The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
This newsletter is brought to you by Medical Bridges.
Medical Supplies for Ukraine’s Hospitals. Partnering for global health equity.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Liubov reacts as she holds a portrait of her missing son Oleksandr while awaiting the arrival of released Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) at a prisoner exchange in the Chernihiv region on June 26, 2025. Ukraine and Russia exchanged a new group of captured soldiers, the latest in a series of prisoner swaps agreed at peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month. (Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW swap under Istanbul deal. “Today, soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning home,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said without revealing their numbers.
Erdogan says Trump ready to join Zelensky-Putin talks in Turkey. “We will hold the necessary contacts and, God willing, realize this meeting as soon as possible,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
European companies shipping critical missile parts to Russia, Zelensky tells EU. “Some European companies are still sending critical components to Russia. These end up in missiles and other weapons used to kill us, kill Ukrainians.”
‘Alarms went off everywhere’ — Explosions reported in Moscow, Russia claims 50 Ukrainian drones downed across country. Explosions were reported in Moscow overnight on June 26, prompting airport closures, as Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that two drones were shot down.
Ukrainian drones strike Russian S-400 air defense system in occupied Crimea, HUR says. The attack damaged “critical and expensive components” of Russia’s S-400 Triumph air defense system, including two 92N2E multifunctional control radars, two 91N6E detection radars, and an S-400 launcher, according to HUR.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
Over 20,000 Russian soldiers prosecuted for refusing to fight in Ukraine, media reports. As of late May, the outlet documented 20,538 such cases since September 2022 when the Kremlin announced a first wave of mobilization, compared to 10,025 cases reported by Mediazona last June.
North Korea likely to send more troops to Russia by August, South Korea says. Pyongyang has already begun recruiting soldiers for deployment to Russia, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
Ukraine to receive $46 million for repairs to Chornobyl sarcophagus after Russian strike. Ukraine will receive €42.5 million ($45.7 million) from international partners to repair the protective arch over Chornobyl’s destroyed reactor, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk announced.
Trump wants to slash war crimes investigation funds, Reuters reports. One of the groups targeted for termination is Global Rights Compliance, which gathers evidence of Russian war crimes across Ukraine, including torture and sexual violence.
Ukraine to receive 20 new Rheinmetall Ermine vehicles — here’s what they can do. Rheinmetall said the deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Russia’s advance in Sumy Oblast ‘halted’; Kyiv, Moscow carry out POW swap
Ukraine has halted Russia’s advance in Sumy Oblast, stabilizing the front line and blunting the momentum of Moscow’s summer offensive, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on June 26.
Photo: Nikoletta Stoyanova/Getty Images
Putin under pressure to declare war on Ukraine, but experts say Russia isn’t ready
Despite pounding Ukrainian cities nightly with missiles and drones and suffering heavy losses, one startling fact about Russia’s full-scale invasion remains — Moscow has yet to officially declare war on Ukraine.
Photo: Gavriil Grigorov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte set out to demonstrate that transatlantic unity remains strong — even if that meant appeasing Trump with flattery and deprioritizing Ukraine.
Photo: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
Facing manpower shortage, Ukrainian brigade turns to women in first-ever female recruitment drive
“Motivated women are better at any job than unmotivated men,” said Alina Andreieva, a drone operator in a Khartiia reconnaissance unit and the key driver of the campaign.
Photo: X / Khartiia Brigade
Human cost of Russia’s war
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,015,750 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
Trump vowed at NATO summit that Russia won’t attack alliance during his presidency, WP reports. U.S. President Donald Trump promised during the NATO summit in The Hague that Russia would never attack the alliance while he is in office, the Washington Post reported on June 26, citing three unnamed European officials.
Taking lessons from Ukraine war, Trump’s US defense budget prioritizes drones, missiles. The budget includes increased investment in small drones, a response to their proven battlefield value in Ukraine.
Meloni tells Trump US must show ‘same determination’ on Ukraine as with Iran. “I said the same determination is needed to achieve two other important ceasefires,” Meloni said.
Russia reportedly helping North Korea build warships, but questions over seaworthiness remain after failed launch. Satellite imagery and launch footage suggest a clear Russian design influence.
EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia for 6 months. The agreement comes amid fears that Hungary, one of the bloc’s most Kremlin-friendly member states, would attempt to block the sanctions extension.
Hungary blocks EU statement backing Ukraine’s accession talks at Brussels summit. All EU states, except Hungary, said the European Council reaffirmed Ukraine’s “inherent right to choose its own destiny” and support for the country’s “path towards EU membership.”
Orban claims 95% oppose Ukraine’s EU accession in disputed Hungary referendum. The poll, promoted by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, has drawn criticism over its credibility and turnout.
Kyrgyz citizen pleads guilty to illegally exporting US firearms to Russia. “The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York said.
In other news
The Kyiv Independent reaches 20,000 paying members — thanks to our global community. The Kyiv Independent has officially reached 20,000 paying members, becoming the first Ukrainian media outlet in history to cross this milestone.
The Kyiv Independent delivers urgent, independent journalism from the ground, from breaking news to investigations into war crimes. Your support helps us keep telling the truth. Become a member today.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Chris York, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Martin Fornusek, Yana Prots, Kateryna Denisova, Francis Farrell, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
