Following the second round of direct peace talks with Ukraine, the Russian side leaked its proposal on how to end its war — effectively a demand for Ukraine’s surrender.

Yet, if the intentions of the Kremlin are no secret — continue the war until a political or military victory — getting information on what people in Russia think of their country’s war and the prospects for peace is a more complicated endeavor.

While those based in Russia interviewed by the Kyiv Independent share a desire for peace, they are no supporters of Ukraine and its sovereignty.

Despite speaking on condition of anonymity and with the ability to freely express their views, Russians inside the country spoke along the official Russian lines — accusing Ukraine of stalling the negotiations or even arguing that there will be no peace as long as Ukraine remains an independent country.

These views are in line with polls conducted in Russia, which some believe are untrustworthy.

Around 64% of the respondents in Russia favored peace talks, according to a poll by the independent Russian pollster Levada Center published on June 2.

However, a majority of respondents (73%) believe that Ukraine should make concessions prior to a ceasefire. Only 18% think that Moscow should agree to a ceasefire and then resolve all other issues.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Soviet nostalgia

The Kyiv Independent interviewed people with different backgrounds and views, including ones who have a track record of being opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

One of them, a 40-year-old photographer, used to attend rallies against Putin.

Yet the photographer’s past opposition to Putin did not make her a supporter of Ukraine, nor did it mean she acknowledged her country’s faults. In a conversation with the Kyiv Independent, the photographer expressed nostalgia for the Soviet Union and said that she believes there will be no peace until former Soviet republics are reunited under the Kremlin’s wing.

“Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus would unite into one country,” she said. “And then there would be no more problems. And all the foreign agents would get kicked out."

She also argued that “recognizing all the (occupied) territories as part of Russia is a done deal."

Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in 2014. The Kremlin also announced the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022 despite only partially controlling them.

According to a document leaked after the second round of talks with Ukraine, Russia is demanding the official recognition of all these annexations.

Additional demands include Ukraine’s neutral status, a ban on the country’s NATO bid and other possible military alliances, and an official end to Western arms supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

According to a source in the Ukrainian President’s Office, the Russian delegation effectively showed it doesn’t want a peace settlement and is simply buying time to prolong the war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Kyiv would not recognize any of the occupied territories as Russian.

Who is Vladimir Medinsky? The Putin aide leading Russia’s delegation at Ukraine peace talks

Despite an invitation from President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet face to face in Istanbul, President Vladimir Putin was a no-show in Turkey, sending instead an aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to head the Russian delegation in peace talks. Medinsky headed the last and only other direct talks between the two sides in

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Blaming Ukraine

Unlike the photographer, a Russian official who previously worked with Putin’s aide Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation during the Istanbul talks, was more ambivalent.

He opposed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but has grown more skeptical of Kyiv’s position since then and accused Ukraine of stalling the negotiations.

The official shared his personal opinion. He is not connected to the actual talks.

He told the Kyiv Independent that “any negotiations are a good thing."

“It’s a step forward,” he said. “It’s better than a demonstrative refusal to negotiate. I agree with (U.S. President Donald) Trump that people shouldn’t be dying. Enough already."

He argued, however, that an unconditional ceasefire is currently “technically and politically impossible” because it would be to “Ukraine’s advantage."

He accused Ukraine of disrupting the talks, saying that it had not sent a proper negotiating team to Istanbul. Ukraine has sent a delegation headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul, while Russia has sent a low-level delegation headed by Medinsky.

The official claimed that Ukraine “got carried away and deceived itself with their own propaganda” and “put too much faith in their (Western) partners,” the points often mentioned by Russian state TV.

Putin did not attend the Istanbul peace talks despite an invitation from Zelensky to meet him face-to-face. Ukrainian and Western observers have argued that Russia is disrupting the peace negotiations.

The official, who used to work with Medinsky in a field unrelated to negotiations, went on to praise him as a manager and negotiator.

As Russia refuses to accept ceasefire, will Trump pressure Moscow?

Three weeks ago, Ukraine and the U.S. agreed to implement a full 30-day ceasefire. Russia declined to do so, issuing a list of demands instead. On April 4, Russia hit a residential neighborhood in the city of Kryvyi Rih with ballistic missiles and drones, killing 19 people, including nine

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

A pessimistic forecast

An IT specialist living in Russia offered a third perspective, blaming neither Moscow nor Kyiv for the war.

