charge Kyiv denied. Russian media published footage showing refrigerated containers allegedly holding the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, suggesting Kyiv had rejected their return.

POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov told Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and not at a designated exchange site.

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.

Amid Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why ‘everybody hates’ Russia

“He (Russian President Vladimir Putin) fought with us in World War II… and now everybody hates Russia and loves Germany and Japan. It’s a strange world,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea

Explosions could be heard across Crimea early on June 13, including in Sevastopol and Simferopol, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported amid Russian claims of Ukrainian drone attacks.

Atesh partisans reported “precise hits” against Russian military facilities near Simferopol.

“Our agents report that due to the negligence of the (Russian) command, valuable equipment was damaged, probably an air defense missile system,” the group said on Telegram.

“There are also losses among the troops,” Atesh said, adding that the exact numbers are difficult to establish.

The pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea’s capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne. Blasts in Yevpatoriia, Saki, Fedosia, and elsewhere were also reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones overnight on June 13, including 70 over Crimea and seven over the Black Sea. Russian officials did not comment on possible damage.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the alleged attacks.

Russia has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, transforming the peninsula into a heavily militarized stronghold to support its war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the peninsula with missiles and drones since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022. Most recently, Ukrainian drones attacked an ammunition depot used by Russia’s 126th Coastal Defense Brigade near the village of Perevalne.

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.

June 13, 2025 7:07pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Ben Borges

Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent.

Iran has been one of Russia’s staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has long been Israel’s strongest backer and any escalation of the conflict will likely cause further shifts in the White House’s geopolitical priorities.

“It will be more difficult for Ukraine to acquire weapons from the U.S. because Washington is expected to boost military aid to Israel,” Serhii Danylov, an expert at Ukraine’s Association of Middle East Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

And this is just one of multiple factors that Israel’s attacks on Iran have already had, and which a wider war in the region would only likely exacerbate.

Oil prices and Russia’s economy

Israel’s attack on Iran could be a godsend for Russia’s ailing oil sector, which fell last month to its lowest price in over two years.

In anticipation of Iran’s retaliation, Brent crude prices, the global benchmark, jumped from $69.36 to $74.5 to $75 per barrel — levels not seen since February — with some oil forecasters warning prices could skyrocket to $80 per barrel.

It’s a jolt that’s shocked the oil sector, which has seen declining prices, particularly after Saudi Arabia spearheaded a production hike and U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs sparked fears of an economic slowdown.

For Russia, this could be the adrenaline shot needed to recover its anemic Ural crude prices, which have dropped 14% year-on-year from January to May, David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, a market analyst group, told the Kyiv Independent.

Russia’s energy sector made up 35-40% of its budget revenues pre-full-scale invasion and is powering its war machine.
Western sanctions on Russian energy and the G7’s Russian oil price cap of $60 per barrel have hampered its profits, with Russia losing more than $150 billion over the last three years, but have yet to deal a crippling blow.

Until the Israeli attacks, the future wasn’t looking so bright for Russian crude. Europe is planning its 18th sanctions package hitting Russia’s energy sector, and the G7 is pushing for a $45 price cap.

If Brent prices continue to rise, it will likely drag up Ural prices too, potentially funneling more money into Moscow’s coffers, said Fyfe.

Ural crude, which is of a similar quality to the potentially at-risk Middle East crude, is an attractive replacement over Brent Crude.

“It’s also possible that the threat posed (however hypothetically) to Middle East oil supplies forces G7 nations to pause their current attempts to lower the price cap for Russian crude exports from $60 to $45,” said Fyfe.

“Shelving that proposal would also be welcomed by the regime in Moscow."

This is not the first time oil prices have risen due to tensions in the region. Iran’s missile attacks on Israel on Oct. 1 caused oil prices to spike by nearly $10 a barrel as forecasters braced for Israel’s retaliation. Experts predicted that a wider conflict in the region would be a gold rush for Moscow.

The situation now is closer to the edge than in October. Back then, Israel said it wouldn’t target Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities. But this time, Israel said it hit the “heart” of Iran’s nuclear program.

According to Fyfe, the main concern that would affect oil prices even more significantly would be Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which could block one-fifth of global oil demand.

This would also mean Iran blocks its own oil exports too, so it would only be a last resort from Tehran, said Fyfe. Even so, just the fear of this hypothetical has been enough to drive up energy prices.

Diplomatic shifts

An Israeli-Iranian war is likely to shift attention from Ukraine to the Middle East — similarly to the Gaza war, which started after Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2023.

"I suspect the main impact on Russia and Ukraine will be the removal of the international media's spotlight and its refocusing on the Middle East, and the same with the attention of the Trump administration," Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at the U.K.'s Aberystwyth University, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Any pressure on Russia for a ceasefire or a peace agreement will drop away."

Russia may see this as an opportunity to redouble its offensive, according to James Shea, a defense and security expert at Chatham House.

"But it is an open question if Russia is capable of a greater military effort than the one it is already making against Ukraine," he said.

Support for Iran

Russia has historically supported Iran and its regional allies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah Islamist group and Syrian ex-President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which was toppled in 2024. In exchange, Iran has supplied its Shahed kamikaze drones to Russia.

Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on June 13, saying that they "threatened stability and security" in the Middle East.

The Kremlin will likely back Iran in its war with Israel politically and diplomatically and through intelligence sharing, according to Danylov.

But Russia has previously opposed Iran's nuclear program, and it might also be afraid of backing Tehran because it would lead to a confrontation with the U.S., Michael Sahlin, a Middle East specialist at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kremlin might also try to present itself as a mediator between Israel and Iran, analysts say.

"Putin is well placed to play the magnanimous peacemaker role alongside Trump and try to arrange a ceasefire and de-escalation," Shea said.

"He will use this to score points with Trump as a reliable partner and use this to persuade Trump to go easy on him in Ukraine and not to impose new sanctions on Moscow."

Trump's peace efforts

The escalation of the war also highlights the failure of Trump's efforts to negotiate peace deals in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

Trump's team has been unsuccessfully trying to broker peace between Israel and Hamas, an Iranian ally in the Gaza Strip, as well as an agreement on ending Tehran's nuclear arms program.

Despite Trump's promise "to stop all wars," those in both Ukraine and the Middle East are now escalating.

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin’s war economy heads toward breaking point

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv. Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

The military implications

Iran has been one of Russia's key allies during the course of the full-scale invasion, second only to that of North Korea.

Russia's default weapon for its near-nightly barrages of Ukrainian cities are variations of the Iranian-designed Shahed drone, imported versions of which first appeared in Ukraine's skies in October 2022.

Since then, attacks have only escalated and recent mass strikes have seen nearly 500 Shahed-type drones launched per night.

Shea told the Kyiv Independent that events in Iran are unlikely to have an effect on Russia's ability to launch mass drone strikes.

