The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
A view of the damage to a school that was attacked by Shahed drones four days ago in Sloviansk, Ukraine, on June 13, 2025. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia. Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers and citizens as part of an agreement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 13.
Ukraine receives 5th tranche of EU aid from frozen Russian assets, PM confirms. Ukraine has received another 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in macro-financial assistance from the European Union as part of a G7 loan, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 13.
Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea’s capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne.
‘At a critical time’ — Zelensky appoints new head of Ukraine’s mission to NATO. The appointment came “at a critical time for the future of Ukraine, for the future of NATO itself, and, of course, for Ukraine’s future in NATO. I realize the responsibility,” Aliona Hetmanchuk said on her Facebook page on June 13.
Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video. The Air Force thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack.
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After Israel’s strikes, Ukraine says Iran ‘source of problems’ but warns against destabilization. Ukraine on June 13 expressed concern over the security situation in the Middle East after Israeli air strikes against Iran, but stressed that Tehran remains a “source of problems” in the region “and beyond.”
Russia condemns Israel’s strike on Iran as ‘unprovoked aggression.’ Moscow, which currently wages the largest war on the European continent since World War II, condemned Israel’s attack as an “unprovoked aggression,” saying it had violated the U.N. Charter.
Amid Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why ‘everybody hates’ Russia. “He (Russian President Vladimir Putin) fought with us in World War II… and now everybody hates Russia and loves Germany and Japan. It’s a strange world,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. To date, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a major industrial region in central Ukraine — has not seen confirmed Russian ground incursions.
Without a hint of irony, Putin offers condolences for ‘civilian casualties’ in Iran, condemns Israel’s ‘violations’ of UN Charter. The conversations took place just hours after Russia launched its own missile and drone assault on Ukraine.
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Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on June 13.
Photo: Libkos / Getty Images
Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine
Israel’s “preemptive” strikes against Iran targeting the country’s nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia’s ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Majid Saeedi / Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Iranian commander killed in Israeli airstrike oversaw Shahed drone supply to Russia. Amir Ali Hajizadeh was sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 for overseeing Tehran’s supply of Shahed-type drones to Russia.
Three Russian POWs on fighting in Ukraine, supporting Putin
International response
NATO to strengthen missile defenses in Eastern Europe to counter Russian threats, Bloomberg reports. For the first time, member states of NATO are reportedly considering combining the alliance’s ballistic missile shield with other integrated missile defense assets.
Oil prices surge after Israeli strike on Iran. The price spike threatens to undermine Western efforts to choke off a vital revenue stream for Russia, which relies heavily on oil profits to sustain its war in Ukraine.
US ready to defend itself, Israel if Iran responds to Israeli air strikes, Trump says. U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 13 that he was aware of Israel’s plans to conduct strikes on Iran in advance and that Washington is watching for any signs of retaliation by Tehran, Fox News reported.
Iran launches 100 drones at Israel in response to air strikes; IDF says all intercepted. Iran launched over 100 drones against Israel, all of which were intercepted outside of Israeli airspace, Ynet News reported on June 13, citing Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin.
Israel vows ‘more is on the war’ as Iran launches hundreds of missiles towards Israel, injuring 34. Iran launched ‘hundreds’ of ballistic missiles towards Israel late on June 13, Iranian state media reported, as Tehran continues it retaliatory attacks in response to Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.
Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns. “According to our intelligence, Russia has started to prepare strategic reserves, which indicates plans for combat operations not only in Ukraine,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said
Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius says. “Yes, that’s right. That would be so and we have to deal with that,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about a potential U.S. pullback.
Russia may provoke crisis in Transnistria ahead of Moldova’s elections, Sandu warns. “All these years, Russia has been using the residents of Transnistria and can provoke an even greater crisis at any moment,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.
British jets intercept Russian spy plane over Baltic Sea, Poland calls it NATO readiness test. “This is another case of provocative testing of the readiness of NATO countries’ systems,” Poland’s military command said.
In other news
Russian Su-25 jet reportedly crashes in Donetsk Oblast. A Russian SU-25 fighter jet reportedly crashed over Donetsk Oblast on June 13, Russian social media channels reported.
Ukraine’s Sapsan ballistic missile to enter serial production following successful combat testing. Ukraine’s domestically developed short-range Sapsan ballistic missile has successfully completed combat testing and is in the process of serial production, Ukrainian media reported on June 13.
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