Exclusive
 |
Russia's cozy nuke-proof command vehicle is back in action. Russian industry only produced four or five Ladoga nuclear reconnaissance vehicles. Two wound up in Ukraine. |
 |
From ambush to alliance: Zelenskyy-Trump summit hints at revival of "peace through strength. Something fundamental shifted when the man who promised to end Ukraine's war in 24 hours discovered Putin won't negotiate in good faith. |
 |
Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn bill. This Oval Office meeting went better than the last—but the war continues and enforcement remains unclear. |
 |
Ukrainian soldier first fought against Russia and then against Ukraine – his story reveals forced conscription in occupation. Ukrainian defenders captured their fellow Ukrainian fighting in Russian uniform who shared that the occupying authorities had threatened him with up to 12 years in prison for allegedly fabricated charges if he did not join killing of his own people on the front lines. |
 |
Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don't have to. A New York tech CEO is finding the answer to Russia's three-to-one manpower advantage. |
 |
NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.. Azov went from pariah to the territorial defense case study. |
 |
Zelenskyy demands "everything" for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection. Ukraine wants weapons, troops, and intelligence support. Trump says he will discuss the guarantees with NATO allies later today. |
Military
Putin's circle bleeds in Donbas: Brother of Russian ruling party's deputy killed in Luhansk Oblast. Oleksandr Milonov died far from home in Luhansk after fighting for over a year.
Three-week Ukrainian drone blitz cuts 13.5% of Russian oil capacity, triggers price crisis. Moscow's energy infrastructure collapse forces Russian consumers to pay record fuel prices while the Kremlin struggles to maintain both domestic supply and military operations.
Oval Office map showed 20% of Ukraine taken—Zelenskyy says "just 1% in 1,000 days, actually". The Ukrainian President said the misconception inflated Russia's perceived military strength.
"Russia's victorious mood has turned to despair" — Syrskyi on frontline situation. Russia poured over 100,000 soldiers into Donetsk's Pokrovsk front, a force analysts say could attack a European country. Yet Ukrainian defenders, reinforced by the elite Azov Brigade, halted the advance, regained lost settlements, and pushed the invaders back.
Ukraine's drones make Russia's rear go up in flames. Bilokurakyne rail hub burns as precision strikes reach deeper into Russian logistics.
ISW: Russia's advance near Dobropillia is fracturing under Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukrainian troops retook key villages at the base of Russia's narrow penetration near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast.
Third fire in days: Lukoil's Volgograd refinery burns again. In less than a week, the facility sustained one confirmed attack, followed by another fire two days after the strike.
Ukraine cuts off Putin's pipeline profits—Europe's Druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday's drone assault. A key pumping station burned after Kyiv's forces hit deep inside Russia, ending oil flows to Russia's ally, Hungary.
Intelligence and technology
It carries 1,150 kg, flies 3,000 km, and it's called Flamingo—Ukraine's new cruise missile enters combat (video). FirePoint reportedly conducted successful tests of the missile a few months ago, after which the missile entered serial production.
Ukraine's security guarantees from US may inlcude $90 billion weapon aid package that could fund 4.5 years of fighting. The package, expected to be signed within days, envisions not only ammunition but also aircraft, air defense systems, and advanced weaponry.
International
Trump's tariff strategy against India's Russian oil purchases creates unexpected windfall for Chinese refineries. Beijing's state-owned refineries are stockpiling discounted Urals crude at 75,000 barrels daily, nearly double their normal intake.
UN: Russia's war kills four humanitarian aid workers in 100 attacks in Ukraine. Moscow employs dual strategy of targeting protected aid personnel while wielding institutional power to prevent consequences.
Zelenskyy rejects Putin's Moscow meeting proposal while Russia plots peace talks and civilian deaths at same time. The proposal signals Putin's successful strategy to escape diplomatic isolation.
Macron says Putin shows no intent to end war—the killing hasn't stopped. He pointed to new Russian strikes even as world leaders gathered in Washington yesterday.
Trump claims breakthrough on Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Kremlin pretends not to hear. Moscow's only official comment: maybe delegations could talk more, someday.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russian 1,000-ship network generates millions in military funds from stolen Ukrainian grain in Iran, Turkiye, Egypt. Moscow's agricultural crime network generates millions in military funding while international buyers become unwitting accomplices in financing Ukraine's destruction.
Russia targeted Ukraine with 270 drones and 10 missiles while Trump and Zelenskyy met in Washington. Russia hit homes, greenhouses, power facilities, and a school — the attacks left civilians wounded in multiple oblasts.
New developments
From $600 to $1,000: Ukraine pitches a market with growing buying power. Government forecasts salaries will almost double current levels, targeting international investor confidence.
Ukraine bets on nuclear to rebuild grid and supply Europe. Government plans massive reactor expansion while Russian missiles target the grid.
Read our earlier daily review here.