"Russia has set up factories on its own territory to produce Iranian Shahed drones under license," he said.

"It also gets drones from China which it converts to military use and has rapidly developed its domestic drone manufacturing since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said most if not all Shahed-type drones used by Russia are now domestically produced, "so the Israeli attack on Iran is not going to disrupt whatever flows used to exist."

But Shea does point out that Russia may have difficulty obtaining newer versions of the Shahed that it doesn't yet mass produce domestically, such as the Shahed 238 (Geran 3) which is a turbojet powered model that can fly much faster than previous versions.

A more unknown quantity are the Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly delivered to Russia late last year.

Despite multiple Western governments confirming deliveries, and the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany placing further sanctions on Iran as a result, to date there have been no reports of their use against Ukraine, Danylov said.

But while Russia's offensive capabilities may remain largely unchanged by Israel's attack on Iran, Ukraine's defensive capabilities — much of which has been supplied by the U.S. — could suffer as a result.

"The U.S. may need to provide greater assistance to Israel in the aftermath for one reason or another, which could ultimately hurt Ukraine," Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect new details of BAE Systems’ new chemical process that the company confirmed to the Kyiv Independent after initial publication. The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

June 13, 2025 6:00pm

Ukraine Russia USA

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump could bring an end to the full-scale war in Ukraine. Speaking at the GLOBSEC-2025 forum on Friday, June 13, Sybiha highlighted the critical role of the U.S. leader in achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace.

Sybiha dreams of a future where Ukraine will no longer be a subject of discussion at forums worldwide, indicating long-term peace has been achieved.

"We, therefore, welcome President Trump's efforts... We want to end the war this year, and we truly have a chance to accelerate our peace efforts," remarked Sybiha. He affirmed the importance of the U.S. leader in reaching a peace agreement.

The foreign minister pointed out that next week will mark 100 days since Ukraine agreed to a complete unconditional ceasefire, an initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Yet, he emphasized that Western pressure on Russia is crucial for achieving this goal.

"After that, we will have a chance to expedite our peace initiatives and begin talks on a broader peace deal or agreements," Sybiha added.

President Trump previously expressed his dissatisfaction with both Russia and Ukraine's inability to reach a peace agreement.

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that the U.S. does not currently appear to be a strong mediator in the peace process.

June 13, 2025 2:41pm

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Europe must begin preparing for a gradual reduction in U.S. military support for both the continent and Ukraine, Tagesschau reported on June 13.

“Yes, that’s right. That would be so, and we have to deal with that,” Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about the U.S. potentially scaling down its support. He noted that the discussions focus on a reduction in U.S. backing rather than a full halt.

The comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Washington would reduce the assistance allocated to Ukraine in the next year’s federal budget.

“We now have to look at how much support drops and whether Europeans can compensate for it,” Pistorius added.

While the U.S. has been Ukraine’s leading military backer under former President Joe Biden, the Trump administration has yet to approve any aid packages and has become increasingly disengaged from peace talks.

Pistorius’s comments come amid increasing uncertainty in transatlantic relations. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on May 16 that the United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent.

Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker said the talks would begin after the NATO summit in The Hague in June.

“Nothing has been determined,” Whitaker said, according to Reuters. “But as soon as we do, we are going to have these conversations in the structure of NATO."

Whitaker emphasized that any drawdown would be closely coordinated to avoid creating security gaps. Still, he reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump’s position that long-standing U.S. efforts to reduce its European military footprint must now be implemented.

“This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot-dragging in this situation,” he said.

In February, Hegseth reportedly told NATO allies that “stark strategic realities” prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe’s security. Leaks reported by the Atlantic in March revealed that both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance privately criticized European defense spending, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his “loathing of European free-loading."

Trump called on NATO member states to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that member states will have agreed to a new goal of increasing defense spending.

“We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4%, and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade,” Rubio told Fox News on May 15.

Such a move would mark a historic shift, with NATO partners collectively accounting for more than half of the alliance’s military capacity, according to Rubio.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, NATO members have significantly increased their defense spending, with countries like Poland and the Baltic nations aiming to reach the 5% target in the coming years.

Ukraine bracing for ‘painful’ reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

Editor’s note: For security reasons, the real names of the soldiers mentioned in this story have not been used. A reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be “painful” and could have potentially “dire consequences” for the global order, Ukrainian lawmakers and soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

June 13, 2025 2:14pm

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 13 appointed Aliona Hetmanchuk as the head of Ukraine’s mission to NATO, replacing Nataliia Halibarenko.

The appointment came “at a critical time for the future of Ukraine, for the future of NATO itself, and, of course, for Ukraine’s future in NATO. I realize the responsibility,” Hetmanchuk said on her Facebook page on June 13.

“As for this moment, we will be fully immersed in preparations for the summit in The Hague,” she added, referring to the upcoming NATO summit that will take place in the Netherlands on June 24 and 25, with Ukraine participating.

Hetmanchuk is a leading Ukrainian foreign policy expert with a background in journalism. She is the founder and director of the New Europe Center and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

Previously, Hetmanchuk co-founded and directed the Institute of World Policy and has advised the Presidential Consultation Committee between Ukraine and Poland since 2016.

Ukraine applied for alliance membership in September 2022, several months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. While NATO has repeatedly affirmed that Kyiv will eventually join, it has yet to extend a formal invitation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on June 9 that the political commitment to Ukraine’s future membership in NATO remains unchanged, even if it is not explicitly mentioned in the final communique of the upcoming summit in The Hague.

“The irreversible path of Ukraine into NATO is there, and it is my assumption that it is still there after the summit,” Rutte said at Chatham House in London.

Rutte’s comments follow reporting that this year’s summit communique, set for release after the June 24–25 meeting, may exclude references to Ukraine. This would mark a notable departure from previous gatherings, where Kyiv’s future in NATO took center stage.

Amid Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why ‘everybody hates’ Russia

“He (Russian President Vladimir Putin) fought with us in World War II… and now everybody hates Russia and loves Germany and Japan. It’s a strange world,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

June 13, 2025 1:02pm

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Kyiv on June 13 expressed concern over the security situation in the Middle East after Israeli air strikes against Iran, but stressed that Tehran remains a “source of problems” in the region “and beyond."

The statement follows what Israel called a “preemptive” strike against Iran overnight on June 13, targeting the country’s nuclear program and reportedly killing top military officials.

“We would like to remind you that the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and provides Moscow with weapons to kill Ukrainians,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Along with North Korea, Iran has been a key ally to Russia during its full-scale war against Ukraine, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has called upon the international community “to take joint and decisive action” and deter a “group of aggressive regimes — Russia, Iran, and North Korea."

Kyiv nevertheless also warned that further hostilities could destabilize the region with “negative consequences for international security and global financial stability, especially in oil markets."