“My attitude toward political events is similar to how I view developments on financial markets… or even like the weather,” he told the Kyiv Independent. “In my worldview, what happens in all these spheres is the result of a sufficiently large number of actors and factors… rather than the result of malice, stupidity, or genius on the part of specific individuals."

He said he would be calm about any outcome of the peace talks.

The IT professional told the Kyiv Independent, however, that the war had had a negative impact on his life from a practical standpoint: salaries in the IT sector have dropped, there are fewer job opportunities, and there are major difficulties with accepting payments from abroad.

He also said that financially he can afford not to work but has to have a permanent job to defer potential mobilization.

“But in my view, neither peace nor a ceasefire in Ukraine would actually resolve any of the above problems,” he said. “Once this episode of the confrontation ends, another one will just begin."

He added that “the key indicator of readiness to end the confrontation is the willingness of all parties to agree on the legal status of the disputed territories."

“We’re nowhere near that,” he continued.

‘There we go again’ — For war-weary Europe, Trump-Putin call yet another signal to ‘wake up’

After a two-hour call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia reiterated its refusal for a full ceasefire in the war in Ukraine while the U.S. once again failed to respond with any significant pressure. For observers across Europe, watching the way the negotiations

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

Russians outside Russia: ‘No peace until Putin is out’

In contrast with those based in Russia, Russian political exiles living abroad put the blame squarely on Putin, although they did not blame the Russian people in general for continuing to wage it.

"(Putin is) continuing the war while dragging out these endless negotiations — talks about talks, meetings for the sake of more meetings — hiding everything behind vague, meaningless language, all while keeping the war going,” Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza told the Kyiv Independent.

Kara-Murza survived poisoning attempts by Russia’s Federal Security Service in 2015 and 2021, according to Bellingcat, Der Spiegel, and The Insider.

He was jailed in Russia in 2023 for criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and released and sent abroad in 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange with the West.

Kara-Murza also said that “Putin is playing Trump brilliantly — because if you just listen to the tone of Trump’s statement, it was filled with admiration and enthusiasm after a conversation that, once again, was absolutely meaningless in substance."

He was referring to Trump’s statement after a phone call with Putin on May 19, during which the Russian president again rejected an unconditional ceasefire. Trump said the call “went very well” and once again refused to impose sanctions against Russia.

Kara-Murza argued that Trump and Putin get along because “they have the same kind of authoritarian mindset, they share the same psychological profile."

“I think Trump really wanted to rule the way Putin does — without checks and balances, without a parliament, without opposition, without an independent press,” he added. “Even people who were present at their meetings during his first term have said that Trump, in Putin’s presence, was like a rabbit staring at a boa constrictor. So I think Trump genuinely admires Putin — personally and sincerely — and wants to be like him."

Kara-Murza is skeptical about the prospects for peace under Putin.

“I’m convinced that no lasting, long-term — let alone just — peace can exist or will exist as long as Putin’s regime remains in power,” Kara-Murza said.

He said that “the only real way to stop this war is a democratic Russia."

“Only when Russia has a normal, legitimate, freely elected government that respects its own laws and the rights of its own citizens will it begin to respect civilized norms of international behavior and return to its internationally recognized borders,” Kara-Murza added.

In contrast with Kara-Murza, Russians inside the country who spoke on condition of anonymity were more ambivalent about Putin’s role, often blaming Ukraine or both sides.

At the same time, Kara-Murza does not extend the blame for the war to Russia as a whole. In 2024, he criticized the sanctions imposed against Russia, saying that only individual sanctions against Putin’s inner circle were appropriate.

‘Conditions for Ukraine’s surrender’ — Why Putin’s demands for ceasefire make no sense

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s conditions for a ceasefire are unrealistic and tantamount to demanding that Ukraine disarm itself and surrender, analysts say. Putin said on March 13 that Russia was ready to agree to the U.S.-backed 30-day-long ceasefire in Ukraine but then followed by listing a number of

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Ukraine’s victory is ‘the only real peace’

Another Russian opposition figure, former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, is on the far end of the spectrum — he is one of the few Russians who unequivocally support sanctions against Russia and call for Ukraine’s victory.

