This week in Ukraine
This week, Ukraine's defense industry encountered new hurdles despite opening arms exports, as Russian forces attacked Odesa, damaging its transport infrastructure. In response, President Zelenskyy announced upcoming diplomatic changes to improve weapons supply deals. Internationally, the European Commission withdrew a 2 million grant to the Venice Biennale due to the return of the Russian pavilion.
About Ukraine
Ukraine, a vast Eastern European nation, boasts a rich history, diverse geography, and profound cultural heritage. Its media landscape, while pluralistic, operates under wartime conditions, influenced by oligarchic ownership and reporting constraints imposed by martial law, shaping a complex news environment.
Visiting Ukraine
Media landscape
The media environment is pluralistic but heavily influenced by oligarchic ownership and operates under martial law, which imposes reporting constraints. Recent legislation mandates a minimum percentage of Ukrainian-language content across various media platforms.
To gain a comprehensive understanding, consult a variety of sources, being mindful of potential biases stemming from media ownership and wartime reporting conditions.
Sources we track 1
Ukraine opens arms exports, but manufacturers face new hurdles
- Ukraine's defense industry faces a paradox, able to showcase advanced combat-tested products like drones at international exhibitions but unable to fully export them. - Despite President Zelenskyy's…
Russia Attacks Odesa, Damaging Transport Infrastructure
- Russian forces launched an attack on Odesa on July 13, targeting the city's transport infrastructure. - The attack resulted in damage to key transportation facilities.
European Commission confirms withdrawal of €2m grant to Venice Biennale over return of Russian pavilion
- The European Commission has officially withdrawn a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale for the 2025-2028 period. - The funding was revoked after the Biennale Foundation confirmed the reopening o…
Zelenskyy announces diplomatic changes to boost weapons supply deals
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming changes in diplomatic roles. - The changes aim to improve the implementation of agreements with international partners regarding weapons su…
Zelenskyy weighs elections amid war, discusses potential candidates with inner circle
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with top officials to discuss holding elections amid the ongoing Russian invasion. - The confidential meeting, held at a state residence outside Kyiv, inc…
Zero reports is not cause for celebration, it's cause for alarm
- Zero reported violations of sexual exploitation and abuse by a major agency is cause for alarm, not celebration, according to the author. - The author aims to build a system in Ukraine that prioriti…
Drones disable air defense before Ukrainian aircraft strike Russian command posts
- Ukrainian troops conducted a joint operation using drones to disable a Russian air defense system before an aircraft strike. - Drones targeted a Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system conceale…
Education Under Russian Occupation: A Key Battleground in Ukraine
- Russian occupation authorities targeted schools and universities in Ukraine, aiming to control education and promote Russification. - Ukrainian children were subjected to Russian national symbols, p…
Hypersonic or quasi-ballistic? Inside Russia's Zircon missiles terrorising Kyiv
- Ukraine faces a severe shortage of air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles, including Russia's Zircon. - Russia is exploiting this vulnerability by launching do…
Ukraine tells Russia to pursue peace talks, not 'spirit of Anchorage'
- Ukraine's foreign minister urged Russia to abandon any hope of American support and engage in genuine peace talks. - The statement comes in response to recent Russian claims about the U.S. retreatin…
Ukraine downs 118 of 135 Russian drones in ongoing attack, some strikes recorded
- Ukraine's air defense forces successfully intercepted 118 out of 135 Russian drones during a large-scale attack. - Despite the high interception rate, some strikes were recorded as the attack contin…
Women's voices must be heard in Ukraine's public and political life
- Women's voices are essential in Ukraine's public and political life, especially during the full-scale invasion. - The war has impacted women differently, increasing their responsibilities in familie…
Russian strikes on Nikopol district injure five, including two-year-old boy
- Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 21 injured five civilians, including a two-year-old boy. - The attacks, which involved drones and artillery, targeted multiple administrative units i…
Russian guided aerial bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia have injured 26 people, Zelenskyy reports
- Russian guided aerial bomb attacks on Zaporizhzhia on June 20 resulted in five deaths and 26 injuries, according to President Zelenskyy. - Zelenskyy reported that several other Ukrainian regions, in…
Ukraine FM thanks Poles opposing tensions, cites Russia as common enemy
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked Poles who oppose escalating tensions between the two nations. - Sybiha reminded them of their shared enemy, Russia, and expressed hope for future goo…
Why Ukrainian military personnel are criticising Defence Ministry for proposed army reform