Israeli strikes were quickly followed by a surge in oil prices, Russia’s key export commodity, with Brent and Nymex crude prices jumping by more than 10%.

“We are convinced that restoring peace and stability in the Middle East will serve the interests not only of the region but also of the entire international community,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Iran has pledged a response to Israeli air strikes and accused the United States of “also being responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation.” The Trump administration has acknowledged it knew about the operation in advance but denied any involvement.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Tehran has already launched over 100 drones against Israel in response.

The attacks took place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to find a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. A round of indirect U.S.-Iranian negotiations in Oman was scheduled for June 15.

Russia has condemned Israel’s attacks as “unprovoked aggression” and a violation of the U.N. Charter.

Israel launches ‘preemptive’ air strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

Israeli forces launched “preemptive strikes” on Iran overnight on June 13, tarting Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

June 13, 2025 11:46am

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

U.S. President Donald Trump on June 12 praised Russia’s role in World War II, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin is “confused” why everyone “hates” Moscow.

Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump recounted a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron about World War II commemorations.

“I said, ‘You’re celebrating our victory?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, “Your victory?'” Trump said.

“And then I spoke to President Putin at the time. He lost 51 million people. He (sic!) fought with us in World War II. Russia did fight. It’s interesting, isn’t it? It fought with us in World War II, and everyone hates it.

“And now everybody hates Russia and loves Germany and Japan. It’s a strange world."

Trump said Putin had expressed confusion over the West’s treatment of Russia post-war, citing the Soviet Union’s wartime alliance with the U.S. and U.K.

“We were your ally,” Putin allegedly told Trump. “Now everybody hates Russia."

Trump’s remarks align with a Kremlin propaganda narrative that downplays the Soviet Union’s World War II non-Russian casualties. According to Ukraine’s Institute of National Remembrance, Ukraine alone lost more than 10 million people during the war and suffered immense destruction on its territory — a fact often overlooked in Kremlin-led historical revisionism.

Russia has frequently weaponized its version of World War II history to justify present-day aggression. The Kremlin has invoked anti-Nazi rhetoric and Soviet-era heroism to rationalize its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022 — a war that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.

Trump has positioned himself as the only leader capable of ending the Russia-Ukraine war, but his reluctance to apply real pressure on Moscow has left Kyiv and its allies doubtful. The U.S. president has softened his tone on Russia while repeatedly threatening sanctions over its attacks on Ukraine — yet no new measures have been imposed.

Talking at the press conference about the war and the stalled peace efforts, Trump said he was “disappointed” with both Russia and Ukraine, adding that “deals could have been made."

Trump has previously said that he refrained from imposing additional sanctions in hopes of securing a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

“If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” he said on May 28, adding that a decision would come “in about two weeks."

Despite failed peace efforts in Istanbul and Russia’s continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire, Trump reportedly asked Senate Republicans to delay voting on a bipartisan sanctions bill that would impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries buying Russian oil.

The legislation, introduced in April, has broad bipartisan support, including backing from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its offensive in Ukraine and has shown no signs of seeking peace. It continues escalating its attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing numerous civilian casualties.

Who’s countering Russian propaganda now? Expert on US’ declining disinformation defense

The Kyiv Independent’s Natalia Yermak speaks to James Rubin, a former diplomat who led the Global Engagement Center in 2022-2024, about how deeply the Russian propaganda influences U.S. politics and why the center’s closure “disarms” the country in the information war.

The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak

June 13, 2025 8:44am

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 13 that he was aware of Israel’s plans to conduct strikes on Iran in advance and that Washington is watching for any signs of retaliation by Tehran, Fox News reported.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump told Fox News' anchor Bret Baier.

The comments come after Israel launched heavy air strikes against 100 sites in Iran, targeting the country’s nuclear program and reportedly killing Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other top officials.

In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran, calling it a “unilateral action."

The U.S. has reached out to at least one Middle Eastern ally to say that the strike is going to happen, but that Washington was not involved, Fox News reported.

Trump said the U.S. military is on high alert and watching for any kind of retaliation, adding that the U.S. will respond to defend itself or Israel if Iran strikes back.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Tehran had already launched over 100 drones against Israel, which are expected to reach their targets within the next few hours.

Before the attacks, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. “I want to have an agreement with Iran,” Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks in Oman.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a “diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,” and insisted that his “entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran."

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

In contrast, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report highlighting Iran’s failure to comply with its obligations to fully disclose activities at its nuclear facilities.

Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Israel launches ‘preemptive’ air strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

Israeli forces launched “preemptive strikes” on Iran overnight on June 13, tarting Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

June 13, 2025 7:58am

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

NATO plans to enhance its missile defense systems on its eastern flank in response to a growing threat from Russia, Bloomberg reported on June 12, citing its undisclosed sources.

For the first time, member states of NATO are reportedly considering combining the alliance’s ballistic missile shield with other integrated missile defense assets. The talks are taking place behind closed doors and involve sensitive deliberations, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources.

Moscow has long opposed NATO’s missile defense infrastructure, particularly the U.S.-built interceptors deployed in Poland and Romania, states neighboring Ukraine. The alliance has previously said those systems are intended to counter potential long-range threats from Iran, not Russia.

The so-called “NATO expansion to the east” is one of the key narratives used by Russian propaganda to justify its large-scale war against Ukraine.

The proposed integration of ballistic missile defense with NATO’s broader air and missile defense network would address threats from any direction in the future. This shift suggests the effort would increasingly be focused on deterring Russian capabilities, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

The move comes as NATO ramps up its defense posture more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The alliance recently agreed on the most ambitious new weapons targets since the Cold War.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on alliance members to make a “quantum leap” in defense investment in response to the enduring threat from Russia. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Rutte urged allies to increase air and missile defense by 400%.

Talks on integrating the systems may wrap up ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25, but could continue afterward, the sources said. Ukraine is invited to attend the summit. It remains unclear whether the initiative will still officially cite Iran as a threat or move fully toward addressing Russia.

The effort is part of a broader strategy to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank, but some officials have raised concerns about how it might affect peace efforts in Ukraine and whether the United States will fully support the integration, Bloomberg reported.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump echoed Russian claims that Kyiv provoked the invasion by pursuing its NATO ambitions.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that NATO is deploying a new satellite surveillance system aimed at monitoring military activity in Ukraine and along the alliance’s eastern borders. The system, known as Smart Indication and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD), will use AI-powered analysis to scan large areas and detect potential threats with unprecedented frequency.

NATO expands satellite surveillance to monitor Ukraine, eastern flank

The initiative, named Smart Indication and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD), will allow NATO to scan vast territories with unprecedented frequency, using AI-powered analysis to detect changes and alert allies to potential threats.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

June 13, 2025 6:43am

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Ukraine successfully brought back five children who had been forcibly taken to Russia as well as Russian-occupied territory, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak announced on June 12.

