Exclusives

Military

Russia's youngest war dead include more than 200 18-year-old soldiers, new data shows New investigation identifies over 226,000 Russian war dead in Ukraine amid sustained high battlefield casualties.

Ukraine launches major army reform: fixed contracts, revamped pay structure, and broader access for foreigners The new framework sets defined service terms, restructures compensation around role and combat intensity, and introduces changes to transfers and post-service guarantees, while also opening additional recruitment channels for foreign volunteers.

No air show, no confidence: Russia quietly cancels MAKS for fourth year as Ukraine intensifies strikes on Moscow region The decision follows a pattern of scaled-back public events amid sustained Ukrainian UAV strikes on refineries, tech sites, and military facilities around Moscow.

Ukraine confirms strikes on two Tatarstan refineries and rocket-fuel rubber plant in Tolyatti Ukraine's GenStaff reported fires at all three plants, while monitoring channels reported a fourth hit—on one of Europe's largest petrochemical complexes in the same Tatarstan city.

Russia can't attack NATO right now—ISW explains what the new border bases are really for The think tank says Russia's new NATO-border bases prepare post-Ukraine-war force projection, not a near-term attack.

Ukraine's drone commander says his branch killed or wounded 102,000 Russians in 12 months. It started with a grenade taped to drone that filmed weddings Robert "Madiar" Brovdi, the art-collecting ex-grain trader who runs Ukraine's drone branch, said his units account for every third Russian falling on the battlefield.

All three Rosneft Samara refineries now offline or reduced as drones halt Kuibyshevsky operations yesterday All three plants in Rosneft's Samara refining hub are now affected by Ukrainian strikes, with Kuibyshev's two primary units damaged on 10 June.

Russia's fuel crisis jumps from 15 to 25 regions in five days—plus six occupied Ukrainian areas The Russian Energy Ministry created a task force on 8 June to handle the gasoline shortage amid "growing enemy air attacks," but the crisis continued spreading anyway.

Ukrainian drones knocking out the northwestern entrance to Crimea: four bridges targeted in one night The occupation authorities reported the attacks on four bridges in the area of Armiansk.

Intelligence and technology

Storm Shadow maker MBDA and Ukrainian Armor launch partnership to develop deep strike and anti-drone systems The agreement links Ukraine's defense industry with one of Europe's leading missile manufacturers in a bid to develop next-generation battlefield systems.

How Ukraine uses AI to guide long-range drone strikes through electronic warfare and deep into Russian-controlled rear areas Ukraine's Defense Ministry says artificial intelligence is now integrated into long-range "middle strike" systems, enabling drones to navigate without reliable GPS, avoid electronic warfare disruption, and identify targets during the final phase of flight.

Abrams tanks in Ukraine get modular drone protection to survive in today's drone-dominated warfare The Abrams tank "Lucifer" has been equipped with layered anti-drone protection, illustrating how Ukrainian crews are reshaping Western armor for modern frontline conditions.

Passwords, drone feeds, secret orders: a Russian unit shared its own operations in public Telegram chat ASTRA reports the chat contained operational leaks, from drone feed access to command meeting links, as well as documents noting losses and mounting pressure on frontline units.

Germany's Diehl in talks to produce Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missile on German soil CEO Helmut Rauch announced a series of meetings with Ukrainian maker Fire Point in the coming weeks and called the company "optimistic and positive" about cooperation, says FT.

Ukraine's drone output grew 12.7% month-on-month, but chief commander says don't relax Ukraine maintains a 1.5-to-1 FPV drone advantage over Russia, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed at the monthly meeting.

German company that already supplies Ukraine with drones has unveiled Shahed-hunter aircraft with four weapons categories on single airframe The renders presented in Germany suggest the Pulse P19 has obvious application as Ukrainian air defense against Russian Shahed strikes.

International

EU opens first accession talks cluster for Ukraine and Moldova after years of delays and vetoes The European Union has opened the first cluster of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, marking the formal start of negotiations on core political and legal standards.

Poland reverses 17-month bus halt at Shehyni-Medyka after Ukrainian ministerial push Lviv Customs had announced a closure stretching to November 2027; bilateral talks preserved the summer corridor as Warsaw's posture toward Kyiv hardens elsewhere.

Humanitarian and social impact

Nawrocki vetoes one-year language reprieve as 441 mostly Ukrainian doctors lose right to practice Nearly 3,335 medics could face the same fate; the Supreme Medical Council had lobbied for the veto, Rzeczpospolita reported.

