This week in Ukraine
Ukrainska Pravda reports that Ukraine is actively targeting Russian infrastructure, including satellite control centers, an oil refinery in Saratov, the Engels airfield, and a fuel depot. Meanwhile, Russia claims its air defense systems intercepted over 1,100 Ukrainian drones in the past day. A separate report details allegations that Russia has transformed Crimea into a hub for abducted Ukrainians, including children.
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
Russia uses S-400 air defense missiles as terror weapons against Ukraine
- Russia is using S-400 air defense missiles as ground-attack weapons against Ukraine, causing significant damage. - These missiles, designed for air-to-air combat, are being repurposed for surface-to…
Striking satellite control centers: how Ukraine is weakening Russia's space programme | Ukrainska Pravda (UA) | 01KZDNJT87RDHG76P3A61SYGGN
- Ukraine is targeting Russian satellite control centers to disrupt its space program. - These strikes aim to degrade Russia's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. - Weakening …
Russia Claims Downing Over 1,100 Ukrainian Drones in One Day
- Russia's Ministry of Defence claims its air defense systems intercepted 1,158 Ukrainian drones in the past day. - The ministry also reported destroying six guided aerial bombs and one HIMARS rocket.…
Ukraine Confirms Strikes on Russian Oil Refinery, Airfield, and Fuel Depot
- Ukraine's defense forces successfully struck a Russian oil refinery in Saratov and the Engels airfield. - Additional strikes targeted a fuel depot in Kaluga Oblast and other military facilities. - T…
How Russia allegedly turned Crimea into a hub for abducted Ukrainians
- Russia has allegedly transformed Crimea into a hub for abducted Ukrainians. - The report details how individuals, including children, are allegedly being taken from occupied territories to Crimea. -…
Ex-Defense Minister Fedorov Explains Dismissal Amidst Reform Resistance
- Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov believes his dismissal was due to resistance against his reforms within the Ministry of Defense. - Fedorov claims influential groups with vested interests in…
Russia imports Indian petrol as refinery attacks bite
- Russia is importing at least 67,000 tonnes of petrol from India to compensate for a shortfall caused by Ukrainian strikes on its refineries. - Ukrainian attacks have reduced Russia's oil refining vo…
Germany's Russian Nuclear Power Stance Echoes Nord Stream 2 Mistake, EU Framework Lacks Security Tools
- Germany's current EU legal framework is inadequate for addressing modern security challenges, exemplified by the Nord Stream 2 issue. - The situation with Russian nuclear power highlights potential …
Forensic Experts in Ukraine Face Threats Amid High-Level Corruption Cases
- Forensic experts in Ukraine working on high-level corruption cases are facing threats and pressure to withdraw from proceedings. - An incident involving a forensic expert in the "Dynasty" case highl…
Ukraine Protests Erupt Over Defense Minister's Dismissal, Demand Commander-in-Chief Ouster
- Protests erupted in Ukraine over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with demonstrators demanding his return and the removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. - Fedorov's pres…
Russian Hospitals Overwhelmed in 2025, Indicating Deadliest Year of Ukraine War: Investigation
- Russian hospitals reportedly faced overwhelming numbers of wounded soldiers in 2025, indicating it was the deadliest year of the war. - An investigation analyzed data from medical facilities across …
Ukraine's Neptune missiles: striking oil facilities, ports, and arms factories
- Ukraine's Neptune cruise missile has proven effective, notably sinking Russia's flagship Moskva. - Ukraine adapted the anti-ship missile for land-attack purposes, with the Luch Design Office rapidly…
Trump urges Congress to add Iran provisions to Russia sanctions bill
- U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to add Iran-related provisions to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. - Trump cited the late Senator Lindsey Graham's supposed wishes as a reason for the a…
Zelenskyy: Russia rejected dozens of Ukrainian proposals to end war in 2026
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed diplomatic solutions to end the war in 2026, but Russia has refused. - Zelenskyy asserted that Russia's refusal an…
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…