The children have been returned home under the President of Ukraine’s initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, according to Yermak.

“We are fulfilling the President’s mission — to bring back every Ukrainian child,” Yermak said in an statement.

Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself, according to a Ukrainian national database, “Children of War.” Only 1,359 children have been returned thus far.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights, estimated that Russia has unlawfully deported up to 150,000 Ukrainian children, while the Children’s Ombudswoman, Daria Herasymchuk, puts the figure at 200,000–300,000.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, citing their involvement in the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children. Russia dismissed the ICC’s decision as “outrageous and unacceptable."

Under orders from Putin, children were transported via military aircraft in 2022, reclassified in Russian databases as native-born, and subjected to pro-Russian re-education before being adopted into Russian families. Ukrainian children had been transported to at least 21 regions throughout Russia.

Child abductions have played a key part of U.S.-Russia peace negotiations — all of which Russia has thus far rejected. Ukrainian officials have named their return as a key condition for any future peace agreement with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 3 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.

CNN reported on June 11 that the Yale University-based Humanitarian Research Lab, which spearheads the Ukraine Conflict Observatory is preparing to shut down after its funding was terminated by the Trump administration.

A Yale study published on Dec. 3 detailed Russia’s systematic program of deporting and forcibly assimilating Ukrainian children.

With only 2 weeks of funding left, US group tracking Russian abduction of Ukrainian children prepares to shut down

“Right now, we are running on fumes,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, told CNN. “As of July 1, we lay off all of our staff across Ukraine and other teams, and our work tracking the kids officially ends.”

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

June 13, 2025 3:02am

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

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

Israeli forces launched “preemptive strikes” on Iran overnight on June 13, tarting Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.

Netanyahu said in an overnight address that Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” which would last for “many days,” marking a drastic escalation in conflict in the Middle East.

“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program… We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb,” Netanyahu said.

The full extent of the attack was not immediately clear. Multiple explosions were reported in Tehran as videos posted on social media purportedly show fire burning in multiple locations of Tehran.

“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future” Katz warned in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who plans to convene a cabinet meeting in response to the strikes, expressed concerns about escalating tensions between Israel and Iran earlier in the day, warning that a “massive conflict” could erupt in the Middle East.

In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on June 12 ahead of the strikes, Trump warned that an Israeli strike on Iran “could happen” if a nuclear deal is not reached with Iran. Talks between Washington and Tehran were set to resume this weekend on Iran’s nuclear program.

Earlier in the day, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. “I want to have an agreement with Iran,” Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks in Oman.  

Writing on Truth Social later in the day, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a “diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,” and insisted that his “entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran."

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Coinciding with Trump’s remarks, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report highlighting Iran’s failure to comply with its obligations to fully disclose activities at its nuclear facilities.

Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

In April 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified a strategic partnership with Iran, vowing to strengthen bilateral ties and pledging not to support any third party engaged in conflict with the other.

Iran’s parliament ratifies 20-year strategic agreement with Russia

While the pact does not include a mutual defense clause, it outlines commitments for both countries to cooperate against common military threats, enhance military-technical collaboration, and participate in joint military exercises, according to Reuters.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

June 12, 2025 9:56pm

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Most Group of Seven (G7) nations are prepared to lower the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $45 a barrel even without support from the United States, Reuters reported on June 12, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

According to Reuters, the European Union and United Kingdom, backed by other European G7 countries and Canada, are ready to lead the charge in lowering the Russian oil price cap – even if U.S. President Donald Trump opts out.

The price cap, which bans Western companies from shipping, insuring, or otherwise servicing Russian oil sold above $60 per barrel, was first introduced in December 2022 as a measure to limit the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine.

The G7 had previously attempted to lower the Russian oil price cap; however, the proposal was dropped after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly declined to support it.

It is unclear whether the U.S. will support the decision this time around. Japan’s position is also undecided.

Participating country leaders will revisit the price cap discussion at the upcoming G7 summit. Canada, which holds the G7 presidency this year, will host the summit on June 15-17 in Kananaskis County, located in the western province of Alberta.

The summit agenda will include topics such as support for Ukraine in the Russian war, global economic stability, digital transformation, and climate change.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the summit and seek a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

EU could impose Russian oil price cap without US support, Kallas says

The European Union can impose an additional price cap on Russian oil without U.S. support, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said at the Brussels Forum on June 11.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

June 12, 2025 9:32pm

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Reading Time: 10 minutes

Ben Borges

Key developments on June 12:

• Ukrainian forces ‘gradually pushing back’ Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says
• Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles
• Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal
• ‘Juicy target’ — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics plant in Moscow Oblast
• For first time since invasion of Ukraine, US congratulates Russia on National Day

Ukrainian forces are gradually driving Russian troops back from parts of Sumy Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 12, amid escalating cross-border assaults in the region.

“Today, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi — the front and, above all, the Pokrovsk direction, the Kursk operation, the border area of Sumy Oblast,” Zelensky said in a video address.

“Our units in Sumy Oblast are gradually pushing back the occupiers. Thank you to each of our soldiers, sergeants, and officers for this result."

The statement follows weeks of intensified Russian offensives along the northeastern border. Russian troops have advanced into Sumy Oblast since Ukraine’s withdrawal from most of its positions in Russia’s Kursk Oblast in March.

Russia has reportedly taken control of about 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, including roughly a dozen small villages. As of May 31, mandatory evacuations were ordered for 213 settlements.

In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to create a so-called “security buffer zone” along the border with Ukraine, while Zelensky said on May 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops near Sumy.

In a separate interview with Bild on June 12, Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s claims of significant territorial gains as “a Russian narrative” aimed at shaping global perceptions. He stressed that Ukrainian forces have managed to hold off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks.

Sumy Oblast, which shares a long border with Russia, has been under near-constant attack since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

On June 3, Russian strikes on the city of Sumy killed six people and injured 28 others, including children.

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin’s war economy heads toward breaking point

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv. Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who added Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

The announcement comes amid escalating Russian aerial assaults, including a June 10 missile and drone strike on Kyiv, one of the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

“We are grateful for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems,” Zelensky said on June 12. “We understand that deliveries are currently being planned… for the next three years. This is very important assistance."

The IRIS-T is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Since first being delivered to Ukraine in late 2022, the system has at been at the core of the country’s transition to Western-made high-end air defense systems.

Pistorius confirmed the delivery timeline but firmly ruled out the possibility of sending Taurus missiles — weapons Kyiv has repeatedly requested to strike deep into Russian territory.

“You asked me whether we are considering this, and my answer is no,” Pistorius said.

Before taking office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled openness to lifting former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ban on the missiles. That stance has not yet resulted in a policy shift.