Polish foundation crowdfunds $39,500 for Vinnytsia after PiS opposition sank Kielce bus donation Fundacja Sikorki na Ukrainie set a 500,000-zloty target to buy 15 Solaris vehicles for a city whose electric tram network fails during Russian strikes.

Russia trained 900 more Ukrainian children at Volgograd — a camp Britain already sanctioned in 2024

Political and legal developments

15 tons of diesel, $22,500 in damages: Ukraine charges eight in Poltava military fuel-theft scheme The defendants face up to 15 years imprisonment.

"Heroes of UPA" unit will keep its name, Budanov's office says despite Polish pressure Polish media reported Kyiv was weighing a compromise to narrow the honor to UPA fighters who battled only the Soviet Union.

Read our previous daily review here.

Exclusives

Military

Ukrainian drones knocking out the northwestern entrance to Crimea: four bridges targeted in one night. The occupation authorities reported the attacks on four bridges in the area of Armiansk.

Afipsky oil refinery burns again as Ukrainian drones return to Krasnodar Krai. Ukrainian drones hit the Afipsky refinery for the third time in 2026, with the facility producing fuel supplied to the Russian armed forces.

All three Rosneft Samara refineries now offline or reduced as drones halt Kuibyshevsky operations yesterday. All three plants in Rosneft's Samara refining hub are now affected by Ukrainian strikes, with Kuibyshev's two primary units damaged on 10 June.

Russia is building up forces in Belarus right next to Ukraine's NATO supply corridor. Ukraine just started covering roads. Volyn Oblast will install anti-drone nets on sections of roads near the border with Belarus, acting head of the Volyn Oblast, Military Administration Roman Romaniuk announced.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine's drone output grew 12.7% month-on-month, but chief commander says don't relax. Ukraine maintains a 1.5-to-1 FPV drone advantage over Russia, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed at the monthly meeting.

German company that already supplies Ukraine with drones has unveiled Shahed-hunter aircraft with four weapons categories on single airframe. The renders presented in Germany suggest the Pulse P19 has obvious application as Ukrainian air defense against Russian Shahed strikes.

Strip out this one component and Russia's drones fly blind. Ukraine found factory where it is made. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike.

Russia's fuel crisis jumps from 15 to 25 regions in five days—plus six occupied Ukrainian areas. The Russian Energy Ministry created a task force on 8 June to handle the gasoline shortage amid "growing enemy air attacks," but the crisis continued spreading anyway.

"Fourth house. Blue doors": Four years ago three Ukrainians changed global warfare forever (VIDEO). Four years later, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) has struck nearly $40 billion worth of Russian targets.

International

US sanctions 13 Iran-Belarus-China entities supplying Iran's IRGC. That's three of four "Axis of Upheaval" states. The same Iran-Belarus-China network is the operational ecosystem supplying Russia's drone war on Ukraine.

"Heroes of UPA" unit will keep its name, Budanov's office says despite Polish pressure. Polish media reported Kyiv was weighing a compromise to narrow the honor to UPA fighters who battled only the Soviet Union.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russia trained 900 more Ukrainian children at Volgograd — a camp that Britain already sanctioned in 2024.

Political and legal developments

Kremlin enacts law to grab homes and bank accounts of its exiled critics. A formal charge alone can now trigger seizure of property worth many times the underlying fine, with no judge required to approve it.

15 tons of diesel, $22,500 in damages: Ukraine charges eight in Poltava military fuel-theft scheme. The defendants face up to 15 years imprisonment.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Exclusives

Military

Kostiantynivka is one of Ukraine's "Fortress Belt cities" Russia demands. It may fall by end of summer 2026, says observer. Russian forces may capture Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast by the end of summer 2026, applying the same infiltration tactic they used to seize Pokrovsk.

Ukraine knew 37th Russian Brigade was waiting for fuel via Chonhar. It struck bridge and trucks still haven't arrived. Ukrainian cyber intelligence operates inside Russian military networks, providing real-time data on Russian troop deployments.

Chonhar bridge halted twice, now Arabat Spit crossing hit — Kherson's occupied south loses two routes. Vladimir Saldo said eight municipalities lost power overnight in a separate Ukrainian drone attack on the same oblast.