He told the Kyiv Independent that “Putin wants to use negotiations to buy time, to normalize his status as a legitimate leader instead of an invading war criminal, and to distract and sideline Ukraine’s allies from taking stronger action against Russia."

“Putin’s impossible demands have not changed,” he added. “He’s not offering any concessions, and Trump isn’t asking Russia to make any. Despite Putin ignoring European and American deadlines for a ceasefire, the only pressure Trump applies is against Ukraine."

Kasparov also said that “until there is real pressure via military aid to Ukraine and crippling sanctions on Russia… Putin will have no interest in ending the war."

“As I have said from the start, the only real peace is Ukrainian victory,” he added.

Kasparov said that Trump “is working together with Putin to pressure Ukraine into surrendering so he can claim to be a peacemaker."

“Trump gave a deadline (for a ceasefire), Putin ignored it,” he added. “In their phone call, Putin spouted a bunch of garbage about plans and frameworks, and Trump just said it was all fine."

Can Russia sustain its war effort as ruble plummets, inflation soars?

With the purchasing power of the Russian ruble hitting the lowest point since March 2022, the economic toll of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine becomes glaring. Russia’s expanding spending on the war has fueled inflation, prompting Russia’s Central Bank to hike its interest rate to the highest level since the

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Putin' is playing for time'

Arkady Moshes, a Russian-born researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, argued that “there is nothing to talk about” as far as Russian-Ukrainian talks are concerned.

"(Russia) is playing for time,” he said. “They only agreed to imitate their participation in the negotiations because America wanted it. They want to give Trump a chance to say to his audience that he has already brokered something."

He also said that Putin “is interested in continuing the warfare."

“He’s still driven by the thinking that Russia has material advantages over Ukraine,” Moshes added. “So Putin still plays for victory and not a draw."

He said Russia’s maximalist demands and unwillingness to compromise show that it is not interested in peace.

“This is the plan, that you come to the talks, put forward maximalist demands, and then blame the other side for not agreeing,” Moshes added.

After deadly Russian missile and drone attacks in May, Trump expressed strong disapproval of the latest escalation.

“I’m not happy with Putin,” he told reporters on May 25, adding on Truth Social that the Russian president has gone “absolutely” crazy.

So Trump “faced the wall” and “had to make choices” — either to impose sanctions on Russia or not, Moshes said.

But instead of actually imposing sanctions, Trump just threatened to do so without taking any action, he added.

“Putin is not afraid of these kinds of threats,” Moshes said. “He would be afraid of sanctions, but not of threat of sanctions."

‘Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters’ — US lets Ukraine down, once again

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more

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

The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian propagandists split between downplaying devastating Ukrainian attacks and issuing threats

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Key developments on June 2:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. “If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further.

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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

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

Divided country

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bitter campaign has left Poland bracing for further conflict.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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

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

Uncertain Ukraine-Polish relations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

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

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

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

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

🤔
Is he seriously a f*cking idiot?

Yes or No?

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

(Source: screenshot of X by Lead Stories)

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

Russia has proposed Ukraine a temporary ceasefire for two or three days in certain areas of the front line to collect the bodies of the fallen soldiers, Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide and head of the country’s delegation to Istanbul, said during a press conference on June 2.

Medinsky’s statement comes hours after the conclusion of the second round of the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.

Ukraine has not yet reacted to the Russian proposal. According to a source in the President’s Office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Russia declined a ceasefire proposed by Ukraine.

According to Medinsky, Russia will also transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers and officers.

“We identified all (the bodies) that we could, conducted DNA tests, found out who they were. Next week, we will transfer these bodies to the Ukrainian side in an organized way by special trains so that they can bury them humanely,” Medinsky said.

Medinsky added that Ukraine and Russia also agreed to exchange severely wounded people and those under 25.

A representative of the Russian delegation also showed a list handed over by Ukraine during the talks. The list included 339 names of children abducted by Russia and whom Ukraine wants to return to their homes.

Medinsky denied Kyiv’s accusations, claiming that Russia did not abduct the children.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has identified over 19,500 children who were forcibly deported to Russia, Belarus, or Russian-occupied territories. To date, only around 1,300 have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled areas, according to official data.

