The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
At a Father’s Day celebration, children whose fathers died in the war take part in the ‘Native Angel’ art project in Lviv, Ukraine, June 15, 2025. Business representatives, volunteers, military personnel, dog handlers, police officers, partners from the Red Cross, and children’s groups took part in the celebration. (Olena Znak/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukrainian agents cause millions in damage during secret sabotage operation in Russia, HUR source says. Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) ignited an electrical substation during a sabotage operation in the Russian city of Kaliningrad, causing $5 million in damage and cutting electricity to a military production site, a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.
Russian strike hit Boeing office in Kyiv in deliberate attack on US business, FT reports. “This is not just an attack against Ukraine, but also an attack where American business is being hit,” said Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.
Russia reports Ukrainian drone attack on drone factory in Tatarstan. The drones were shot down, but the debris fell on a plant in the town of Yelabuga, where Shahed-type attack drones are manufactured, causing a fire.
Another 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainians return home after exchange with Russia. Law enforcement investigations and institutions from Ukraine’s Interior Ministry will examine and identify the bodies in the near future, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said.
Russian mass attack hits energy infrastructure in Poltava Oblast. Of the 183 drones Russia launched, Ukrainian air defense neutralized 159, Ukraine’s Air Force said. Ukraine also shot down 2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles and six out of eight cruise missiles.
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Trump says he’s ‘open to’ Putin mediating between Israel, Iran. “Yeah, I would be open to it,” U.S. President Donald Trump said. “He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved.”
‘Spit in face’ — Zelensky condemns Russia’s mass attack, dismisses idea of Putin as peacemaker. “This is Russia’s spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war … At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East. The level of cynicism is staggering.”
North Korean losses exceed 6,000 in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, UK intelligence reports. North Korea has lost over 6,000 troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast—more than half of its deployed force, according to a June 15 UK defense intelligence report.
Ukraine catches Russian agent secretly filming airfield, Ukrainian Security Service says. If found guilty, the 24-year-old native of Rivne Oblast faces life imprisonment for high treason.
Trump arrives at G7 summit ahead of high-stakes meeting with Zelensky. The anticipated third meeting, scheduled for June 17, will focus on sanctions, peace talks, weapons purchases, and economic relations — and may shed light on the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv strikes Russian drone factory, Moscow targets Boeing’s office
Ukraine launched drones at Russia’s Tatarstan region on June 15, targeting a drone factory in Yelabuga that produces Shahed-style attack drones. The site is around 1,500 km from Kyiv.
Photo: Florent Vergnes / AFP via Getty Images
With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?
“While Ukraine’s dependence on the U.S. has lessened, U.S. aid remains pivotal for maintaining battlefield effectiveness,” Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi said.
Photo: Meduza / Telegram
Human cost of Russia’s war
5 Ukrainians dead in Israel after Iranian missile strike. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry told the Kyiv Independent that the five Ukrainian citizens, including three children, came under fire in an attack on a residential building in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv.
Ukrainian actor Yuriy Felipenko killed on the front line. Felipenko was well known for his role in the 2024 series “A Promise to God” before joining the Achilles Strike Drone Battalion, part of Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade, in April 2024.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,003,860 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022. The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
EU leaders call for tougher sanctions on Russia at G7 summit. “We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Russia hits 1 million losses in Ukraine | Ukraine This Week
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