After more than three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine's military has now come up with its first-ever military recruiting campaign, targeting women, to take them in tech roles in Ukraine's Army, to fight against Russia.Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade shared a message across all social media accounts. "Her strength is her mind. Her choice is Khartiia," the message written in a sleek neon green script read.The brigade launched its first-ever women's military campaign, to attract them to tech roles in Ukraine's military.As of 2025, around 70,000 women are serving in Ukraine's nearly million-strong military, according to defence. However, it still lacks a welcoming environment for female soldiers, as the military service faces Soviet-rooted prejudice, limitations on education, career growth and access to combat positions.However, some units like Khartiia, which are comparatively progressive, are working to change the situation. Particularly, they are moderately changing internal practices to better integrate women into units.<h2>What is Khartiia brigade?</h2>The 13th Khartiia Brigade is a combat brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, formed in 2022, to fight against Russia's war. It was founded by volunteers to defend the country against Russia's aggression from the Kharkiv region.Khartiia hopes to make women feel they are welcomed and can thrive in different positions in the Ukrainian army.As the war worsens, the Ukrainian military needs all the help it can get in attracting new recruits to face Russia in the brutal war.Ukraine's army doesn't conscript women, hence female volunteers represent a highly motivated and under-utilised category in the army, as per the activists."Motivated women are better at any job than unmotivated men," said Alina Andreieva, a drone operator in Khartiia’s reconnaissance unit.She was obsessed with the idea of recruiting women since she joined the Ukraine army about a year and a half ago, Andreieva told the Kyiv Independent.Another key example of a woman in the Ukrainian army is of a 21-year-old nurse, who requested to be identified only by her callsign "Jess". She is a part of Khartiaa and quickly became a key operator of ground robotic systems within months of joining the brigade."I quickly learned basic things like soldering and assembling communication kits for our drones and figured out how the drones worked (and was then able to) propose new ideas — different flight controllers and what we could connect to them to make it informative," she told the Kyiv Independent.&nbsp;

Some units like Khartiia, which are comparatively progressive, are working to change the situation. Particularly, they are moderately changing internal practices to better integrate women into units.

After more than three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine's military has now come up with its first-ever military recruiting campaign, targeting women, to take them in tech roles in Ukraine's Army, to fight against Russia. Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade shared a message across all social media accounts. "Her strength is her mind. Her choice is Khartiia," the message written in a sleek neon green script read. The brigade launched its first-ever women's military campaign, to attract them to tech roles in Ukraine's military. As of 2025, around 70,000 women are serving in Ukraine's nearly million-strong military, according to defence. However, it still lacks a welcoming environment for female soldiers, as the military service faces Soviet-rooted prejudice, limitations on education, career growth and access to combat positions. However, some units like Khartiia, which are comparatively progressive, are working to change the situation. Particularly, they are moderately changing internal practices to better integrate women into units. What is Khartiia brigade? The 13th Khartiia Brigade is a combat brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, formed in 2022, to fight against Russia's war. It was founded by volunteers to defend the country against Russia's aggression from the Kharkiv region. Khartiia hopes to make women feel they are welcomed and can thrive in different positions in the Ukrainian army. As the war worsens, the Ukrainian military needs all the help it can get in attracting new recruits to face Russia in the brutal war. Ukraine's army doesn't conscript women, hence female volunteers represent a highly motivated and under-utilised category in the army, as per the activists. "Motivated women are better at any job than unmotivated men," said Alina Andreieva, a drone operator in Khartiia’s reconnaissance unit. She was obsessed with the idea of recruiting women since she joined the Ukraine army about a year and a half ago, Andreieva told the Kyiv Independent. Another key example of a woman in the Ukrainian army is of a 21-year-old nurse, who requested to be identified only by her callsign "Jess". She is a part of Khartiaa and quickly became a key operator of ground robotic systems within months of joining the brigade. "I quickly learned basic things like soldering and assembling communication kits for our drones and figured out how the drones worked (and was then able to) propose new ideas — different flight controllers and what we could connect to them to make it informative," she told the Kyiv Independent.

Some units like Khartiia, which are comparatively progressive, are working to change the situation. Particularly, they are moderately changing internal practices to better integrate women into units.

Manpower shortage? Ukraine begins 'FIRST-EVER' female recruiting campaign to fight against Russia's aggression

Donald Trump shared an exchange he had with a Ukrainian journalist whose husband is a soldier and is fighting in the war against Russia. At the NATO Summit, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked the president whether the US would give Ukraine Patriot missiles. She informed him that ever since the war broke out, she has been staying in Warsaw, Poland, with her kids, while her husband is fighting the war against Moscow. This jolted Trump, who said, "That’s rough". At the end of the NATO Summit in The Hague, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked Trump at the press conference, "whether or not the US is ready to sell anti-air missile systems to Ukraine."After Trump pointed at her to ask a question, he asked, "Where are you from?" "I'm from Ukraine," the woman said, and asked about the Patriot missiles, saying that "Russia has been pounding Ukraine really heavily right now."Trump asked the reporter, "Are you living yourself now in Ukraine?" She said, "My husband is there," to which a visibly moved Trump interjected, "Wow. I can see you're … you know, it's amazing." The woman said, "Me with the kids, I'm in Warsaw, actually, because he wanted me to.""Is your husband a soldier?" Trump asked. The woman responded, "He is."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/is-that-a-suit-zelensky-finally-seen-in-formal-attire-at-dinner-with-the-dutch-royals-1750839272322">Is that a suit? Zelensky finally seen in formal attire at dinner with the Dutch royals</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-tried-to-demean-great-work-our-b-2-pilots-did-trump-blasts-bad-and-sick-media-outlets-1750874874034">‘Tried to demean great work our B-2 pilots did’: Trump blasts ‘BAD AND SICK’ media outlets</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump gets emotional as he is asked by a Ukrainian reporter whose husband serves in Ukraine about whether he will supply air defenses to Ukraine. Quite a moment in the press conference. <a href="https://t.co/MPW8dV3j3k">pic.twitter.com/MPW8dV3j3k</a>&mdash; Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) <a href="https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1937882754877718626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"He is there now, wow. That's rough stuff. And you are living here?", "In Warsaw," the woman says."Let me just tell you, they do want to have the anti-missile missile, as we call it. You know, they're very hard to get. We need them too. We were supplying them to Israel, and they're very effective. 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective," Trump tells the reporter.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-zelensky-responds-to-putin-s-threat-to-conquer-all-of-ukraine-1750773057841/embed&nbsp;"That's a very good question. And I wish you a lot of luck. I mean, I can see that it's very upsetting to you. Say hello to your husband, OK," Trump says at the end of the conversation.Trump was quite aggressive towards the other journalists at the conference. His empathetic exchange with the Ukrainian journalist was definitely one of the highlights of the day.Earlier in the day, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit and suggested that an increase in spending by the trans-Atlantic alliance could help prevent future Russian aggression against its other neighbours. Trump has been upset with Putin for not ending the war. Last month, Moscow hit Ukraine with a barrage of 300 drone and missile attacks, which prompted Trump to lash out at him, calling him "crazy."