The abduction of Ukrainian children has drawn international condemnation. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of overseeing the forced deportations.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament passed a resolution labeling Russia’s actions a “genocidal strategy” aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity, and demanded the unconditional return of all abducted minors.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Some of the sanctions against Russia could be lifted following a potential full ceasefire, according to Ukraine’s official proposal, seen by the Kyiv Independent on June 2.

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

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

During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation offered Moscow a complete ceasefire, an all-for-all exchange of prisoners of war (POWs), the return of children abducted by Russia, and the release of all civilians from Russian captivity.

According to the proposal, Ukraine retains its aspirations to join the EU and NATO. Kyiv also highlighted the need for security guarantees to avoid another Russian invasion.

In the meantime, frozen Russian assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations, the proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent read.

Contrary, the head of the Russian delegation said that a ceasefire is possible only following Ukraine’s withdrawal from four of the country’s regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — none of which Russia controls in full.

The West has imposed heavy sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. In spite of these measures, Moscow retains its ability to wage war, gradually advancing in several sectors of the front line and increasing its defense production.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on U.S. sanctions against Russia has been unclear. Trump has repeatedly threatened additional economic measures against Moscow but said he does not plan to take the step at the moment after his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has said they are ready to vote on a bill on sanctions against Russia if peace talks over the war in Ukraine do not progress soon. The bill, introduced to the Senate in early April, would impose new penalties on Russia and slap 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium.

Ukraine, Russia end second round of peace talks, no ceasefire achieved

The negotiations follow the first round of Istanbul talks, which concluded on May 16 with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war but without any progress toward a peace deal.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of the Russian central bank, is facing government pressure to reduce the high key interest rate imposed amid skyrocketing wartime inflation, Bloomberg reported on June 2, citing undisclosed sources.

The reason is the growing toll on the federal budget and civilian industries, three officials told Bloomberg, with some calling for the decision to be made at the bank’s meeting on June 6.

Russia’s central bank imposed a 21% key interest rate in October 2024 — the highest level since the early 2000s — to tackle surging inflation, which has dropped to 6.2% this April from 10.7% in January, according to Russian official data.

The high borrowing costs primarily impacted civilian industries unrelated to the Russian military-industrial complex, which has experienced growth amid Russia’s record wartime spending, Bloomberg reported.

Nabiullina was seen as a key figure in helping the Russian economy stay afloat as the West imposed massive sanctions due to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The bank governor has nevertheless faced backlash over her decision on borrowing costs. In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced displeasure with the decline in private investment due to the high cost of credit.

After some positive signals earlier in 2025 due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s outreach to Moscow and hopes for a ceasefire, more recent reports again indicate a sharp slowdown in Russia’s economic growth.

Analysts have connected this development to the central bank policies, sanctions, low oil prices, supply difficulties, and high inflation.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

U.S. President Donald Trump was not informed in advance about Ukraine’s mass drone attack that allegedly hit 41 Russian aircraft across four air bases, CBS News and Axios reported on June 1, citing their undisclosed sources.

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

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

The White House was not notified about the plans, which had been being prepared for a year and a half, Axios reported, citing a Ukrainian security official. CBS News' sources in the Trump administration also confirmed that the Trump administration was not informed.

Trump is yet to comment publicly on the attack, which took place a day before the second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.

The U.S. president has repeatedly criticized Moscow for launching attacks on Ukrainian cities as he pushes for a ceasefire deal. The Kremlin continues to reject the truce backed by Kyiv, Washington, and European partners, and is reportedly preparing a new offensive this summer.

Trump has also often criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that Ukraine is at times “more difficult” to deal with than Russia. The two came into an open clash during a tense meeting in the White House on Feb. 28.

Zelensky has urged the U.S. president to impose stronger sanctions against Russia if the upcoming round of negotiations fails to bring results.

“If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed — from the EU’s 18th package, and from the United States specifically, the strongest sanctions President Trump promised,” Zelensky said.

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

The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. “If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further.

‘Russian bombers are burning en masse’ — Ukraine’s SBU drones hit ‘more than 40’ aircraft in mass attack, source says

“Currently, more than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3,” a source told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 called on U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver a “strong new package” of sanctions against Russia if ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail to bring results.

