The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]

Before we give you the news, a small request. The Kyiv Independent’s journalism is funded by our readers. Right now, we are just 800 people short of reaching our goal of 20,000 members.

Can we count you in?

BECOME A MEMBER

Russia’s war against Ukraine

People taking part in the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign march, demanding Russia return abducted Ukrainian children, in central London, United Kingdom, June 1, 2025. (Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images)

34% of Russian strategic missile bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the June 1 “Spider Web” drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases.

Russian military freight train blown up en route to Crimea, Ukraine’s HUR claims. “The Muscovites’ key logistical artery on the occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Crimea has been destroyed,” HUR’s statement said.

Ukrainian Land Forces Commander resigns after Russian attack that killed 12 soldiers on training grounds. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation on June 1.

Russia shatters drone record, launches 472 UAVs at Ukraine night before Kyiv’s strike on Russian airfields. The mass aerial attack breaks Russia’s previous record, set just last week on May 26, by over 100 drones.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Russian soldiers surrendered because ‘abuse in units is worse than captivity,’ Ukrainian paratroopers say. Russia’s abuse of its own soldiers has been well documented throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky announces updated Ukrainian delegation list, ahead of planned peace talks with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 1 an updated 14-member Ukrainian delegation for upcoming peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, expanding the original group of 12.

Lavrov, Rubio discuss peace settlement ahead of Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul. The State Department confirmed that Russia requested the call and that Rubio reiterated President Trump’s call for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve “a lasting peace.”

Read our exclusives

‘Russian bombers are burning en masse’ — Ukraine’s SBU drones hit ‘more than 40’ aircraft in mass attack

An operation by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) using first-person-view (FPV) drones smuggled deep inside Russian and hidden inside trucks has hit 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on June 1.

Photo: Ukraine’s Security Service

Learn more

As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks

“There are no signs that Russia is willing to consider making any concessions, and every sign that Russia intends to keep pushing ahead on the battlefield to try to take control of as much Ukrainian territory as possible,”international politics expert Jenny Mathers told the Kyiv Independent.

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Learn more

May 2025: Ukraine in photos

The Kyiv Independent partnered with the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers to look back at some of May’s most memorable moments through the eyes of Ukrainian photographers. Ukraine continues to fight, adapt, and endure — a story captured in each image from this turbulent May.

Photo: Oleksandr Magula

Learn more

Human cost of Russia’s war

12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center. A statement on the attack did not identify the location of the training grounds, nor the specific type of missile used by Russia.

Russia attacks Kharkiv with ballistic missiles, drones, injuring at least 6, including child. A 7-year-old boy was among the victims injured in overnight attacks on the city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported. Information about casualties and damage is still being investigated.

General Staff: Russia has lost 987,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,230 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Germany steps up aid after Russia’s unprecedented attacks | Ukraine This Week

International response

UK wants nuclear-armed US fighter jets to counter Russian threat, Times reports. The British military is looking at F-35A Lightning stealth fighter jets, made by Lockheed Martin.

In other news

Nationalist candidate Nawrocki wins Polish presidential election by narrow margin. Right-wing historian Karol Nawrocki garnered 50.89% of the vote in the run-off election on June 1, narrowly defeating his liberal rival, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

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, Kollen Post, Martin Fornusek, Sonya Bandouil, Olena Goncharova, Dmytro Basmat, Abbey Fenbert, and Lucy Pakhnyuk. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.