Donald Trump had a heart-warming exchange with a Ukrainian journalist at the NATO Summit. The US president was visibly moved after she told him that her husband was a soldier and fighting the war against Russia, while she stayed in Warsaw with the kids. 

Donald Trump shared an exchange he had with a Ukrainian journalist whose husband is a soldier and is fighting in the war against Russia. At the NATO Summit, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked the president whether the US would give Ukraine Patriot missiles. She informed him that ever since the war broke out, she has been staying in Warsaw, Poland, with her kids, while her husband is fighting the war against Moscow. This jolted Trump, who said, "That’s rough". At the end of the NATO Summit in The Hague, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked Trump at the press conference, "whether or not the US is ready to sell anti-air missile systems to Ukraine." After Trump pointed at her to ask a question, he asked, "Where are you from?" "I'm from Ukraine," the woman said, and asked about the Patriot missiles, saying that "Russia has been pounding Ukraine really heavily right now." Trump asked the reporter, "Are you living yourself now in Ukraine?" She said, "My husband is there," to which a visibly moved Trump interjected, "Wow. I can see you're … you know, it's amazing." The woman said, "Me with the kids, I'm in Warsaw, actually, because he wanted me to." "Is your husband a soldier?" Trump asked. The woman responded, "He is." Also Read: Is that a suit? Zelensky finally seen in formal attire at dinner with the Dutch royals Also Read: ‘Tried to demean great work our B-2 pilots did’: Trump blasts ‘BAD AND SICK’ media outlets

Donald Trump had a heart-warming exchange with a Ukrainian journalist at the NATO Summit. The US president was visibly moved after she told him that her husband was a soldier and fighting the war against Russia, while she stayed in Warsaw with the kids.&nbsp;

VIDEO: Ukrainian journalist holds back tears as Trump asks her about her soldier husband fighting Russia

The NATO Summit kicks off in the Netherlands, with discussions focusing on several agendas, including the Israel-Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine war and more.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague.&nbsp;President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will hold fresh talks with Iran next week, with a possible nuclear agreement on the table.&nbsp;Click on the headlines for more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/live-updates/world/nato-summit-live-trump-to-meet-zelensky-on-second-day-of-summit-at-the-hague-says-will-discuss-his-difficulties-1750844427117">NATO Summit LIVE: Trump calls PM Modi a 'great friend', again claims credit for ending India-Pakistan war</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750862331244.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="NATO Summit LIVE: Trump calls PM Modi a 'great friend', again claims credit for ending India-Pakistan war"></figure>&nbsp;As the NATO Summit kickstarts in the Netherlands, with discussions focusing on several agendas, including Israel-Iran war, Russia-Ukraine war and more. US President Donald Trump praised the success of recent strikes on Iran's nuclear programme. NATO Chief Mark Rutte urged allies and industries to do more, better and together, stressing on the demand signal NATO is sending to the defence industry.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-putin-is-difficult-trump-says-after-very-nice-meeting-with-zelensky-at-nato-summit-1750863724729">‘Putin is difficult’: Trump says after ‘very nice’ meeting with Zelensky at NATO summit</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750863805648.jpg?rect=(0,2,1196,897)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="‘Putin is difficult’: Trump says after ‘very nice’ meeting with Zelensky at NATO summit"></figure>&nbsp;US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. Following the meeting, which lasted 50 minutes, Trump said, “I wanted to know how he’s doing,” and said the meeting was “very nice” even though they “had little rough times” in the past.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-nuclear-talks-back-on-table-trump-says-washington-tehran-may-sign-an-agreement-next-week-1750863430026">US-Iran nuclear talks back on table? Trump says Washington, Tehran 'may sign an agreement' next week</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750863774627.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="US-Iran nuclear talks back on table? Trump says Washington, Tehran 'may sign an agreement' next week"></figure>&nbsp;President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will hold fresh talks with Iran next week, with a possible nuclear agreement on the table.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-badly-damaged-iran-s-first-admission-of-damage-to-its-nuclear-facilities-in-us-strikes-1750856972488">‘Badly damaged’: Iran's first admission of damage to its nuclear facilities in US strikes</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750857516152.jpg?rect=(0,121,1212,907)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="‘Badly damaged’: Iran's first admission of damage to its nuclear facilities in US strikes"></figure>&nbsp;Iran has finally admitted that its nuclear facilities have in fact been “badly damaged” in the US strikes. Esmail Baghaei, the spokesman of Iran’s foreign ministry, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged.” However, he refused to share any details of the damage or the status of the nuclear facilities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-talks-intensified-says-hamas-as-trump-believes-great-progress-being-made-1750849782429">Gaza ceasefire talks ‘intensified,’ says Hamas as Trump believes ‘great progress being made’</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750849795373.jpg?rect=(0,58,908,682)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Gaza ceasefire talks ‘intensified,’ says Hamas as Trump believes ‘great progress being made’"></figure>&nbsp;A senior Hamas official told AFP on Wednesday (Jun 25) that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group have “intensified in recent hours” with mediator countries. “Our communications with the brother mediators in Egypt and Qatar have not stopped and have intensified in recent hours,” Taher al-Nunu said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-daddy-has-to-sometimes-nato-chief-rutte-reacts-to-trump-calling-israel-iran-two-kids-here-s-what-he-said-1750854170837">'Daddy has to sometimes...': NATO Chief Rutte reacts to Trump calling Israel, Iran 'two kids' - Here's what he said</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750854752232.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'Daddy has to sometimes...': NATO Chief Rutte reacts to Trump calling Israel, Iran 'two kids' - Here's what he said"></figure>&nbsp;NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday reacted to US President Donald Trump's statement, where he called Israel and Iran "two kids in a schoolyard." Rutte made a "daddy" remark on the US president's statement on the sidelines of NATO Summit in The Hague.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-the-us-strike-iran-again-trump-says-it-depends-on-this-one-thing-1750854363174">Will the US strike Iran again? Trump says it depends on THIS one thing</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750854622334.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Will the US strike Iran again? Trump says it depends on THIS one&nbsp;thing"></figure>&nbsp;US President Donald Trump has suggested that further American strikes on Iran are possible if the country resumes work on its nuclear programme. His comments came during the NATO Summit in The Hague on Wednesday (June 25).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-why-does-it-take-28-hours-for-axiom-4-astronauts-reach-space-station-1750865814127">EXPLAINED | Why does it take 28 hours for Axiom-4 astronauts to reach space station?</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750866351520.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="EXPLAINED | Why does it take 28 hours for Axiom-4 astronauts to reach space station?"></figure>&nbsp;Axiom-4 astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, nestled atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, blasted off at 12:01 pm Indian time, 25th June, Wednesday. Barely 13 minutes after liftoff, the SpaceX rocket placed them in orbit around the Earth, and the crew began feeling microgravity-induced weightlessness. However, their journey to the International Space Station would take as much as 28 hours.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750854101328.png?rect=(0,160,960,720)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Diljit Dosanjh got emotional representing Punjab at Met Gala, says Cartier ‘stole’ Maharaja of Patiala’s diamond necklace"></figure>&nbsp;Diljit Dosanjh is now a global star. The actor-singer made heads turn with his maiden appearance at the Met Gala 2025 earlier this year. Dressed like a Maharaja, Diljit’s look was designed by Prabal Gurung and created quite a stir with Diljit making it to best best-dressed list of several fashion pages. Now, over a month later, Diljit has revealed that he always wanted to dress up as a King on the global stage. Diljit also admitted that he had teared up when he first thought of wearing a cape with a map of Punjab on it.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-i-am-not-that-happy-with-my-performance-today-says-neeraj-chopra-after-winning-ostrava-golden-spike-win-1750848450372">'I am not that happy with my performance today', says Neeraj Chopra after winning Ostrava Golden Spike win</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750849000587.jpg?rect=(0,63,992,744)&amp;w=752&amp;h=564&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'I am not that happy with my performance today', says Neeraj Chopra after winning Ostrava Golden Spike win"></figure>&nbsp;Neeraj Chopra might have won the Golden Spike title in his first outing at the meet, but the two-time Olympic champion was not pleased with his throw. Chopra's personal best effort of 85.29m was sufficient to win the event in a nine-man field, at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet on Tuesday (June 24).