Speaking at a joint summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic leaders in Vilnius, Zelensky warned that if Moscow derails the negotiations, the West must be ready to act decisively.

“If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed — from the EU’s 18th package, and from the United States specifically, the strongest sanctions President Trump promised,” Zelensky said.

“Sanctions should hit Russian energy — especially oil and tankers — price caps, of course, and also Russian banks and the financial sector overall."

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

The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. “If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further.

Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepare to meet in Istanbul on June 2 for a new round of peace talks. Though previous talks ended with the biggest prisoner exchange, they failed to produce progress toward a ceasefire or peace deal.

The Ukrainian side is expected to present a step-by-step peace proposal, starting with a 30-day ceasefire and the return of children deported to Russian-controlled areas. Russia has not submitted any formal memorandum ahead of the meeting and continues to demand a halt to Western military support for Kyiv — conditions that Ukraine deems unacceptable.

Zelensky made clear that Kyiv still aims to “achieve at least some progress,” despite Russian foot-dragging and intensifying airstrikes. He also expressed gratitude to leaders working to keep the transatlantic alliance strong.

“We need the support of President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the American people,” he said. “Whatever happens in global competition, it is our shared duty — Europe’s, America’s, and everyone who values freedom — to defend it together."

The summit also focused on regional security ahead of the NATO summit this June. Zelensky emphasized that Russia must not be allowed to influence NATO’s decisions or have any veto power over its enlargement — a rebuke to recent reports suggesting Moscow is seeking written guarantees that the alliance will stop expanding.

“One of the key principles of European security is that Russia must not have veto power over NATO decisions or influence over the allies or its members,” Zelensky said. “That principle must remain in place."

While Russian officials continue to push for NATO to “stop” its expansion, most recently as a precondition for the ceasefire, alliance diplomats told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that no such discussions are taking place within NATO.

Zelensky said the upcoming NATO summit must deliver a message of strength and unity.

“Putin chose to stand against Europe, so he has no place in deciding its future,” he said. “That must not change."

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Ukrainian delegation arrived in Istanbul for peace talks with Russia, which are scheduled for the afternoon of June 2, Ukrinform reported, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi.

The negotiations follow the first round of Istanbul talks, which concluded on May 16 with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war but without any progress toward a peace deal.

Russia has not officially submitted its memorandum outlining peace terms, but Ukraine plans to present a detailed roadmap aimed at securing a lasting settlement.

According to the proposal, the process would begin with a minimum 30-day ceasefire, followed by a full exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russian-held areas, ultimately leading to a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.  The plan was reported on June 1 by Reuters, which reviewed a copy of the document.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya reiterated on May 30 that Moscow would only consider a ceasefire if Ukraine halts mobilization and stops receiving foreign military aid.

Speaking ahead of the June 2 talks, Zelensky reminded that Russia has not submitted its so-called peace memorandum to Ukraine, Turkey, or the U.S.

“Despite this, we will try to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace,” he added.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is leading Ukraine’s 14-member delegation, which includes several figures from Ukraine’s military, human rights, and legal sectors who did not take part in the May 16 negotiations.

Russian delegates will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who represented Moscow both during the first unsuccessful peace talks in Istanbul in 2022 and then again in May this year.

Security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany also plan to attend, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Talking to the Russian state media, Medinsky confirmed that the Russian side had received Ukrainian peace proposals. Russia plans to present its memorandum only during the talks, Russian pro-state news agency Interfax reported, citing its sources.

While the U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin has rejected it.

Instead, Moscow has regularly voiced maximalist demands that are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv, such as recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions and withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the parts of these regions remaining under Kyiv’s control.

Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s reluctance to make concessions and its intensifying and deadly attacks on Ukraine. He has so far refused to impose additional sanctions on Russia.

The talks are taking place only a day after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a mass drone attack against Russian air bases, allegedly hitting 41 Russian bombers and disabling 34% of Russia’s cruise missile air fleet.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

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

Russia attacked the city of Kharkiv overnight with drones and ballistic missiles, injuring at least six people, including a child, local authorities reported in the early hours of June 2.

Strikes on the city’s Kholodnohirskyi district injured six people, including a 7-year-old boy, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Two Russian ballistic missiles also struck the Kyivskyi district, Terekhov said. One reportedly hit a road in the area while the other hit an area close to high-rise buildings, shattering windows and damaging facades.