Ukraine has already received long-range missiles — including ATACMS from the U.S. and Storm Shadow and SCALP from the U.K. and France. Initially restricted to use within Ukrainian territory, Western allies only began easing those limitations in late 2024.

Germany is Ukraine’s largest military donor in Europe. Zelensky said that Berlin will provide 7 billion euros ($8.1 billion) in aid this year, with investments in defense production being considered.

“Today, we discussed that this aid will continue,” he said. “We agreed on additional investments in production… both in Ukraine and in Germany."

Zelensky visited Berlin on May 28 for talks with Merz, part of an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry amid uncertainty over U.S. support under President Donald Trump.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?

The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder. The modern propellants and explosives that power war have largely been offshored. While Western manufacturers are churning out shell casings, they are short on the materials to fill

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal

Ukraine has brought home another group of service members from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 12, saying the latest exchange focused on “severely wounded and seriously ill warriors."

The prisoners of war (POWs) were released as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia agreed upon during recent peace talks in Istanbul, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the POWs said.

The June 12 release follows a similar exchange on June 10, which also prioritized severely injured and ill captives. As during the previous swap, the number of personnel released was not immediately disclosed.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has also announced that its soldiers had been released from Ukrainian captivity as part of the swap, without disclosing their numbers.

Some of the POWs had been held by Russia for more than three years, according to the headquarters. Many of the released defenders had been classified as missing in action.

“This is part of a major exchange that continues in phases,” the headquarters said in a statement. “These soldiers require urgent medical care and will receive full assistance, including psychological rehabilitation and financial compensation for their time in captivity."

Soldiers from multiple Ukrainian military branches, including the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service, were freed in the exchange. Many had served in combat operations across Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The Istanbul deal was reached during a second round of direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations on June 2. While no political breakthrough was achieved, both sides agreed to a phased exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains.

As part of that agreement, Russia pledged to return the bodies of up to 6,000 Ukrainian service members.

Ukraine has brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members on June 11. Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed Ukraine released the remains of 27 Russian service members, while Kyiv did not confirm this.

The recent prisoner swap comes weeks after the largest such exchange of the war to date, which took place between May 23 and 25, with each side releasing 1,000 captives. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, more than 5,000 Ukrainian POWs have been returned home, according to official figures.

Ukraine continues to push for an “all-for-all” formula to bring every captured Ukrainian soldier back, but Moscow has so far rejected such a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, the Coordination Headquarters said preparations are underway for the next phase of exchanges in the coming weeks.

Ukraine, Russia conduct second prisoner swap under Istanbul deal

“All of them require immediate medical attention,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

‘Juicy target’ — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics plant in Moscow Oblast

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces attacked the Rezonit Technopark in Russia’s Moscow Oblast overnight on June 12, with explosions reported at the facility, the Ukrainian military said.

The operation was designed to “reduce Russia’s ability to produce high-tech weapons and equipment,” as the facility assembles circuit boards and electronics for the Russian military-industrial complex, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said.

The consequences of the attack are being clarified, according to the statement.

“The Rezonit plant in the Zubovo technopark… is a juicy target, located roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Moscow’s center,” Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko said.

According to Kovalenko, the circuit boards manufactured at Rezonit are used for flight control and navigation in Iskander, Kalibr, and Kh-101 missiles, as well as Orlan and Lancet drones and other systems.

Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ published alleged footage of an explosion in Zubovo, with drones audible in the background. The strike tore a hole in the plant’s roof, the channel wrote.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces shot down 52 Ukrainian drones overnight, including three over Moscow Oblast. Russian officials have not yet commented on a possible attack against the technopark.

Zubovo is located around 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border.

Ukraine has repeatedly deployed long-range drones to target Russian military and industrial facilities deep in the rear, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s ability to wage its all-out war.

In one of the most daring operations, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) attacked four Russian air bases on June 1, allegedly hitting 41 Russian bombers and other aircraft.

‘They are not so successful’ — Zelensky rejects claims of major Russian advances

President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected claims of Russian advance as “a Russian narrative,” insisting that Ukraine’s forces have been holding off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

For first time since invasion of Ukraine, US congratulates Russia on National Day

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Russian people on June 12, Russia’s National Day, and expressed a desire for “constructive engagement” to bring peace to Ukraine.

“On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day,” Rubio said in a statement published on the State Department’s website.

“The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future."

After taking office in January, the new U.S. administration took a sharp break from ex-President Joe Biden’s policy on Ukraine and Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s team has sought to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow while being reluctant to commit additional funds or military aid to the besieged country.

“It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries,” Rubio said.

Washington has also signaled an intent to restore ties with Moscow, with both sides discussing venues for possible economic cooperation.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later said that he found it “unpleasant” to read the congratulations from “some countries” on Russia Day.

“As the minister of a country at war, I found it particularly unpleasant this morning to read the public congratulations from some countries to the Russian aggressor,” European Pravda quoted him as saying.

The minister also added that he “has the moral right to say this” and further noted that “there can be no reward for the aggressor country."

While the Biden administration imposed massive sanctions on Russia and sought to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin on the international stage, Trump has often boasted about his close ties with the Russian leader and refused to impose additional economic restrictions.

Russia Day, also known as the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, has been celebrated annually on June 12 since 1992.

The day commemorates the declaration of Russia’s state sovereignty from the Soviet Union, marking the start of a constitutional reform that eventually led to the breakdown of the USSR.

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.

June 12, 2025 5:12pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Ben Borges

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian writers have found themselves grappling with questions not just of survival, but of voice, purpose, and audience.

Can one write fiction in the midst of war? Can creativity endure under air raid sirens and military mobilization? And what does it mean to speak to the world — especially when much of that world is only willing to listen to Ukrainians when the subject is war?

Artem Chapeye, a Ukrainian writer turned soldier, is among those navigating these questions firsthand. Known for his sharp nonfiction and fiction rooted in realism, Chapeye’s literary journey has shifted dramatically in recent years — from an early inability to read anything at all in 2022 to rediscovering language through science fiction and a growing urgency to write again.

In this conversation with the Kyiv Independent during the international Book Arsenal Festival, Ukraine’s largest literary event, Chapeye reflects on the creative cost of war, his fears that the world will only associate Ukraine with war, and the surprising role artificial intelligence might play in leveling the literary playing field for authors working in “small” languages.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: Military service can be both physically and mentally exhausting — do you still find time to read or write for pleasure?

Artem Chapeye: I’d say that during the first year, in 2022, I couldn’t even bring myself to read. So I focused on more mechanical mental activities — like learning languages on Duolingo. I ended up learning two. It was a way to keep my mind occupied and avoid getting caught up in ruminations. Eventually, I started reading again, but I don’t think I began writing until the end of 2024. So yes, I do feel — and still feel — that I lost about three years. Now there’s this strong sense of urgency to get back to writing, to pick up where I left off.