Stay updated with our top stories from around the world, offering you a comprehensive overview of today's most impactful news and events.

The NATO Summit kicks off in the Netherlands, with discussions focusing on several agendas, including the Israel-Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine war and more. US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will hold fresh talks with Iran next week, with a possible nuclear agreement on the table. Click on the headlines for more NATO Summit LIVE: Trump calls PM Modi a 'great friend', again claims credit for ending India-Pakistan war As the NATO Summit kickstarts in the Netherlands, with discussions focusing on several agendas, including Israel-Iran war, Russia-Ukraine war and more. US President Donald Trump praised the success of recent strikes on Iran's nuclear programme. NATO Chief Mark Rutte urged allies and industries to do more, better and together, stressing on the demand signal NATO is sending to the defence industry. ‘Putin is difficult’: Trump says after ‘very nice’ meeting with Zelensky at NATO summit US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. Following the meeting, which lasted 50 minutes, Trump said, “I wanted to know how he’s doing,” and said the meeting was “very nice” even though they “had little rough times” in the past. US-Iran nuclear talks back on table? Trump says Washington, Tehran 'may sign an agreement' next week President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will hold fresh talks with Iran next week, with a possible nuclear agreement on the table. ‘Badly damaged’: Iran's first admission of damage to its nuclear facilities in US strikes Iran has finally admitted that its nuclear facilities have in fact been “badly damaged” in the US strikes. Esmail Baghaei, the spokesman of Iran’s foreign ministry, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged.” However, he refused to share any details of the damage or the status of the nuclear facilities. Gaza ceasefire talks ‘intensified,’ says Hamas as Trump believes ‘great progress being made’ A senior Hamas official told AFP on Wednesday (Jun 25) that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group have “intensified in recent hours” with mediator countries. “Our communications with the brother mediators in Egypt and Qatar have not stopped and have intensified in recent hours,” Taher al-Nunu said. 'Daddy has to sometimes...': NATO Chief Rutte reacts to Trump calling Israel, Iran 'two kids' - Here's what he said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday reacted to US President Donald Trump's statement, where he called Israel and Iran "two kids in a schoolyard." Rutte made a "daddy" remark on the US president's statement on the sidelines of NATO Summit in The Hague. Will the US strike Iran again? Trump says it depends on THIS one thing US President Donald Trump has suggested that further American strikes on Iran are possible if the country resumes work on its nuclear programme. His comments came during the NATO Summit in The Hague on Wednesday (June 25). EXPLAINED | Why does it take 28 hours for Axiom-4 astronauts to reach space station? Axiom-4 astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, nestled atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, blasted off at 12:01 pm Indian time, 25th June, Wednesday. Barely 13 minutes after liftoff, the SpaceX rocket placed them in orbit around the Earth, and the crew began feeling microgravity-induced weightlessness. However, their journey to the International Space Station would take as much as 28 hours. Diljit Dosanjh is now a global star. The actor-singer made heads turn with his maiden appearance at the Met Gala 2025 earlier this year. Dressed like a Maharaja, Diljit’s look was designed by Prabal Gurung and created quite a stir with Diljit making it to best best-dressed list of several fashion pages. Now, over a month later, Diljit has revealed that he always wanted to dress up as a King on the global stage. Diljit also admitted that he had teared up when he first thought of wearing a cape with a map of Punjab on it. 'I am not that happy with my performance today', says Neeraj Chopra after winning Ostrava Golden Spike win Neeraj Chopra might have won the Golden Spike title in his first outing at the meet, but the two-time Olympic champion was not pleased with his throw. Chopra's personal best effort of 85.29m was sufficient to win the event in a nine-man field, at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet on Tuesday (June 24).

Stay updated with our top stories from around the world, offering you a comprehensive overview of today's most impactful news and events.

Top 10 world news: NATO Summit updates; Trump-Zelensky meet, and more

The nuclear ‘Doomsday Clock’ is ticking closer to midnight amid ‘commonplace’ talk of World War III, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday while issuing a warning. Lavrov claimed that Russia has been working to avoid a nuclear catastrophe and praised the “common sense” of US President Donald Trump. “Global security is perhaps the most critical issue today—especially as the infamous Doomsday Clock continues to tick toward midnight,” Lavrov said during an address to staff, faculty, and students at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Institute of International Relations, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS.&nbsp;“It is essential to prevent such a scenario, and we are actively engaged in efforts to avert a catastrophe,” he added.&nbsp;He stressed that discussions about the potential outbreak of World War III have become disturbingly routine.&nbsp;Lavrov then targeted leaders of the European Union states and alleged aggression and belligerence in their attitudes.He said, “It’s become almost commonplace to talk about the possibility of World War III. That’s especially alarming given the resurgence of aggressive, belligerent attitudes across Europe. As if two world wars—and countless smaller conflicts over the centuries—weren’t enough for today’s EU leaders.”&nbsp;He, however, emphasised that there were some “positive trends” and praised President Trump for them, and ctiticised the Biden administration’s “neoliberal, hegemonic agenda”.“There are, however, some positive trends. One of them is the emphasis on realism and common sense expressed by the Trump administration, which bases its foreign policy on national interests—both of the United States and of other sovereign nations,” he said.“That’s a key difference from the previous Biden administration, which was entirely consumed by a neoliberal, hegemonic agenda,” Lavrov remarked.&nbsp;Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict between the two nations is still continuing, having entered its fourth year. Ukraine said last week that Russian forces have sustained over 1,010,000 casualties—killed and wounded—since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Lavrov stressed that discussions about the potential outbreak of World War III have become disturbingly routine and then targeted leaders of the European Union states while alleging aggression and belligerence in their attitudes.