Information about casualties and damage is still under investigation.

Several homes, a civilian enterprise, and vehicles have been damaged in the attack, according to Terekhov.

Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia may be preparing for another mass strike against Ukraine in the wake of Kyiv’s successful operation against Russian military aircraft.

“Even before the start of this operation, we had intelligence about the preparation of another Russian massive strike,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“And it is very important for all our people not to ignore aerial alerts. Last night, there were almost 500 Russian drones, strike drones. Every week they increased the number of units per strike. Now they have also prepared Kalibr cruise missles from sea carriers."

Russia has launched repeated large-scale aerial assaults against Ukraine in recent days.

The city of Kharkiv and the surrounding region came under heavy attack the previous night during a mass Russian drone strike. Russia launched nearly 500 drones at Ukraine, shattering its previous record for the number of drones fired in a single night.

Kharkiv Oblast in northeastern Ukraine is a regular target of Russian missile, drone, and glide bomb attacks. Russia has frequently attacked densely populated neighborhoods in the city of Kharkiv, hitting residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Key developments on May 31-June 1:

• Ukrainian drone strikes hit more than 40 aircraft at key airfields,  damage 34% of Russian strategic bombers
• Russian soldiers surrender because ‘abuse in units is worse than captivity,’ Ukrainian military says
• Russian military freight train blown up en route to Crimea, HUR says
• Ukrainian commander resigns after Russian attacks kills 12 soldiers on training grounds
• Zelensky announces updated Ukrainian delegation list for upcoming peace talks with Russia

An operation by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) using first-person-view (FPV) drones smuggled deep inside Russian and hidden inside trucks has hit 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on June 1.

The operation — codenamed “Spider Web” – was planned for more than a year and a half and has dealt a major blow to Moscow’s ability to attack Ukrainian cities.

According to the SBU, the drone operation resulted in $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile bombers in key Russian air bases.

“The SBU first transported FPV drones to Russia, and later, on the territory of the Russian Federation, the drones were hidden under the roofs of mobile wooden cabins, already placed on trucks,” the source said.

“At the right moment, the roofs of the cabins were opened remotely, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers."

The operation targeted multiple Russian air bases, including Belaya in Irkutsk, Olenya in Murmansk, Diaghilev in Ryazan, and Ivanovo in Ivanovo Oblast.

“Currently, more than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3,” the source added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the results of the drone operation, calling it “absolutely brilliant."

Ukrainian intelligence promised to reveal more details soon and vowed to continue driving Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory.

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

Western hesitation continues to undermine Ukraine

On May 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Germany and met with the country’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. There were high expectations that Berlin would finally authorize the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles — a long-standing request from Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion. However, this demand had been

The Kyiv IndependentUria Fancelli

Russian soldiers surrendered because ‘abuse in units is worse than captivity,’ Ukrainian paratroopers say

A group of Russian soldiers fighting in the Kursk direction surrendered to Ukrainian paratroopers because “abuse in units is worse than captivity,” Ukraine’s Airborne Assault Forces said in a video posted on social media on May 31.

“In their units on the territory of the Russian Federation, they were subjected to inhumane treatment, psychological pressure and threats,” the post reads.

Russia’s abuse of its own soldiers has been well documented throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

An investigation by the Insider last July reported that Russia uses a systematic program of “gulag-style” abuse directed at its soldiers in Ukraine in order to “maintain order” and punish perceived offenders.

According to the Insider, the patterns of abuse of Russian soldiers in Ukraine “borrow heavily from Soviet labor camp traditions."

Russian units have employed “punishment squads” that seek out soldiers who are abusing alcohol, refuse orders, or are simply disliked, and then subject them to a variety of abuse, including beatings and “confinement pits."

A report in Foreign Policy in 2023 detailed a decades-long system of “sadistic hazing” in the Russian army that included one soldier who had to have his legs and genitals amputated after he was forced to squat in the snow for several hours.

The video released by Ukraine’s Airborne Assault Forces shows at least eight Russian soldiers interviewed at an undisclosed location.

One describes being sent to the front less than a month ago and being “blown up immediately,” leaving just two men alive in his unit. Another said his unit was left to dig trenches and fend for themselves when they were spotted by a Ukrainian drone and “after that everything fell apart."

