Exclusives
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Ukraine’s AI drones are so thick in the sky that they cross each other’s flight paths. Ukraine's A.I. drones are stacking up over the Russian logistical zone, each looking for a truck to blow up. |
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Ukraine’s IMF lifeline depends on tax reforms parliament keeps stalling. A $614 million parcel tax that unlocks $8.1 billion in IMF funding is six weeks past its deadline. |
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Babiš didn’t scrap Czechia’s shell pipeline to Ukraine—he just stopped paying for it. New Czech government keeps program running, but external donors now carry the full cost. |
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What it means when Russia starts picking the EU’s negotiator—and what Brussels said back. Russia just tried to pick its opponent’s negotiator. Brussels said no. Berlin had already said no. |
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Portugal just hit highest defense-industry growth since 1986. Its defense minister links boom to Russia’s war. Nearly 100 new defense companies created in 16 months. |
Military
"Mirror response": Ukraine confirms Orenburg strike 1,500 km from border after renewed Russian aerial attacks. A drone strike in Orenburg damaged a residential building near a major missile and aircraft components plant, according to analysis and local reports.
One radar sees 250 km out. The other measures altitude at 300 km range. Ukraine's drones just took both out in Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine drone forces and SOF reported more of their middle-range strike across the occupied territories. Targets: radars, fuel depots, bases.
A Kyiv Oblast kindergarten was hit hours after Russia's "ceasefire" ended. Russia also targeted Dnipro locomotives, Mykolaiv power facilities, bombed Zaporizhzhia, and shelled more regions.
Moscow's Victory Day ceasefire reduced combat but became Russia's stockpile window, ISW finds. A Ukrainian brigade in the Lyman direction said Russia held Molniya drones back before the truce, then released them during the pause while bringing up reserves.
Buk, Tor, Kasta, Tunguska—Russia's air defense menu shrinks by $131 million in another seven days. The destruction came in the drone forces' strikes across occupied Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Russia's Bryansk Oblast over the past week.
Intelligence and technology
"Future of war" meets Ukraine's black soil: ground drone commander on why combat robots often don't survive the first battle. Ground drones are often considered a big part of the future of warfare, but a Ukrainian commander says real battlefield conditions quickly expose their limits, from mud-clogged wheels to electronics failures and unreliable first missions.
Russia sacrificed fuel capacity on its Kh-101 to pack heavier warhead and added incendiary steel balls with zirconium. The original Kh-101 had a 500 kg warhead and 2,500 km range.
International
Ukraine and US prepare landmark "Drone Deal" to expand weapons production and exports. The agreement would formalize cooperation on drone manufacturing and technology exchange.
Ukraine pitches EU on an "airport ceasefire" with Russia—Moscow's two main airports are now in Ukrainian striking range. Ukraine's FM says the mutual halt could give Russia an incentive to engage, while letting European leaders broker as a complementary track to US-led talks.
BBC: 184 sanctioned Russian tankers made 238 journeys through UK waters since the PM's March intercept threat. 94 instances saw vessels enter actual UK territorial waters, and a Russian frigate escorted one tanker through the Channel — with zero publicly confirmed boardings.
Ukraine has built world's most battle-tested defense industry. Berlin plugs in with "Brave Germany". Germany and Ukraine just signed a joint defense technology program, and Berlin is already funding a third of everything Ukraine has.
Germany views Putin's Schröder ceasefire proposal part of Russia's hybrid strategy aimed at dividing West. It could consider him on one condition. Berlin's initial response was unambiguous, as German officials dismissed the proposal.
EU's 21st Russia sanctions package will target the shadow fleet, banks, and firms selling stolen Ukrainian grain—Politico. Brussels expects the package in late June or early July, EU officials told Politico, with Hungary's change of government unlocking measures previously blocked under Viktor Orbán, including sanctions on Patriarch Kirill.
Humanitarian and social impact
Nine-month-old girl lost a leg, at least six killed as Russia strikes Kryvyi Rih and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A Russian Shahed drone hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, officials said.
UK, EU, and Canada sanction Russian networks linked to deportation of Ukrainian children. The measures come amid estimates that more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia or occupied territories since the start of the full-scale invasion, with many still unaccounted for.
Nearly 50 countries join Ukraine's coalition to return children abducted by Russia. Switzerland and Cyprus have joined Ukraine's International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children as efforts continue to locate and bring home minors taken during Russia's war.
Russia tried to swap abducted Ukrainian children like POWs, Sybiha reveals. Sybiha rejects Russia's bid to swap abducted Ukrainian children for POWs. Only 2,000 of 20,000 home.
Four Ukrainians remain on MV Hondius cruise ship after hantavirus outbreak killed three. A fifth Ukrainian crew member is being evacuated by special flight to the Netherlands.
Political and legal developments
Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies uncover major laundering scheme involving former top officials and elite real estate near Kyiv. NABU and SAPO say they uncovered a UAH 460 million laundering scheme tied to elite construction near Kyiv, involving former senior officials and business figures.
Ukraine drafted a 'right to forget.' Then NABU named Yermak a suspect.. A use case is already pending in court.
Ukraine is preparing military contracts with guaranteed demobilization rights and combat pay up to $9,100 per month. For soldiers mobilized since 2022 with no legal pathway home, this is the most significant potential reform of the war.
Ukraine anti-corruption agencies serve suspicion notice to ex-Presidential Office head Yermak over alleged $10M laundering. Andrii Yermak was once the most powerful official in Ukraine after Zelenskyy himself.
Three months absent from your shop in occupied Luhansk? Russia declares it "ownerless" and takes it. Russia targets 150 commercial properties in occupied Luhansk for "nationalization," including shops left vacant for three months or with one unpaid utility bill.
Read our previous daily review here.