- Ukraine's Ministry of Defence announced a significant military reform package including new contracts, fixed service terms, and increased pay. - The reforms aim to provide service members with new c…
Ukraine official to return Polish award over Zelenskyy honor revocation
- Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, will return a Polish state award. - The decision follows Polish President Karol Nawrocki's move to revoke an award given to Ukrainian …
Russian guided bomb strike on Kharkiv leaves several injured, including child
- Russian forces attacked the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv with guided bombs on the night of June 19-20. - The strike hit a two-story residential building, injuring nine people, including a six…
Zelenskyy: US positive about missile licence issue for first time
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism about obtaining U.S. licenses for domestic anti-ballistic missile production. - Zelenskyy cited positive signals from the G7, including for…
Zelenskyy Calls Bryansk Bus Incident a Russian Provocation, Denies Ukraine's Involvement
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that international experts have concluded Ukraine was not involved in an alleged attack on a bus in Russia's Bryansk Oblast. - Zelenskyy described the incident a…
Zelenskyy expects opening of all clusters in EU accession talks in coming weeks
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy anticipates the opening of the final five negotiation clusters for EU accession in the upcoming weeks. - This development marks a significant step in Ukraine'…
Zelenskyy shares photos of meeting with Trump at G7 summit, citing need to coordinate positions
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared photos of a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France. - Zelenskyy captioned the post, emphasizing the importance of coordinati…
NATO narrowly repels attack in Russian-style cyber warfare simulation
- NATO conducted a cyber warfare simulation in Poland to test its readiness against disinformation campaigns, similar to those Ukraine faces from Russia. - The exercise involved a fictional adversary …
EU's 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia Expected June 8-9
- The European Commission is set to present the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia on June 8 or 9. - Sources indicate the package will target Russia's energy revenues, including measures ag…
"Eaglets of Russia": Ukrainian children being turned into future Russian soldiers
- The article investigates the fate of Ukrainian children evacuated to Russia, who are allegedly being turned into future Russian soldiers. - Oleh, an orphan evacuated from Donetsk, was placed with th…
Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones: residential buildings hit, 1 killed and 21 injured
- Russian forces launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv. - Residential buildings were hit, causing damage and fires, with early reports indicating one fatality and multiple …
Ukraine Defense Contractor Fire Point: Unpacking the $7.1 Billion Controversy
- Ukrainska Pravda published recordings of Tymur Mindich, co-owner of Kvartal 95, discussing operational matters with the former defense minister on behalf of drone manufacturer Fire Point. - A public…
Russians strike Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: two killed, two injured in renewed attacks
- Russian forces launched artillery and drone attacks on two districts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. - The attacks resulted in two fatalities and two injuries, with infrastructure, businesses, an…
Kremlin Ramps Up Recruitment Pressure as Troop Numbers Fall Short
- Russia is resorting to administrative coercion and pressure to meet its contract soldier recruitment targets for 2026, avoiding overt mobilization due to its political costs. - The Kremlin aims for …
Colonel Yelizarov on Downing Shaheds and Developing Ukraine's Drone Force
- Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov, a former TV producer, now serves as Deputy Commander of the Air Force, focusing on air defense and counter-drone capabilities. - His unit, Lasar's Group, has been highly eff…
Pastry chef by day, air defence operator by night: the woman from Bucha shooting down Russian drones
- Liudmyla Lysenko, a pastry chef from Bucha, Ukraine, volunteers as an air defence operator. - She joined the Defence Forces after witnessing the devastation in Bucha following Russia's full-scale in…
One person injured as Russian drone hits residential building in Kharkiv
- Russian forces attacked Kharkiv overnight with drones, hitting a 12-story residential building. - One person sustained shrapnel wounds to the chest after a drone struck the 11th floor; the drone did…
Ukraine's Partners Announce €100 Million in Support at Ukraine Energy Coordinating Group Meeting
- Ukraine's partners pledged approximately €100 million in new contributions to the Energy Support Fund. - The announcement was made during a Ukraine Energy Coordinating Group meeting, aimed at bolste…
Chornobyl, Not Chernobyl: Why One Letter Matters
- The world is increasingly discussing the Chornobyl disaster, but many international outlets continue to use the Russian transliteration "Chernobyl" instead of the Ukrainian "Chornobyl." - Using the …
Zelenskyy: Ukraine Still Needs US Air Defense Despite Growing Domestic Arms Production
- Ukraine produces most of its own weaponry but still relies on US supplies for air defense systems, President Zelenskyy stated. - Zelenskyy urged Germany to help unblock a €90 billion EU loan to boos…