Fire reported at Kuibyshev oil refinery in Russia's Samara after drone strike. The Kuibyshev refinery, part of Rosneft, had already halted operations after a drone strike in August 2025 and was hit again in January 2026.

Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian defense plant 'Progress' in Cheboksary with Flamingo missiles. A fire broke out at the facility following the strike, the governor of Russia's Chuvash Republic confirmed, without specifying damage.

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has now lasted exactly as long as World War I — 1,568 days. Ukraine has expanded fire control over occupied territory and now strikes Russian infrastructure up to 1,800 kilometers deep.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine created drone army one year ago. It already destroyed $40 billion worth in Russian targets. Zelenskyy signed a decree establishing the Day of Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS Day) on 10 June.

Ukraine has 460,000 hectares of mined land. Its newest sapper robot switches between demining and logistics on same chassis. Ukraine's Defense Ministry codified the domestic NEO-1 sapper robot. The vehicle is a 60-kg modular ground platform capable of remote demining.

Russia fitted Kalibr cruise missiles with cluster warheads and reverted to foreign electronics, Ukraine's MoD says. Cluster payloads first surfaced in spring 2026; the homing boards on 2025-built missiles are 80–90% foreign-made.

Germany adds €300 million to Czech ammunition drive, about 50,000 long-range rounds for Ukraine. Largest foreign backer doubles down as donor participation thins.

International

Ukraine will keep issuing Polish exhumation permits despite historical tensions. Dispute "causes joy in Moscow," Kyiv says. Ukraine called on allies to seek grounds for unity against the common enemy that "wants to destroy both Ukraine and Poland."

Bulgaria's defense minister banned weapons to Ukraine. It's not that simple. Ukraine does not currently receive free military aid from Bulgaria but maintains ongoing mutually beneficial commercial defense cooperation.

IAEA documents military activity near all Ukraine's nuclear sites. "This should not be happening," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

Germany was late to grasp Russian hybrid attacks, Bundeswehr colonel tells defence forum. The political shift on Russian hybrid attacks began only in the past 18 to 24 months.

Poland refuses to send 20-year-old buses to Ukrainian city under Russian strikes because of street name. Ukraine's Vinnytsia withdrew its request for 15 retired buses from its Polish sister city of Kielce after the initiative became politically toxic in Poland.

"We don't think all of this is just for demonstration": Russia is constructing infrastructure with potential capacity up to 115,000 personnel on NATO's doorstep. Russia is actively constructing new military infrastructure along its borders with Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, and Kaliningrad.

Political and legal developments

Russia recycles its Moldova script to brand Armenia's election illegitimate, ISW says. Hours after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract took 49.81%, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged "unprecedented Western pressure"—and Rosrybolovstvo threatened fresh import bans.

Zelenskyy has 61% trust in Ukraine. Two officials above him in rankings run drone program and city under Russian attack. Volunteer Serhiy Prytula and former MP Oleh Lyashko rank lowest among the named figures, at +2% and +5%.

Car bomb kills Russian general who armed Russia's war on Ukraine—fourth top officer assassinated near Moscow since late 2024. Damir Davydov, who ran missile and shell deliveries for the Kremlin's Defense Ministry, died after a device under his BMW detonated Tuesday morning, The Insider reported.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Exclusives

Military

Ukraine sets 2030 roadmap to expand rocket and artillery forces – a constant despite evolving warfare. The plan outlines modernization through 2030, including expanded missile capability, improved reconnaissance systems, and a gradual shift toward domestic production while phasing out outdated Soviet-era systems.

"We have guidance at home"—Kalibrs back to foreign parts after import substitution failed, MOD says. Kalibrs also started carrying cluster munitions.

Russia plans to double Mi-8 helicopter production to offset war losses in 2 years. Mi-8s are versatile workhorses, able to transport troops and cargo, conduct reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and attack missions.

Russia starts hauling gasoline to the front in the trunks of civilian cars. A convoy of sedans packed with jerrycans set out from Kizilyurt in Dagestan to supply Russian troops in occupied Tokmak, shows a video the soldiers filmed themselves.

Chonhar bridge linking occupied Kherson Oblast to Crimea is closed again after the second attack in two days. It is one of only two land routes between Crimea and mainland Ukraine and carries the highway Russia uses to supply its forces on the peninsula.

Ukraine recaptured 100 square kilometers in May. Its deep strikes cost Russia $1 billion. Ukraine hit 111 Russian sites, said Commander Syrskyi.