The nuclear ‘Doomsday Clock’ is ticking closer to midnight amid ‘commonplace’ talk of World War III, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday while issuing a warning. Lavrov claimed that Russia has been working to avoid a nuclear catastrophe and praised the “common sense” of US President Donald Trump. “Global security is perhaps the most critical issue today—especially as the infamous Doomsday Clock continues to tick toward midnight,” Lavrov said during an address to staff, faculty, and students at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Institute of International Relations, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. “It is essential to prevent such a scenario, and we are actively engaged in efforts to avert a catastrophe,” he added. He stressed that discussions about the potential outbreak of World War III have become disturbingly routine. Lavrov then targeted leaders of the European Union states and alleged aggression and belligerence in their attitudes. He said, “It’s become almost commonplace to talk about the possibility of World War III. That’s especially alarming given the resurgence of aggressive, belligerent attitudes across Europe. As if two world wars—and countless smaller conflicts over the centuries—weren’t enough for today’s EU leaders.” He, however, emphasised that there were some “positive trends” and praised President Trump for them, and ctiticised the Biden administration’s “neoliberal, hegemonic agenda”. “There are, however, some positive trends. One of them is the emphasis on realism and common sense expressed by the Trump administration, which bases its foreign policy on national interests—both of the United States and of other sovereign nations,” he said. “That’s a key difference from the previous Biden administration, which was entirely consumed by a neoliberal, hegemonic agenda,” Lavrov remarked. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict between the two nations is still continuing, having entered its fourth year. Ukraine said last week that Russian forces have sustained over 1,010,000 casualties—killed and wounded—since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Lavrov stressed that discussions about the potential outbreak of World War III have become disturbingly routine and then targeted leaders of the European Union states while alleging aggression and belligerence in their attitudes.

‘Doomsday Clock’ ticking towards midnight, must avert nuclear catastrophe, warns Russia

US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. Following the meeting, which lasted 50 minutes, Trump said, “I wanted to know how he’s doing,” and said the meeting was “very nice” even though they “had little rough times” in the past. He added that he is “hopeful” that the three-year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be resolved. Meanwhile, Zelensky said on social media that he had a “long and substantive” meeting with the US president. The two leaders discussed how to reach a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, he added.&nbsp;“I think he’d like to see an end to this. I do. I think what I took from the meeting couldn’t have been nicer, actually, but I took from the meeting that he’d like to see it end. I think it’s a great time to end it. I’m going to speak to Vladimir Putin see if we can get it ended,” Trump said.&nbsp;After the meeting, Zelensky posted on X, “I had a long and substantive meeting with President Trump. We covered all the truly important issues. I thank Mr. President, I thank the United States. We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer. Details will follow.”&nbsp;The US president said that the “Ukraine war is more difficult, Putin is difficult, and I had some differences with Zelensky.” Likely referring to the infamous White House showdown when the two leaders got involved in a shouting match in the Oval Office, Trump said, “You know, we had a little rough times sometimes, but he couldn’t have been nicer.”&nbsp;Trump also said that Europe taking more responsibility for its security will help in preventing future disasters like the Russia-Ukraine war. “Europe stepping up to take more responsibility for its security will help prevent future disasters like the horrible situation with Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we’re going to get that solved,” he said.&nbsp;When asked about comments from Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could have larger territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Trump said that it was “possible”. He added, “I know one thing he’d like to settle, he’d like to get out of this thing. It’s a mess for him.” &nbsp;

Likely referring to the infamous White House showdown when the two leaders got involved in a shouting match in the Oval Office, Trump said, “You know, we had a little rough times sometimes, but he couldn’t have been nicer.” 

US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Jun 25) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. Following the meeting, which lasted 50 minutes, Trump said, “I wanted to know how he’s doing,” and said the meeting was “very nice” even though they “had little rough times” in the past. He added that he is “hopeful” that the three-year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be resolved. Meanwhile, Zelensky said on social media that he had a “long and substantive” meeting with the US president. The two leaders discussed how to reach a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, he added. “I think he’d like to see an end to this. I do. I think what I took from the meeting couldn’t have been nicer, actually, but I took from the meeting that he’d like to see it end. I think it’s a great time to end it. I’m going to speak to Vladimir Putin see if we can get it ended,” Trump said. After the meeting, Zelensky posted on X, “I had a long and substantive meeting with President Trump. We covered all the truly important issues. I thank Mr. President, I thank the United States. We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer. Details will follow.” The US president said that the “Ukraine war is more difficult, Putin is difficult, and I had some differences with Zelensky.” Likely referring to the infamous White House showdown when the two leaders got involved in a shouting match in the Oval Office, Trump said, “You know, we had a little rough times sometimes, but he couldn’t have been nicer.” Trump also said that Europe taking more responsibility for its security will help in preventing future disasters like the Russia-Ukraine war. “Europe stepping up to take more responsibility for its security will help prevent future disasters like the horrible situation with Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we’re going to get that solved,” he said. When asked about comments from Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could have larger territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Trump said that it was “possible”. He added, “I know one thing he’d like to settle, he’d like to get out of this thing. It’s a mess for him.”

Likely referring to the infamous White House showdown when the two leaders got involved in a shouting match in the Oval Office, Trump said, “You know, we had a little rough times sometimes, but he couldn’t have been nicer.”&nbsp;

‘Putin is difficult’: Trump says after ‘very nice’ meeting with Zelensky at NATO summit

