The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
People sweep the ground during cleanup efforts in the damaged area after the Russian attack on a post office in the city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on June 16, 2025. A post office and a car wash were damaged in the Russian attack, but there were no casualties. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Kyiv hit by Russian drones and ballistic missiles, over a dozen injured. At least 16 people were injured in the city, most of them in the Solomianskyi district, including a woman in serious condition, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Russia ramps up its summer offensive in several directions, Ukraine’s military says. The surge in activity near Novopavlivka suggests Russian forces are attempting to push into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which neighbors the embattled Donetsk Oblast, said Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces.
Zelensky in Austria talks about reconstruction, return of abducted children, punishing oligarchs. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that agreements signed in Austria cover agriculture, reconstruction, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children from Russia.
‘Russians lie about everything’ — Ukraine hits out at Kremlin claims after yet another drone strike on Kyiv. “This is a deliberate tactic of terror,” Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said.
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Russia to demand Ukraine destroy Western weapons to end war, senior Kremlin official says. The remarks reflect Moscow’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its so-called “peace memorandum.”
Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR says. According to Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), the vessel, operating without Western insurance, is part of Russia’s expanding shadow fleet used to bypass G7 and EU sanctions on Russian oil exports.
Zelensky’s trust rating drops 11 points to 65%, poll shows. The survey found that 65% of Ukrainians currently trust the president, while 30% do not, yielding a trust balance of +35%, the lowest recorded since March.
Satellite images show expansion at 5 Russian nuclear sites near Europe. One of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction.
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Ukraine war latest: Russia ramps up its summer offensive in several directions, seeks to encircle Kostiantynivka
Russian forces have intensified offensive operations across multiple front-line areas, said Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, on June 16.
Photo: Ukrinform via Getty Images
Investing in Ukraine requires ‘nuanced understanding of risk’ but is worth it, says head of top global business group
John Denton, a secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, believes Ukraine’s recovery needs a strong private sector and access to global markets.
Photo: Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Ukraine receives 1,245 bodies of fallen soldiers and citizens, concluding Istanbul repatriation deal. The latest repatriation marks the final stage of the exchange agreement, bringing the total number of Ukrainian bodies returned under the deal to 6,057.
Russia hands over bodies of its own soldiers in recent exchange, Kyiv says. “This could have been done by the Russians on purpose to increase the number of bodies transferred and to load our (forensic) experts with work, adding to all this cynical information pressure. Or it could be their usual negligent attitude toward their own people. In any case, we also identify these bodies,” Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.
6 killed, 18 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day. Russia launched 138 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
International response
US cancels talks with Russia on restoring diplomatic relations, Moscow claims. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the upcoming round was intended to “eliminate irritants” and help normalize the operations of both nations’ diplomatic missions.
Canada reportedly set to announce new military aid for Ukraine at G7. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce additional support for Ukraine during the G7 summit, CBC News reported on June 16, citing government sources.
Opinions and insights
Let Ukraine join Joint Expeditionary Force countries. Especially now
“With Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians intensifying, Vladimir Putin’s war industry running 24/7, and the NATO summit in The Hague fast approaching, it is clearer than ever that bold steps are needed to reinforce Europe’s commitment to Ukraine,” writes Jan Paternotte, Dutch member of parliament.
Photo: AFP via Getty Images
In other news
Trump leaving G7 summit early ahead of anticipated June 17 meeting with Zelensky. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to depart the G7 Leaders’ Summit late on June 16, ahead of an anticipated high-stakes meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 17.
Ukraine moves forward on lithium mining under US minerals deal, NYT reports. On June 16, the Ukrainian government reportedly agreed to begin drafting recommendations for a bidding process to develop the Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine.
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