The Kyiv Independent: What do you feel compelled to write about? There’s been a lot of discussion in Ukrainian literary circles — many fiction writers are finding it difficult to write fiction right now and are turning to nonfiction or poetry instead. Understandably, the war has become the central theme.

Artem Chapeye: Sometimes I worry we won’t be able to write anything unrelated to the war — or at least, that anything not about the war won’t interest the world. It feels like a niche we’ve been forced into. In my case, I began with very short nonfiction pieces — reflections and contemplations on what was happening around me.

This resulted in my latest book, called “Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns” in English. It’s also been published in French and, of course, in Ukrainian.

Now I’m trying to return to fiction, but the hardest part has been finding the right voice — the right tone. I realized that writing in a realistic style no longer feels possible for me. My previous book, “The Ukraine,” was what I called pure, photographic realism. But with this material, that approach doesn’t work.

When I started reading again in 2023, after a year in the army, I turned to fantasy and science fiction — genres with very different voices. I read “The Lord of the Rings,” and a lot of Philip K. Dick. Eventually, I came to understand that I already knew what I wanted to write — I had just been searching for the right voice for three years.

Now, I think it’s finally coming together. I hope to finish my first fiction book (since the start of the full-scale war) by the end of 2025. But it will have to be short, because there’s still that ever-present sense of urgency — that feeling that at any moment, everything could be interrupted.

The Kyiv Independent: When it comes to writing about the war, do you find it challenging to describe that experience? In some sense, the war affects everyone in Ukraine, but not everyone has firsthand experience of being targeted almost daily in a front-line city or sitting in a trench. Foreigners are even more removed from our wartime reality. Did you struggle with any kind of cognitive dissonance because of that while writing?

Artem Chapeye: I think it’s important to portray different aspects of war. It matters to understand the war from the perspective of a refugee, or a woman with children, for example. I’m fully aware that my own experience is limited.

After three years, you realize that your perspective is confined to the work you've been doing. I’ve never been in the trenches myself — my role has focused on working with prisoners of war. That, too, is a unique experience, and it deserves to be explored.

The real challenge is turning your limited, personal experience — and the experiences of those around you — into something universal. Something that resonates not only with Ukrainians, but with a global audience. That’s what I’m trying to do.

In fact, the new book I’m working on won’t mention Ukraine or Russia even once. For Ukrainians, it will be obvious what it’s about — but my goal is to create something universal, beyond national borders. Because I worry, as I mentioned earlier, that we’re being boxed into a single narrative.

I’ve already seen this dynamic at work: when I write about the war in Ukraine, American media is interested. But when I once tried to comment on what (U.S. President Donald) Trump means to us — how he's perceived from the outside — no one paid attention. I get it. People are often focused on their own stories and don’t always want to be shown how they look from someone else’s perspective.

The Kyiv Independent: Is there a particular type of literature or style of writing from Ukrainian authors that you’d love to see foreign publishers focus on? For example, later today during the Book Arsenal Festival, we’ll be speaking with Irena Karpa — her work is not directly related to the war. It’s vibrant, playful, and explores the experience of womanhood in Ukraine. That should be especially interesting for international audiences who often discuss feminism, as her approach is quite different from what they’re used to.

Artem Chapeye: Honestly, I’ve stopped believing strictly in genres altogether. I was really happy when Kazuo Ishiguro won the Nobel Prize — I loved his work long before that, and I’ve always been a fan of science fiction. I grew up with it.

Now, science fiction can be recognized as serious literature, which I think is fantastic. The same goes for literature coming out of Ukraine. It can be science fiction, or vibrant and playful like Irena Karpa’s writing, or something melancholic, or even dark comedy.

It doesn’t really matter what the genre is — what truly matters is the quality of the work itself.

The Kyiv Independent: There are so many opportunities to publish both classic and contemporary Ukrainian literature. What do you think it will take for international readers to become more interested in Ukrainian literature that isn’t focused solely on the war?

Artem Chapeye: The main problem is that there are not enough translators. More are emerging, yes — but it’s still hard to tell who is truly skilled. When I tried reaching out to one translator, she told me she was fully booked for the next two or three years. So clearly, the pool is very limited. And Ukrainian isn’t an easy language to master.

This points to a bigger issue: most of what we call “world literature” still comes from former imperial languages. The British Empire left behind a global English-speaking legacy. That’s why a novel like “Half of a Yellow Sun” (by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) — which tells the story of the Igbo struggle in Nigeria — is written in English and widely read.

The same goes for Russian literature. It’s well known partly because there have been so many translators working on it for a very long time. But this challenge isn’t unique to Ukraine. It affects any writer working in a language that isn’t one of the four or five dominant global languages.

Author Yuri Andrukhovych on Ukrainian dissident art in Soviet times

In Soviet times, being a pro-Ukrainian artist was dangerous. The Soviet secret police were particularly brutal in Ukraine, given that it was a country with a long history of resistance to Russian rule. Still, new generations of artists remained committed to their culture in the face of widespread Russification. Among

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

So yes, the lack of translators is a major barrier. I was recently talking to the philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko, and we both had the same thought: maybe, just maybe, artificial intelligence could become a kind of equalizer for writers from countries like Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic — or even from places like Bangladesh or Papua.

If AI can speed up the process of translation — allowing human translators to focus more on refining rather than starting from scratch — it might actually level the playing field. Because right now, if you go to a place like France, yes, they do publish translated literature — but 90% of it is translated from English.

The Kyiv Independent: But do you really think that AI can capture the subtleties of the Ukrainian language, especially the humor?

Artem Chapeye: No, not at the moment. But then again, many human translators can’t either. I wrote a novel I really love called “Strange People” that’s written in a mix of Ukrainian and Russian — a dialect known as “Surzhyk.” It would be difficult to translate, to say the least.

Think about it this way: when Faulkner writes in a Southern dialect, it still gets translated. That’s possible because many people — myself included — can read Faulkner in the original and understand those nuances. But there are very few people who can truly grasp the subtleties of Ukrainian in its original form.

Now, if AI could at least handle the bulk of the translation — the structure, the plot — that might reduce the human translator’s workload to just two or three months, instead of years.

Right now, that’s still (in the realm of) science fiction. It’s not possible yet. But I believe that maybe, just maybe, in another generation, the language of a book, a movie, or even a video game might not matter so much anymore.

The Kyiv Independent: It’s really interesting to hear your perspective, especially since many creative people tend to be quite dismissive and pessimistic about AI.

Artem Chapeye: Actually, for legal reasons, I joined the Society of Authors in the U.K., and they’ve had some intense debates about AI. There was even a push to get everyone to sign a petition to ban AI outright. But I kept wondering — how can you really do that?