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in a closed-door briefing on Monday (Jun 23) unveiled the details about ‘Operation Spider Web’, which Kyiv launched on June 1. The large-scale special operations targeted five airbases thousands of miles inside the Russian territory in one of the biggest military moves undertaken by Kyiv since the three-year war began in February 2022. Calling it a major breakthrough in the three-year-long war, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk shared new details about the third successful attack on the Crimean Bridge. He described the ‘audacious’ operation as a complex, multi-component project involving over 100 drones.&nbsp;Malyuk revealed that 117 combat drones equipped with unique warheads were used in the secret operation. He said, “We deployed 117 drones, and the results were seen by the entire world. The warhead inside each drone consisted of two components — 800 grams and 800 grams — making a total of 1.6 kilograms of a special shaped-charge high-explosive. We targeted fuel tanks, the side of the aircraft where the missile was located, and avionics — the kind of equipment the enemy has no replacement for.”&nbsp;The operation, which took over a year and a half to prepare, needed meticulous logistics. This involved the covert delivery of autonomous launch “cabins” equipped with solar panels and EcoFlow batteries into the Russian territory. This also included corrupting Russian customs officials to move the sanctioned equipment into the enemy territory across the border.&nbsp;“The time we spent preparing ‘Spider Web’: one year, six months, and nine days. We began in November 2023,” he said. He added that most participants were kept in the dark about the full operation and only a limited number of people were aware of the true scope of the mission, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and one trusted SBU officer.&nbsp;“The people who built the drones didn’t know they were for ‘Spider Web.’ The ones who built the cabins didn’t know they were for aircraft. Those transporting the equipment weren’t aware of the details either... Everyone was responsible for their critical part of the mission,” Malyuk said.&nbsp;He said that he personally assembled the best drone operators from SBU’s Alpha unit, adding, “They arrived at the command centre at 5 am, surrendered their phones, and got to work. Each operator was assigned a specific aircraft and given a terrain mock-up showing elevations, cabin locations, and the drone’s route to the target.” He added, “This is a marker that Ukraine fights with our intelligence. We are capable of unconventional solutions.”&nbsp;In long-range drone operations, at least five airfields in Russia’s Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted. Ukraine has claimed that up to 40 aircraft were damaged or destroyed in the regions holding striking strategic bombers and surveillance aircraft.&nbsp;Malyuk called the operation the beginning of a “new era” and confirmed Ukraine’s third successful strike on the Crimean Bridge. He noted, “We used 1,100 kilograms of explosives — and another 1,100 kilograms. Two strikes against key supports…”&nbsp;Ukraine earlier struck the bridge in 2022 using a truck loaded with 21 tons of explosives. In its second strike in 2023, it used the SBU’s maritime drones known as “Sea Baby”. &nbsp;

Calling it a major breakthrough in the three-year-long war, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk shared new details about the third successful attack on the Crimean Bridge.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in a closed-door briefing on Monday (Jun 23) unveiled the details about ‘Operation Spider Web’, which Kyiv launched on June 1. The large-scale special operations targeted five airbases thousands of miles inside the Russian territory in one of the biggest military moves undertaken by Kyiv since the three-year war began in February 2022. Calling it a major breakthrough in the three-year-long war, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk shared new details about the third successful attack on the Crimean Bridge. He described the ‘audacious’ operation as a complex, multi-component project involving over 100 drones. Malyuk revealed that 117 combat drones equipped with unique warheads were used in the secret operation. He said, “We deployed 117 drones, and the results were seen by the entire world. The warhead inside each drone consisted of two components — 800 grams and 800 grams — making a total of 1.6 kilograms of a special shaped-charge high-explosive. We targeted fuel tanks, the side of the aircraft where the missile was located, and avionics — the kind of equipment the enemy has no replacement for.” The operation, which took over a year and a half to prepare, needed meticulous logistics. This involved the covert delivery of autonomous launch “cabins” equipped with solar panels and EcoFlow batteries into the Russian territory. This also included corrupting Russian customs officials to move the sanctioned equipment into the enemy territory across the border. “The time we spent preparing ‘Spider Web’: one year, six months, and nine days. We began in November 2023,” he said. He added that most participants were kept in the dark about the full operation and only a limited number of people were aware of the true scope of the mission, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and one trusted SBU officer. “The people who built the drones didn’t know they were for ‘Spider Web.’ The ones who built the cabins didn’t know they were for aircraft. Those transporting the equipment weren’t aware of the details either... Everyone was responsible for their critical part of the mission,” Malyuk said. He said that he personally assembled the best drone operators from SBU’s Alpha unit, adding, “They arrived at the command centre at 5 am, surrendered their phones, and got to work. Each operator was assigned a specific aircraft and given a terrain mock-up showing elevations, cabin locations, and the drone’s route to the target.” He added, “This is a marker that Ukraine fights with our intelligence. We are capable of unconventional solutions.” In long-range drone operations, at least five airfields in Russia’s Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted. Ukraine has claimed that up to 40 aircraft were damaged or destroyed in the regions holding striking strategic bombers and surveillance aircraft. Malyuk called the operation the beginning of a “new era” and confirmed Ukraine’s third successful strike on the Crimean Bridge. He noted, “We used 1,100 kilograms of explosives — and another 1,100 kilograms. Two strikes against key supports…” Ukraine earlier struck the bridge in 2022 using a truck loaded with 21 tons of explosives. In its second strike in 2023, it used the SBU’s maritime drones known as “Sea Baby”.

Calling it a major breakthrough in the three-year-long war, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk shared new details about the third successful attack on the Crimean Bridge.

‘117 drones, 2,200 kg of explosives’: Ukraine reveals new details of Operation Spider Web against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday described Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a “coalition of murderers” during a visit to London in which he held talks with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on defence cooperation and also discussed ways to build pressure on Moscow to end the war. Ukraine’s president arrived in the UK on Monday, hours after the Kremlin launched another massive air raid on Kyiv—using 352 drones, half of which were Iranian-designed Shaheds, and North Korean ballistic missiles in what Zelensky called “a completely cynical strike”. As per reports, at least 10 people were killed and five civilian apartment blocks were damaged badly.&nbsp;“A large number of drones and missiles were shot down by our air defenders, but not all,” Zelensky posted on social media. “Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror.” Zelensky has supported Donald Trump’s missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and has accused Tehran of complicity in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons arsenal in the 1990s in exchange for US, British, and Russian security guarantees, but they failed to prevent the 2022 attack. Zelenskyy’s latest trip to the UK was to discuss how to compel Russia to stop its war, Ukrainian officials said.&nbsp;His previous visit in March followed a disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in which Trump accused him of “gambling with World War Three” and the US vice-president, JD Vance, berated him for supposed ingratitude.&nbsp;The discussions on Monday encompassed sanctions and the Trump administration, which has so far refused to punish Russia and has practically ended US weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Ukraine has been attempting to keep Washington onside diplomatically, despite its apparent pivot to Moscow.&nbsp;“We will be negotiating new and powerful steps to increase pressure on Russia for this war and to put an end to the strikes,” Zelensky said. He also met King Charles at Windsor Castle and visited Ukrainian soldiers receiving military training in the UK.

Zelensky said, “Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday described Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a “coalition of murderers” during a visit to London in which he held talks with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on defence cooperation and also discussed ways to build pressure on Moscow to end the war. Ukraine’s president arrived in the UK on Monday, hours after the Kremlin launched another massive air raid on Kyiv—using 352 drones, half of which were Iranian-designed Shaheds, and North Korean ballistic missiles in what Zelensky called “a completely cynical strike”. As per reports, at least 10 people were killed and five civilian apartment blocks were damaged badly. “A large number of drones and missiles were shot down by our air defenders, but not all,” Zelensky posted on social media. “Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror.” Zelensky has supported Donald Trump’s missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and has accused Tehran of complicity in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons arsenal in the 1990s in exchange for US, British, and Russian security guarantees, but they failed to prevent the 2022 attack. Zelenskyy’s latest trip to the UK was to discuss how to compel Russia to stop its war, Ukrainian officials said. His previous visit in March followed a disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in which Trump accused him of “gambling with World War Three” and the US vice-president, JD Vance, berated him for supposed ingratitude. The discussions on Monday encompassed sanctions and the Trump administration, which has so far refused to punish Russia and has practically ended US weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Ukraine has been attempting to keep Washington onside diplomatically, despite its apparent pivot to Moscow. “We will be negotiating new and powerful steps to increase pressure on Russia for this war and to put an end to the strikes,” Zelensky said. He also met King Charles at Windsor Castle and visited Ukrainian soldiers receiving military training in the UK.