Intelligence and technology

Russia's closest ally says its new AI military system can detect drones, jam signals, and adapt in real time. Belarus claims AI-driven 'Ross' counter-drone EW system nearing completion.

Ukraine codifies armored vehicle with dome of 10 electronic-warfare modules designed to kill FPV drones before they hit. Ukraine develops armored vehicle to protect against two major Russian battlefield threats.

Ukraine approves 80 km/h electric motorcycle that defeats thermal imaging and acoustic detection. It carries two soldiers in full gear. The 105-kg, 8 kW vehicle reaches 80 km/h and operates with near-silent movement.

One click from operator: Ukraine just shot down Russian Shahed with AI drone that automated 95% of kill. The Brave1 cluster participant manufacturer went from prototype to successful combat use in less than a year.

International

New "Drone Deal" signed – Latvia and Ukraine to expand joint production and defense cooperation. Kyiv said the agreement is aimed at turning Ukraine's battlefield drone experience into structured cooperation with international partners.

EU's 21st sanctions package would ban Russia's soldiers from European soil. Latest package targets banks, oil traders, shadow fleet, third-country evaders.

Bulgaria's new government plans to halt weapons supplies to Ukraine. A Bulgarian minister claimed that Kyiv "needs more people, not more armament," signaling a break with EU policy.

"The enemy counts on our disunity"—Ukrainian diaspora answers with Bern Declaration. More than 350 leaders from 50 countries adopted a seven-point wartime action plan at the first Global Ukrainian Summit held in Switzerland.

NATO shot down drone over Latvia. Russia's electronic warfare sent it there. NATO fighters from the Baltic Air Policing mission shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle over Latvia's eastern Latgale region this morning.

Humanitarian and social impact

"Russia spits in our faces" and the UN pretends it's "just rain" – UN envoy reports May deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since 2022. UN data presented to the Security Council shows May was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians in over two years, as Ukraine accused Russia of denying responsibility and the UN of failing to respond adequately.

Russian missiles kill three and wound six in Chuhuiv as drones injure 15 in Kharkiv, including a one-year-old. Beyond Kharkiv Oblast, Russian attacks killed civilians in Kherson, Sumy, and Donetsk oblasts and wounded dozens more over 8–9 June. Local authorities report at least 8 civilian deaths and 61 injuries.

Food shortage in occupied Rubizhne: Russia blocks civilian deliveries, blames drones. Officials say Moscow engineered the shortage to film propaganda—the same tactic that left 2,000 starving in Oleshky.

Political and legal developments

SBU names 10 Russians tied to "human safari" drone hunt on civilians in Kherson. Counterintelligence built a case against Russian military drone pilots from a single regiment and charged each in absentia with war crimes.

Lithuanian court: the roadside attack on a Ukraine-shirt cyclist was hate, not chance. Judges treated the motive, hostility toward people who support Ukraine, as an aggravating circumstance in sentencing the 1987-born man.

61% of Ukrainians reject ceasefire without security guarantees. Same 61% would accept one with European troops on frontline. The real question isn't whether Ukraine wants a ceasefire, but what guarantees would come with it.

Ukrainian defense official sent 300,000 pairs of useless gloves to front line. He's now going to trial. The manufacturer used ordinary rubber instead of the thermoplastic rubber required by technical specs.

Medic stole 16 FPV from firm that entered $1.1 billion Pentagon competition and hid them for four months. Ukraine arrested him when he tried to sell them for 19% of their value. Ukrainian sergeant arrested for selling 16 General Cherry FPV drones worth $12,600 for $2,370.

Freezing the war along today's lines is "the quickest way" to peace, Ukraine's leader told Sky News. Zelenskyy insisted it is no concession, but a way to save children and bring soldiers home, paired with monitoring missions and allied guarantees.

Read our previous daily review here.

Military

NATO shot down drone over Latvia. Russia's electronic warfare sent it there. NATO fighters from the Baltic Air Policing mission shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle over Latvia's eastern Latgale region this morning.

French NATO jets shoot down drone over Latvia in country's first intercept. Second Baltic intercept in three weeks as spillover from Russia's war on Ukraine accelerates.

Ukraine recaptured 100 square kilometers in May. Its deep strikes cost Russia $1 billion. Ukraine hit 111 Russian sites, said Commander Syrskyi.