“The prisoners were provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance,” the military said.

Intercepted calls released by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) suggest numerous abuses by Russian commanders against their own troops, including one incident where one lost his temper and ordered his soldiers to shoot at their own comrades in a neighbouring unit.

“F**k the 55th (an adjacent Russian unit), shoot them, that’s the battalion commander’s order, shoot them,” a Russian commander can be heard saying in an audio published by HUR on April 5.

The unidentified Russian commander appears frustrated at the adjacent Russian unit for not properly following an order and revealing their positions to Ukrainian troops.

The Kyiv Independent couldn’t independently verify the authenticity of the audio published by HUR.

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

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

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Russian military freight train blown up en route to Crimea, Ukraine’s HUR claims

A Russian military train carrying fuel and food was blown up overnight on June 1 near Melitopol, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR).

“The Muscovites' key logistical artery on the occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Crimea has been destroyed,” HUR’s statement said.

The agency stopped short of claiming responsibility for blowing up the Russian train station in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but said “the fight against the military logistics of the Russian occupiers continues."

HUR’s statement further noted heightened Russian searches and stricter checkpoints in the region as Russian forces seek to find those responsible.

Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claimed to have sabotaged a railway in occupied Donetsk Oblast.

Mass casualties after Russian train derailment and bridge collapse in Bryansk Oblast, officials say

At least seven people are dead and another 69 injured after a train derailed in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast overnight on May 31, following the collapse of an overhead road bridge, Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Ukrainian Land Forces Commander resigns after Russian attack that killed 12 soldiers on training grounds

The head of the Land Forces of Ukraine resigned on June 1 following a Russian attack that killed 12 service members under his command.

“I have made the decision to file a letter of resignation from the position of Commander of the Land Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi in a statement on Telegram.

“Twelve dead. There are injured. These are young lads from the training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They should have learned, lived, and fought – not died."

Drapatyi was referring to an incident in the morning of June 1 in which a Russian missile attack struck a training field and killed 12 soldiers and wounded 60 more. The field was at the time unidentified, but Drapatiy named it as the 239th Polygon, north of the city of Dnipro.

Russia has targeted Ukrainian training grounds aggressively in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also the site of a similar attack with an Iskander ballistic missile in March.

At the time, Drapatyi wrote: “Everyone who made decisions that day, and everyone who did not make them on time, will be held accountable. No one will hide behind explanations or formal reports."

In its announcement of the June 1 attack, the Land Forces press office wrote: “In the event of a determination that the action or inaction of responsible individuals led to the death and injury of servicemen, those responsible will be brought to strict accountability."

Russia steps up offensives in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy oblasts, Syrskyi says

While Russia’s main efforts remain concentrated on the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman fronts in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast bordering Russia, Zaporizhzhia has seen an uptick in escalation, Syrskyi noted.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

Zelensky announces updated Ukrainian delegation list, ahead of planned peace talks with Russia

Zelensky announced on June 1 an updated 14-member Ukrainian delegation for upcoming peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, expanding the original group of 12.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will again lead the delegation, which will include several new figures from Ukraine’s military, human rights, and legal sectors.

Three officials – Andrii Fomin, Yurii Kovbasa, and Yevhenii Ostrianskyi – will participate for the first time, while Oleksii Malovatskyi, involved in the May 16 talks, will not join.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on June 2, with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations expected to attend. Also, security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany plan to attend, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Russia has not officially submitted its memorandum outlining peace terms, but Ukraine plans to present a detailed roadmap aimed at securing a lasting settlement.

According to the proposal, the process would begin with a minimum 30-day ceasefire, followed by a full exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russian-held areas, ultimately leading to a potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin. The plan was reported on June 1 by Reuters, which reviewed a copy of the document.

While the U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin has rejected it.

Instead, Moscow has regularly voiced maximalist demands that are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv, such as recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions and withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the parts of these regions remaining under Kyiv’s control.

Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s reluctance to make concessions and its intensifying and deadly attacks on Ukraine. However, he has so far refused to sanction Russia.

The talks are tentatively still set to continue on June 2, though Russia has not officially commented yet, following Ukraine’s “Spider Web” drone operation earlier today.

Note from the author:

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