Zelensky said, “Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror.”

Russia, Iran, and North Korea a ‘coalition of murderers’, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (Jun 19) said that Russia’s defence of Iranian leaders underscores the need to push for heavy sanctions against Moscow. Zelensky said that the deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions by Russia was evidence that Kyiv’s allies were not applying enough pressure against Putin. “Now Russia is trying to save the Iranian nuclear programme. There cannot be any other possible explanation for their public signals and their non-public activity on this,” he said in a video address.&nbsp;“When one of their accomplices loses their capability to export war, Russia is weakened and tries to interfere. This is so cynical and proves time and again that aggressive regimes cannot be allowed to unite and become partners,” Zelensky added.&nbsp;On Russia deploying weaponry from Tehran and Pyongyang, the Ukrainian president said, “It is a clear sign that global solidarity and global pressure are not strong enough.”&nbsp;Russia has condemned Israeli strikes against Iran and has offered to mediate the conflict. The Russian deputy foreign minister said that Moscow has urged Washington to refrain from direct involvement, according to Reuters. This year, Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran.&nbsp;Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exposed the hypocrisy of Russia. Moscow is defending Iran’s nuclear programme and denouncing Israeli strikes while “ruthlessly” attacking Ukraine, he said.&nbsp;“Tensions in the Middle East show at least two examples of Moscow's hypocrisy. First, Putin desperately tries to save Iran's nuclear weapons production capabilities while posing as a ‘mediator’. Second, Russia condemns strikes in the Middle East while ruthlessly attacking Ukraine. Putin pretends to offer his services in ending a war in the Middle East while refusing to end his own,” Sybiha wrote on X.&nbsp;“The only rational conclusion is that Russia cannot be trusted in any situation, and it is always part of the problem rather than the solution,” he added.&nbsp;Zelensky has accused Putin of refusing diplomatic approaches and rejecting an unconditional ceasefire. In his address, the Ukrainian leader said that he was “very much counting on” US President Donald Trump to consider intensified sanctions and boost diplomatic efforts to end the war, which has been going on for more than three years. However, Trump has ruled out calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow.&nbsp;Zelensky also expressed a willingness to meet Putin. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president said that he was ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in a “final phase” of negotiations. Despite making these remarks, Putin questioned Zelensky's legitimacy.&nbsp; “I am even ready to meet him but only if it is some kind of final phase,” he said at a press conference in Saint Petersburg. He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require preventing fighting from resuming in the “long term”.

Zelensky said that the deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions by Russia was evidence that Kyiv’s allies were not applying enough pressure against Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (Jun 19) said that Russia’s defence of Iranian leaders underscores the need to push for heavy sanctions against Moscow. Zelensky said that the deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions by Russia was evidence that Kyiv’s allies were not applying enough pressure against Putin. “Now Russia is trying to save the Iranian nuclear programme. There cannot be any other possible explanation for their public signals and their non-public activity on this,” he said in a video address. “When one of their accomplices loses their capability to export war, Russia is weakened and tries to interfere. This is so cynical and proves time and again that aggressive regimes cannot be allowed to unite and become partners,” Zelensky added. On Russia deploying weaponry from Tehran and Pyongyang, the Ukrainian president said, “It is a clear sign that global solidarity and global pressure are not strong enough.” Russia has condemned Israeli strikes against Iran and has offered to mediate the conflict. The Russian deputy foreign minister said that Moscow has urged Washington to refrain from direct involvement, according to Reuters. This year, Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exposed the hypocrisy of Russia. Moscow is defending Iran’s nuclear programme and denouncing Israeli strikes while “ruthlessly” attacking Ukraine, he said. “Tensions in the Middle East show at least two examples of Moscow's hypocrisy. First, Putin desperately tries to save Iran's nuclear weapons production capabilities while posing as a ‘mediator’. Second, Russia condemns strikes in the Middle East while ruthlessly attacking Ukraine. Putin pretends to offer his services in ending a war in the Middle East while refusing to end his own,” Sybiha wrote on X. “The only rational conclusion is that Russia cannot be trusted in any situation, and it is always part of the problem rather than the solution,” he added. Zelensky has accused Putin of refusing diplomatic approaches and rejecting an unconditional ceasefire. In his address, the Ukrainian leader said that he was “very much counting on” US President Donald Trump to consider intensified sanctions and boost diplomatic efforts to end the war, which has been going on for more than three years. However, Trump has ruled out calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow. Zelensky also expressed a willingness to meet Putin. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president said that he was ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in a “final phase” of negotiations. Despite making these remarks, Putin questioned Zelensky's legitimacy. “I am even ready to meet him but only if it is some kind of final phase,” he said at a press conference in Saint Petersburg. He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require preventing fighting from resuming in the “long term”.

Zelensky said that the deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions by Russia was evidence that Kyiv’s allies were not applying enough pressure against Putin.

‘Global pressure not strong enough’: Zelensky pushes for intensified sanctions on Russia over Iran’s defence

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (Jun 19) said that he was ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in a “final phase” of negotiations. Despite making these remarks, Putin questioned Zelensky's legitimacy.&nbsp;“I am even ready to meet him but only if it is some kind of final phase,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) at the Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, in Saint Petersburg.&nbsp;He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require to prevent fighting from resuming in the “long term”.&nbsp;“We need to find a solution that would not only put an end to the current conflict, but also create conditions that would prevent similar situations from recurring in the long term,” Putin told reporters.&nbsp;Putin said that Russian troops had the “strategic advantage” in Ukraine and were constantly pushing forward on the battlefield.&nbsp;“Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. Every day, more or less, but every day they go forward. And the advance will continue,” Putin said.&nbsp;The Russian president also talked about Germany sending long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying the move would “completely” ruin bilateral relations. He added that it would have no impact on the course of Moscow's offensive.&nbsp;“Everyone knows that if this happens, it will not affect the course of the fighting. That is out of the question. But it will completely ruin our relations,” Putin said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require to prevent fighting from resuming in the long term.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (Jun 19) said that he was ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, but only in a “final phase” of negotiations. Despite making these remarks, Putin questioned Zelensky's legitimacy. “I am even ready to meet him but only if it is some kind of final phase,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) at the Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, in Saint Petersburg. He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require to prevent fighting from resuming in the “long term”. “We need to find a solution that would not only put an end to the current conflict, but also create conditions that would prevent similar situations from recurring in the long term,” Putin told reporters. Putin said that Russian troops had the “strategic advantage” in Ukraine and were constantly pushing forward on the battlefield. “Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. Every day, more or less, but every day they go forward. And the advance will continue,” Putin said. The Russian president also talked about Germany sending long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying the move would “completely” ruin bilateral relations. He added that it would have no impact on the course of Moscow's offensive. “Everyone knows that if this happens, it will not affect the course of the fighting. That is out of the question. But it will completely ruin our relations,” Putin said.