Russian crude reaches the sea through tunnels under a mountain ridge—and Ukraine hit the storage end near Novorossiysk. Pipelines link the Grushovaya depot to Novorossiysk's loading berths about 12 km away. Locals counted about 50 blasts before a huge fire lit the mountains above Russia's main Black Sea oil port.

ISW: The strikes will likely cascade into deeper disruption across Russia's rear supply network. Russia leans on two key highways to feed its war. Cut them, and fuel, shells, and troops stop reaching occupied Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk—and Ukraine's drones are working on cutting it.

Intelligence and technology

Russia's closest ally says its new AI military system can detect drones, jam signals, and adapt in real time. Belarus claims AI-driven 'Ross' counter-drone EW system nearing completion.

Ukraine codifies armored vehicle with dome of 10 electronic-warfare modules designed to kill FPV drones before they hit. Ukraine develops armored vehicle to protect against two major Russian battlefield threats.

Ukraine approves 80 km/h electric motorcycle that defeats thermal imaging and acoustic detection. It carries two soldiers in full gear. The 105-kg, 8 kW vehicle reaches 80 km/h and operates with near-silent movement.

One click from operator: Ukraine just shot down Russian Shahed with AI drone that automated 95% of kill. The Brave1 cluster participant manufacturer went from prototype to successful combat use in less than a year.

International

"The enemy counts on our disunity"—Ukrainian diaspora answers with Bern Declaration. More than 350 leaders from 50 countries adopted a seven-point wartime action plan at the first Global Ukrainian Summit held in Switzerland.

61% of Ukrainians reject ceasefire without security guarantees. Same 61% would accept one with European troops on frontline. The real question isn't whether Ukraine wants a ceasefire, but what guarantees would come with it.

Freezing the war along today's lines is "the quickest way" to peace, Ukraine's leader told Sky News. Zelenskyy insisted it is no concession, but a way to save children and bring soldiers home, paired with monitoring missions and allied guarantees.

Britain, France, and Germany back Ukraine's peace terms and press Putin for a ceasefire. After meeting Ukraine's president in London, the three leaders set out five conditions for a just and lasting peace and welcomed Kyiv's push for direct talks.

Putin warned former Soviet republic of "Ukrainian scenario" over EU ties. Its pro-EU party wins elections with 49.81% anyway.

Humanitarian and social impact

Premature births are climbing in Ukraine's front-line regions, and doctors blame the ongoing war. Doctors in Zaporizhzhia now deliver babies and treat miscarriages on the same afternoons that glide bombs hit the city, AP reports.

Food shortage in occupied Rubizhne: Russia blocks civilian deliveries, blames drones. Officials say Moscow engineered the shortage to film propaganda—the same tactic that left 2,000 starving in Oleshky.

Political and legal developments

Russians pulled 30-year record of cash from banks in May. Central Bank now tracks monthly cash limits, can freeze "suspicious" withdrawals. Analyst cites geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, internet outages disrupting online banking, and central bank rate cuts as driving the cash flight.

Ukrainian defense official sent 300,000 pairs of useless gloves to front line. He's now going to trial. The manufacturer used ordinary rubber instead of the thermoplastic rubber required by technical specs.

Medic stole 16 FPV from firm that entered $1.1 billion Pentagon competition and hid them for four months. Ukraine arrested him when he tried to sell them for 19% of their value. Ukrainian sergeant arrested for selling 16 General Cherry FPV drones worth $12,600 for $2,370.

Hungary's anti-corruption watchdog says Orbán's former inner circle should be prosecuted over billions in missing EU funds. Péter Magyar is trying to convince Brussels that Hungary can be trusted with more than €10 billion in cash frozen over rule-of-law concerns.

WSJ: Putin's sanctioned inner circle keeps buying Western business jets through a web of middlemen. A WSJ investigation traces Bombardier and Gulfstream business jets from European dealers through Dubai and Bermuda into Kremlin hands.

Ukraine foils Russian plot to assassinate intelligence official with FPV drone. Russian spy recruited to kill GUR spokesman Andrii Yusov with FPV drone for $100,000 bounty.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Exclusives

Military

Over 2,000 Russian casualties in first six days of June, Madyar reports amid surge in drone strikes on occupied territories Madyar reported strikes on 26 targets across occupied Ukraine and Russia's Bryansk Oblast, including rail, energy, fuel, and telecom infrastructure.