I was always on the mailing list, quietly hoping to offer a different perspective. Because I truly believe that, one day, it won’t matter whether you’re writing in Ukrainian or English. What should matter is the story itself — its relevance to humanity as a whole.

Right now, I often feel I know more about life in Milwaukee than in, say, (Ukraine’s) Khmelnytskyi Oblast — even though I live in Ukraine. I can envision a city like St. Jude because I’ve read (Johnathan) Franzen. I can picture life in the American Midwest, but I couldn’t say the same for a village in Ukraine — unless I actually go there myself.

Note from the author:

Hey there, it's Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading my latest article. It was a great pleasure for me to reunite and speak with Artem Chapeye, one of those Ukrainian writers I've known for years. One of the few bright moments in the dark days of the start of the full-scale war was congratulating him on being the first Ukrainian author to get published in the print edition of the New Yorker. If you haven't heard of him before this interview, I hope it made you interested in learning about more of his work. If you like reading this sort of material, please consider supporting us by becoming a paid member of the Kyiv Independent today.

June 12, 2025 1:44pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy will soon be stepping down from her post, the U.S. Embassy in Russia announced on June 12.

The statement said that Tracy is “concluding her mission at the U.S. Embassy in Russia,” without providing further details.

The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump makes a decisive break from the previous Biden administration’s Russia policy, aiming to restore relations and negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.

Tracy replaced John Sullivan at the key diplomatic post in Moscow in January 2023, after being nominated by former President Joe Biden.

A seasoned diplomat, Tracy previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Armenia and held posts at diplomatic missions in Russia, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The embassy announced a live stream on June 13 to “bid farewell” to the outgoing envoy.

Tracy led the U.S. mission in Russia in one of the lowest points of the U.S.-Russian relationship in decades, as Washington imposed massive sanctions on Moscow and backed Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Though diplomatic contacts during this period were limited, Tracy played a key role in negotiating the release of U.S. citizens held in Russia, such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

The ambassador is concluding her mission after around two years, a similar time period to her predecessor. It is not immediately clear who will replace her.

In April, Bridget Brink, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, unexpectedly resigned, later explaining the move by opposition to Trump’s foreign policy.

Russia also appointed its new envoy to the U.S., Alexander Darchiev, earlier this year amid a thaw in U.S.-Russian ties under Trump.

America’s weak strongman

Over the past two months, financial investors have hit upon a new trading strategy, based on a simple rule: TACO — Trump Always Chickens Out. America’s president threatens to slap massive import tariffs on friends and foes alike, or to remove the Federal Reserve chair, only to back down when

The Kyiv IndependentTimothy Snyder

June 12, 2025 1:35pm

Ukraine Russia Protests Photos USA

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Ben Borges

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv.

Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for more offensives this summer, and escalates drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

But behind the figure lies an economic time bomb that the Kremlin will find impossible to ignore.

"(Russian President) Vladimir Putin made a fundamental strategic mistake in deciding how to resource this war," George Barros, Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), told the Kyiv Independent.

“What Vladimir Putin has done is he has created a system in which he doesn’t use the monopoly of violence of the Russian state to coerce Russians to go fight and die in Ukraine, as the Soviet Union might have. What Putin has done is he’s created an alternative social contract where he pays you to go fight in Ukraine.

“That strategy can work if you’re planning on running a short war. It does not work if you are running a multi-year protracted war."

Russia’s two armies

Russia effectively has two armies — a conscript army, and a contract army.

Russia’s conscript army is the country’s standing armed forces that are required to defend Russia itself.

To maintain this force, the Kremlin conducts conscription twice a year, in spring and fall, requiring eligible men to serve for one year.

In the latest draft, Putin signed a decree on March 31 ordering the spring conscription of 160,000 men.

But crucially, conscripts by law are not allowed to be sent abroad to fight wars in foreign countries, something which is not only a legal contract, but a social contract that is deeply embedded in Russian society — civil society groups consisting of the mothers of conscripts are perhaps the only group of Russian citizens that Putin is still forced to respect and listen to.

This is where Russia’s contract army comes in.

“When the full-scale invasion started, the Russians attacked Ukraine with what they call the contract servicemen, the professional military who have some experience, and (voluntarily) sign contracts for a fixed period of time,” Kateryna Stepanenko, Russia deputy team lead and analyst at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), told the Kyiv Independent.

But Russia soon ran into a problem — the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Kremlin had envisioned a swift and easy victory over Ukraine, and the capture of Kyiv within a matter of days. This proved to be a disastrous miscalculation and instead, many of Russia’s most elite troops and modern equipment were obliterated by Ukrainian resistance.

As the war dragged on, and Russia’s losses mounted, Moscow needed to replenish its forces without drawing upon its conscript army and announcing a full mobilization to avoid unrest.

A partial mobilization announced in September 2022 led to the only widespread protests against the war inside Russia during the entire full-scale invasion, making clear to Putin that announcing anything more would cause him serious problems.

“The Russians realized that they were in a challenging political situation,” Stepanenko said.

The solution? Pay people to fight.

“It is the only way of recruitment for the war now because ideologically motivated recruits ended in spring-summer 2022 and partial mobilization of the fall 2022 created domestic political tensions and risks which were considered as unacceptable for the Kremlin in those circumstances,” Pavel Luzin, senior fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told the Kyiv Independent.

The contract soldier’s price

Russia’s mounting losses throughout the war created a double-edged problem — more and more replacements were needed, but attracting them to what was clearly such a high-risk endeavour necessitated increasing rewards.

The solution? Keep offering more and more money.

Sign up bonuses for joining the Russian army have ballooned over the course of the war. In July 2024, Putin ordered a doubling of the lump-sum payment offered to recruits in September 2022 to 400,000 rubles (over $5,000).

But this was just the base level payment — the Kremlin has placed recruitment quotas on Russian oblasts, meaning some have had to offer many times more than this in order to reach them.

“There are some oblasts in central Russia that are offering up to $40,000, 3 million rubles plus, just for a one-time sign-up bonus,” Barros said.

For context, the average Russian monthly wage in 2024 was $980, so a one-time sign up bonus of $40,000 is nearly four times higher than what the average worker can expect to make in a whole year.

But with such huge losses in Ukraine, the bill for the Kremlin is huge.

“They lose and recruit somewhere in the ballpark of 35,000 to 45,000 people per month, and perhaps they recruit a little bit north of that number,” Barros said.

“At $40,000 a head just for the sign-up bonus, let alone salaries and other benefits and remittances if you’re killed or wounded, this is a very fast way to not be sustainable."

According to an analysis by economist Janis Kluge, Russia’s daily bill just for sign-up bonuses is $24 million.

The ballooning bills come at a time when Russia’s economy is already under huge strain from Western sanctions and falling oil and gas revenues.