He added that any settlement to end the Ukraine conflict would require to prevent fighting from resuming in the long term.

‘We need to find a solution’: Putin says ready to meet Zelensky but only in ‘final phase’ of talks

US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to mediate in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday (June 18), Trump said he urged Putin to focus on his own country’s actions before getting involved elsewhere.“He actually offered to help mediate, I said ‘Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let’s mediate Russia first, okay?’” Trump said, adding, “I said ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first, you can worry about this later.’”<h2>Trump had earlier said he was open to Putin’s help</h2>Trump’s comments come just days after he suggested he was open to the idea of Putin mediating between the two countries. On Sunday, he told ABC reporter Rachel Scott, “Yeah, I would be open to it. He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved.”<h2>Russia says Israel not ready for peace talks</h2>Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reiterated Russia’s willingness to mediate. Speaking at a briefing, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “President Putin has said that Russia is ready to provide mediation services if necessary.”But he added that Israel seemed unwilling to accept outside help. “At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement,” Peskov said.<h2>Israel-Iran war intensifies, enters sixth day</h2>The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with both sides continuing to exchange heavy fire. The Israeli military said it had struck a centrifuge facility in Tehran overnight, a site linked to uranium enrichment.According to the UN’s nuclear watchdog, two centrifuge production facilities in Karaj, near Tehran, were destroyed in the attacks.Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, which can be utilised for nuclear energy or weapons, depending on the level of refinement.Since the war began last week, at least 224 people have died in Iran and 24 people in Israel, according to official figures.

Trump’s comments come just days after he suggested he was open to the idea of Putin mediating between the two countries. 

US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to mediate in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday (June 18), Trump said he urged Putin to focus on his own country’s actions before getting involved elsewhere. “He actually offered to help mediate, I said ‘Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let’s mediate Russia first, okay?’” Trump said, adding, “I said ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first, you can worry about this later.’” Trump had earlier said he was open to Putin’s help Trump’s comments come just days after he suggested he was open to the idea of Putin mediating between the two countries. On Sunday, he told ABC reporter Rachel Scott, “Yeah, I would be open to it. He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved.” Russia says Israel not ready for peace talks Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reiterated Russia’s willingness to mediate. Speaking at a briefing, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “President Putin has said that Russia is ready to provide mediation services if necessary.” But he added that Israel seemed unwilling to accept outside help. “At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement,” Peskov said. Israel-Iran war intensifies, enters sixth day The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with both sides continuing to exchange heavy fire. The Israeli military said it had struck a centrifuge facility in Tehran overnight, a site linked to uranium enrichment. According to the UN’s nuclear watchdog, two centrifuge production facilities in Karaj, near Tehran, were destroyed in the attacks. Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, which can be utilised for nuclear energy or weapons, depending on the level of refinement. Since the war began last week, at least 224 people have died in Iran and 24 people in Israel, according to official figures.

Trump’s comments come just days after he suggested he was open to the idea of Putin mediating between the two countries.&nbsp;

‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first’: Trump shuts down Putin’s offer to mediate Israel-Iran war

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the G7 was no longer significant for Russia and looked “rather useless” now, while latching onto the assertion of US President Donald Trump that it had been a big mistake to expel Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014.Trump said at a Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday that the G8 had been wrong to kick out Russia in 2014 after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine.&nbsp;Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, “We agree with President Trump: it was a big mistake then to exclude Russia from the G8 format.”He further said the G7 had “lost practical significance” for Russia, given the state of world affairs.“Given the declining share of the G7 countries in the global economy, given all the trends that are observed in the G7 countries and, of course, against the background of, for example, such formats as the G20, the G7 looks dull and rather useless,” Peskov said.&nbsp;“This was a big mistake,” Trump had said on Monday, adding that he believed Russia would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Putin not been ejected from the high-profile group of nations.&nbsp;“Putin speaks to me. He doesn’t speak to anybody else ... he’s not a happy person about it,” Trump said.&nbsp;Russia was part of the “group of eight” (G8), an intergovernmental political forum, up until 2014, when it was expelled for annexing the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.G7 used to be the G8, before Russia was ousted from the group by former US President Barack Obama and other world leaders in 2014.Trump said Vladimir Putin “was very insulted” by the move.&nbsp;By terming the G7 useless, the Kremlin has already undermined any resolutions, criticism, or sanctions the leaders decide to impose on Russia due to its ongoing war with Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, “We agree with President Trump: it was a big mistake then to exclude Russia from the G8 format.” He further said the G7 had “lost practical significance” for Russia, given the state of world affairs.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the G7 was no longer significant for Russia and looked “rather useless” now, while latching onto the assertion of US President Donald Trump that it had been a big mistake to expel Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014. Trump said at a Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday that the G8 had been wrong to kick out Russia in 2014 after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, “We agree with President Trump: it was a big mistake then to exclude Russia from the G8 format.” He further said the G7 had “lost practical significance” for Russia, given the state of world affairs. “Given the declining share of the G7 countries in the global economy, given all the trends that are observed in the G7 countries and, of course, against the background of, for example, such formats as the G20, the G7 looks dull and rather useless,” Peskov said. “This was a big mistake,” Trump had said on Monday, adding that he believed Russia would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Putin not been ejected from the high-profile group of nations. “Putin speaks to me. He doesn’t speak to anybody else ... he’s not a happy person about it,” Trump said. Russia was part of the “group of eight” (G8), an intergovernmental political forum, up until 2014, when it was expelled for annexing the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. G7 used to be the G8, before Russia was ousted from the group by former US President Barack Obama and other world leaders in 2014. Trump said Vladimir Putin “was very insulted” by the move. By terming the G7 useless, the Kremlin has already undermined any resolutions, criticism, or sanctions the leaders decide to impose on Russia due to its ongoing war with Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, “We agree with President Trump: it was a big mistake then to exclude Russia from the G8 format.” He further said the G7 had “lost practical significance” for Russia, given the state of world affairs.