Ukrainian Special Forces target Crimea fuel system, hitting depot and maritime terminal in "asymmetric" middle-strike operation on occupied territory Ukrainian officials say the operation is part of efforts to disrupt logistics networks supporting Russian forces in occupied territory.

"Extremely rare" 300-ton Russian rail recovery crane destroyed in partisan sabotage operation, ATESH claims ATESH claims the loss will slow down repair capacity at major junctions, where rapid recovery is critical for maintaining rail flow.

Russia reportedly restricts bus and private car movement on main arteries through occupied territories, capping two weeks of land-corridor breakdown The stated reason is protection against Ukrainian "attacks on civilian transport." The actual reason is visible in the two-week sequence of events that produced the closures.

Flat steppe: Ukraine is strangling Crimea's supply lines from air. Melitopol-Chonhar road is latest target The operation extends the squeeze on Russia's land corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.

Kronstadt, Russia's major naval base after Black Sea Fleet losses, gets hit by Ukrainian drones (VIDEO) Russia was in the middle of hosting foreign investors.

Ukraine doubles deep strikes beyond 50 km as "Logistics Lockdown" shifts priority deeper into Russia's transport nodes and rear logistics chains Kyiv says the shift is part of a wider effort to disrupt supply chains and degrade Russia's ability to sustain frontline operations.

Ukraine's drones hit 5 vessels in occupied Azov ports overnight — Azerbaijan says 5 of its nationals died as Russia blames Kyiv Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi called the boats smugglers carrying looted grain, fuel, and military supplies with names painted over and radars off.

The Crimean Bridge is heavily guarded. Ukraine struck its maritime security layer in the Kerch Strait. Ukrainian officials say the ship was deployed to patrol and monitor approaches to the Crimean Bridge as part of Russia's layered security network in occupied Crimea.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine has built 822 kilometers of anti-drone road tunnels. Each kilometer means safer evacuations and faster supply In May alone, the State Special Transport Service rebuilt 115.5 km of conventional road, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.

Ukraine's Bullet interceptor gets speed upgrade. It now has chemical accelerator to chase down Russian 500 km/h Geran-4 The accelerator burns chemical fuel rather than using jet propulsion.

Ukraine ranks its drone units on how deep they see. The 413th has been at top for three months The Unmanned Systems Forces unit held first place in March and April 2026, and second in May, in Ukraine's Delta battlefield-awareness system rankings.

International

Russia is already causing harm to UK. Britain may not be prepared for what comes next, says former top general Lord Peach, the former UK Chief of the Defence Staff said the hybrid war is already happening.

US warned Russia it would "be very, very sorry" over 2022 nuclear use, NATO ex-military chief confirms Russian forces in Ukraine would be "taken out conventionally" by the Americans, the Kremlin was warned amid Kherson retreat, Admiral Bauer says.

"Ukraine might have won" if NATO had acted in 2022, ex-top chief says Admiral Rob Bauer says the West armed Ukraine too slowly to win — and never had a strategy for victory at all.

German defense firm has made Ukraine its second-largest international base Germany's Quantum Systems is building drones, ground robots, and software.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian drone strikes nuclear fuel storage site in Chornobyl zone A drone attack damaged a key building at Ukraine's centralized spent fuel storage facility, triggering a fire that emergency teams later extinguished.

"The worst environmental catastrophe since Chornobyl disaster": Three years after Russia destroyed Kakhovka Dam, real death toll is still unknown On 6 June 2023, Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant while occupying the dam, flooding 80 settlements, forcing nearly 4,000 people to evacuate, and killing at least 34.

Russian pilot saw man in Ukraine's Kramatorsk and chose to kill him. FPV drones are operated in real time The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has formally classified these strikes as crimes against humanity.

"An unwavering priority": 186 Ukrainians return home in major prisoner swap with Russia Several of the freed Ukrainians were detained in 2022, with some taken during the battles for Mariupol and Azovstal.

Political and legal developments

What do Ukrainian drone makers have to accept to win Pentagon contracts? Experts document "draconian conditions" Below 50% foreign ownership triggers a Security Control Agreement under which the company must be led by a US citizen.

A ship linked to stolen grain from occupied Ukraine was seized in Sweden. A court says Kyiv can have it. The vessel was detained in March and is suspected of helping move grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.

Read our previous daily review here.