“The implications for Russia are grave,” energy security analyst Wojciech Jakóbik wrote in an op-ed for the Kyiv Independent this week.

“Military spending has ballooned to 6.3% of GDP — its highest level since the Cold War — while the budget deficit continues to rise,” he added.

“To fund its war, the Kremlin is raiding reserves, raising taxes, and cutting social programs. Absent war spending, Russia might already be in recession."

Could Russia’s economy collapse?

Predictions about the imminent collapse of Russia’s economy have been made throughout its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, yet so far it hasn’t crashed and burned as some expected.

But three years of sanctions are eroding the country’s fiscal stability, despite Moscow claiming otherwise.

Russian GDP growth has dropped precipitously this year as sanctions hamper its main sources of income — oil and gas revenue — and curb imports of components needed for its military-industrial complex.

According to Barros, making any predictions about whether or not the Russian economy is going to collapse is “supremely difficult to do,” but the signs for the Kremlin “don’t bode well."

“If you look at the current Russian economic indicators, for example their inflation rate, their overnight lending interest rates, Russian monetary constraints… government spending is out of control — it’s a very loose fiscal policy and so the economy is at risk of overheating,” he said.

“I don’t know to what extent the economy can continue to last."

Barros said one major thing to keep an eye on are the Russian banks that are taking on “tremendous amounts of debt” in order to finance the Russian economy and the Kremlin’s war machine in Ukraine.

“I suspect what will happen one day at the current rate is a Russian bank will have to default on its debt and that will trigger some sort of financial meltdown,” he said.

“I can’t name the time or the hour or the place, but it seems very much like Vladimir Putin today is writing checks that Vladimir Putin a year or two years from now will not be able to cash."

Keeping up the pressure on the Russian economy

Currently, Western sanctions against Russia are still in place and the EU has just announced its 18th package.

In the U.S., a bipartisan sanctions bill, introduced on April 1 by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Senate Democrat Richard Blumenthal, seeks to impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and raw materials.

This would deal another major blow to the Kremlin and its ability to wage war but U.S. President Donald Trump seems in little rush to hurry it through.

But the biggest factor in bringing down the Russian economy remains in the hands of Ukraine.

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that the key driver, the engine of Russia’s economic woes, is in fact its casualty rate and its losses on the battlefield in Ukraine,” Barros said.

“That is what is driving the need to recruit and replace 45,000 soldiers a month. That is what is destroying all the main battle tanks. That is what is actively destroying the Russians.

“And the minute the Ukrainians become less lethal, the minute that the Ukrainians do not impose those heavy losses on Russia at the same scale, then the economic picture becomes much better for the Kremlin."

Putin’s suspected daughter found working in anti-war galleries in Paris

Nastya Rodionova, a Russian writer and artist who has been based in Paris since 2022, had only met gallery manager Luiza Rozova in passing at events before she learned who the 22-year-old’s parents were. Described by a number of people as a “very nice and well-mannered girl,” Rozova is

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

June 12, 2025 12:13pm

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

NATO is rolling out a new satellite surveillance system designed to monitor military activity in Ukraine and along the alliance’s eastern borders, senior commander Admiral Pierre Vandier told Bloomberg in comments published on June 12.

The initiative, named Smart Indication and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD), will allow NATO to scan vast territories with unprecedented frequency, using AI-powered analysis to detect changes and alert allies to potential threats. The alliance has reportedly selected U.S. satellite imaging firm Planet Labs as the project’s key partner.

“Today, we’re not certain the Russians will stop at Ukraine,” Vandier said. “We’ll be able to tell them: we’re watching,” he added.

Vandier, who oversees the alliance’s battlefield innovations, emphasized that the ability to monitor troop movements and detect ceasefire violations has become a central concern for European allies, particularly as discussions continue around future peace frameworks for Ukraine.

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initiated a so-called “coalition of the willing,” uniting countries that would back a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

So far, at least 37 countries have been involved in the coalition’s discussions, with 15 reportedly ready to contribute their troops. Other members have been asked to provide other forms of support, including intelligence, arms, or naval support.

The launch of SINBAD comes as NATO seeks to boost its own capabilities in space surveillance, a field where the alliance has long relied heavily on U.S. assets. While the U.S. remains central to NATO’s space strategy, European allies are moving to reduce dependency, especially amid shifting U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump.

Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the U.S. commitment to NATO, signaled intentions to reduce U.S. troop presence in Europe, and blamed Ukraine’s pursuit of alliance membership for provoking the war.

The alliance is also expected to endorse a new defense spending benchmark, 5% of economic output, with 3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for related sectors, at its upcoming summit in The Hague on June 24–25.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine has been invited to attend the NATO leaders' summit. “We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important,” Zelensky said during a June 2 press conference.

Zelensky noted ongoing discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other alliance officials on Ukraine’s potential role and outcomes at the summit.

Russia doubts NATO’s Article 5, could use ‘little green men’ to test it, German intelligence chief warns

“They don’t need to send tanks for that,” German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl told Table Media. “They just have to send ‘little green men’ to Estonia to defend the allegedly oppressed Russian minority.”

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

June 12, 2025 10:24am

Ukraine Russia Photos USA

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Russia is attempting to delay peace negotiations to avoid tougher U.S. sanctions, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with German tabloid Bild on June 12.

His comments come as Russia continues to reject a full ceasefire despite having initiated two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul — first on May 16 and on June 2.

Both rounds resulted in agreements on prisoner exchanges, but failed to deliver progress toward ending hostilities. During the negotiations, Moscow ramped up ground offensives and launched massive attacks on Ukrainian cities.

“It’s important for them to show (U.S. President Donald) Trump that there is a diplomatic bridge between Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky told Bild.

“So that sanctions aren’t imposed against Russia” while talks are ongoing, Zelensky said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy is to maintain the illusion of dialogue and then argue: “We’re talking to each other! If sanctions are imposed, there will be no more talks."

Zelensky warned that Moscow’s goal is not peace but buying time.

“Putin feels that his economy is now suffering,” he said. “But he wants to gain even more time until the strong sanctions are introduced, because he can still hold out for some time."

Trump has previously warned he would impose new sanctions on Moscow, but has yet to take the step. On June 5, Trump said he was withholding the move in hopes of a potential peace deal but warned he could act if Russia continues to stall.

“When I see the moment where it’s not going to stop… we’ll be very tough,” Trump told reporters.

Critics, as well as Zelensky, argue that the slow implementation of sanctions gave Russia time to adapt its economy and defense sector. “The main mistake of the sanctions was that they were introduced too slowly,” Zelensky said.

Trump has repeatedly said he is monitoring the situation and hinted sanctions could come soon if progress is not made. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate that would impose harsh tariffs on countries buying Russian oil remains on hold as lawmakers await Trump’s signal.

‘Deadline is in my brain’ — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat