Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1235: June becomes deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians

Exclusive

"Obvious revenge": Ukraine prosecutes the activist who created its anti-corruption system. Vitaliy Shabunin has many critics. But today, even they agree that the state is sliding dangerously close to authoritarianism.

The brain behind Ukraine's shadow war successes—Motorola and Kursk—gunned down in Kyiv parking lot. Five silenced shots in a Kyiv parking lot ended the career of the colonel who eliminated Motorola and masterminded Ukraine's Kursk offensive

Vacancies: News reporter, Defense tech reporter, Head of SMM. Euromaidan Press is expanding and searching for professional soulmates who believe in independent journalism.

Military

Frontline report: Russia's shadow fleet was supposed to be untouchable — then Ukraine showed up. Ukraine is hitting shadow tankers, refineries, and oil wells—disrupting every link in Russia's export chain. Russia turns occupied Mariupol's Azovstal plant into its launchpad of terror, building bases where Ukrainian defenders once held line. What was once a symbol of resistance now serves Moscow's war machine, hidden, hardened, and ready to strike again. Frontline report: Russia put tires on its jets to stop drones. Ukraine burned the jets anyway. To defend against Ukrainian drones, Russian aircrews placed tires on parked jets. It didn't work. At least four Su-34s were destroyed on the ground. Ukraine's Intelligence: Massive gas pipeline explosion hits Russian military supply network, thousands kilometers from Kyiv. A strategic pipeline feeding military plants was destroyed in Langepas, causing tens of millions in losses. Russia targets Ukraine's western "safe havens" with record 597-drone attack. Two people are confirmed killed, two more in intensive care.

Intelligence and technology

Germany refuses to send Taurus missiles but funds hundreds of Ukrainian-made long-range strike systems. By the end of July, Ukraine will receive the first of hundreds of precision weapons backed by Berlin to cripple Russia's war machine. Ukraine is developing new air defense arsenal to down "unstoppable" Russian hypersonic missiles. Half of Kyiv's defense needs are now produced domestically. EU pours billions into drone firms that steal from Ukraine's Skyeton, company with 350,000 combat flight hours. Roman Kniazhenko's team works 24/7 to survive, while foreign companies copy their tech and collect contracts worth billions. As Pyongyang ships millions of shells to Moscow, Seoul delivers hundreds of tanks to NATO's ally. In a $6.7 billion deal, Warsaw arms itself with South Korean equipment, replacing tanks it sent to Ukraine

International

Rome recovery conference delivers unprecedented €11 billion boost to Ukraine. Amid Russian attacks, Ukraine secures the largest-ever reconstruction commitment backed by 70 countries and global banks. Ukrainian refugees boost Czech economy, but it won't save pro-Ukraine government. The Security Information Service just delivered the kind of news governments dream about: 390,000 Ukrainian refugees are generating more revenue than they cost. Too bad the ruling coalition is about to get crushed in elections anyway.

Humanitarian and social impact

UN: Russian attacks kill 232 Ukrainian civilians in June, highest monthly toll in three years. Terror becomes Russia's primary weapon as conventional military objectives prove unachievable. Read our earlier daily review here.