G7 ‘useless’ now, says Kremlin, concurs with Trump’s claim that kicking out Russia was a mistake

Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting dozens of civilian targets in Kyiv including a large apartment block, killing at least 15 people and wounding scores, Ukrainian officials said. &nbsp;President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian forces sent more than 440 drones and 32 missiles at Ukraine. He described the destruction in Kyiv as among the "most horrific" in the capital of the war. &nbsp;"Such attacks are pure terrorism. The whole world, the United States, and Europe must finally respond as a civilized society responds to terrorists. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does this solely because he can afford to continue the war." &nbsp;About 27 locations in the capital were hit during several waves of attacks throughout the night, and residential buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure facilities were damaged, officials said. A ballistic missile struck a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district, wiping out a whole section of it, which was flattened into a pile of debris. &nbsp;Emergency workers were combing through the rubble and dousing the flames with hoses. They used a crane to lower a wounded elderly woman in a stretcher out of the window of a flat in an adjacent section of the building. &nbsp;"I have never seen anything like this before. It is simply horrific. When they started pulling people out, and everyone was cut up, elderly people and children... I do not know how long they can continue to torment us, ordinary people," said Viktoriia Vovchenko, 57, who lives nearby. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said 14 people were killed in Kyiv and one more in Odesa in southern Ukraine. Nearly a hundred people were injured in the capital and the nearby region, Odesa, and Chernihiv in the north, officials said. &nbsp;Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the dead in the capital included a 62-year-old U.S. citizen, who died from shrapnel wounds.Ukraine has also launched drones deep into Russia, although its attacks have not caused similar damage to civilian targets. Russia's Defence Ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed 147 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including the Moscow region, overnight. &nbsp;Russia's full-scale invasion is now in its fourth year, and the hostilities have heated up in recent weeks as Kyiv and Moscow failed to reach any agreement during two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. &nbsp;Russian troops are pressing on with a grinding advance in eastern Ukraine and have opened a new front in the Sumy region in the northeast, despite calls for a ceasefire from U.S. President Donald Trump, who promised to end the war quickly. &nbsp;Zelenskiy was in Canada to attend the Group of Seven summit, hoping to gather more support for tighter sanctions against Russia and continued military aid for Ukraine. &nbsp;He had also hoped to meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss weapons purchases, but Trump left the G7 summit a day early due to the situation in the Middle East, the White House said.&nbsp;Trump has reoriented U.S. policy away from supporting Kyiv towards accepting Moscow's justifications for its invasion, and has so far resisted calls from European allies to impose tighter sanctions of Moscow for rejecting his calls for a ceasefire.At the summit, Trump called for the G7 to readmit Russia, which was expelled in 2014 after an earlier attack on Ukraine. &nbsp;

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian forces sent more than 440 drones and 32 missiles at Ukraine. He described the destruction in Kyiv as among the "most horrific" in the capital of the war.


Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting dozens of civilian targets in Kyiv including a large apartment block, killing at least 15 people and wounding scores, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian forces sent more than 440 drones and 32 missiles at Ukraine. He described the destruction in Kyiv as among the "most horrific" in the capital of the war. "Such attacks are pure terrorism. The whole world, the United States, and Europe must finally respond as a civilized society responds to terrorists. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does this solely because he can afford to continue the war." About 27 locations in the capital were hit during several waves of attacks throughout the night, and residential buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure facilities were damaged, officials said. A ballistic missile struck a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district, wiping out a whole section of it, which was flattened into a pile of debris. Emergency workers were combing through the rubble and dousing the flames with hoses. They used a crane to lower a wounded elderly woman in a stretcher out of the window of a flat in an adjacent section of the building. "I have never seen anything like this before. It is simply horrific. When they started pulling people out, and everyone was cut up, elderly people and children... I do not know how long they can continue to torment us, ordinary people," said Viktoriia Vovchenko, 57, who lives nearby. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said 14 people were killed in Kyiv and one more in Odesa in southern Ukraine. Nearly a hundred people were injured in the capital and the nearby region, Odesa, and Chernihiv in the north, officials said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the dead in the capital included a 62-year-old U.S. citizen, who died from shrapnel wounds. Ukraine has also launched drones deep into Russia, although its attacks have not caused similar damage to civilian targets. Russia's Defence Ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed 147 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including the Moscow region, overnight. Russia's full-scale invasion is now in its fourth year, and the hostilities have heated up in recent weeks as Kyiv and Moscow failed to reach any agreement during two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. Russian troops are pressing on with a grinding advance in eastern Ukraine and have opened a new front in the Sumy region in the northeast, despite calls for a ceasefire from U.S. President Donald Trump, who promised to end the war quickly. Zelenskiy was in Canada to attend the Group of Seven summit, hoping to gather more support for tighter sanctions against Russia and continued military aid for Ukraine. He had also hoped to meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss weapons purchases, but Trump left the G7 summit a day early due to the situation in the Middle East, the White House said. Trump has reoriented U.S. policy away from supporting Kyiv towards accepting Moscow's justifications for its invasion, and has so far resisted calls from European allies to impose tighter sanctions of Moscow for rejecting his calls for a ceasefire. At the summit, Trump called for the G7 to readmit Russia, which was expelled in 2014 after an earlier attack on Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian forces sent more than 440 drones and 32 missiles at Ukraine. He described the destruction in Kyiv as among the "most horrific" in the capital of the war. &nbsp;

Russian missile and drone attack kills at least 15 in Kyiv, other cities

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday that Moscow was ready to hold a fresh round of peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once the sides complete exchanging prisoners and soldiers' bodies.&nbsp;Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile did not mention whether Ukraine would agree to the next round of talks, only saying that "the exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step."&nbsp;Putin and Trump held a call for the fifth time since the Republican took office and sought to reset relations with Moscow, in a stark pivot from the approach of his predecessor Joe Biden's administration.&nbsp;Trump's approach has stunned Washington's allies, raising doubts about the future of US aid to Kyiv and leaving Europe scrambling to work out how it can fill any gap in supplies if Trump decides to pull US military, financial and intelligence support.&nbsp;"Both leaders expressed satisfaction with their personal relations" during the call, in which they also discussed the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Kremlin said.&nbsp;It added that the presidents "communicate in a businesslike manner and seek solutions to pressing issues on the bilateral and international agenda, no matter how complex these issues may be".&nbsp;<h2>'Happy birthday' call</h2> Trump posted on Truth Social to say Putin had called "to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday" on the day he turned 79, but that "more importantly" the two discussed the Iran-Israel crisis.&nbsp;"He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end," Trump said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.&nbsp;Zelensky urged the United States to "shift tone" in its dialogue with Russia, saying it was "too warm" and would not help to end the fighting.&nbsp;"Any signals of reduced aid, or of treating Ukraine and Russia as equals, are deeply unfair. Russia is the aggressor. They started this war. They do not want to end it," the Ukrainian President said on X.&nbsp;The recent escalation sparked fears Washington might relocate resources at its expense, to beef up the defence of its close ally Israel which unleashed a large-scale attack on Iran Friday.&nbsp;"We would like to see aid to Ukraine not decrease because of this," he said. "Last time, this was a factor that slowed down aid to Ukraine."&nbsp;<h2>More soldiers exchanged</h2> Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine and Russia swapped prisoners in the fourth such exchange this week, part of a large-scale plan to bring back 1,000 wounded prisoners from each side and return bodies of killed soldiers.&nbsp;The prisoner agreement was the only visible result of two recent rounds of talks in Istanbul.Photos published by Zelensky on Telegram showed men of various ages, mostly with shaved heads, wearing camouflage and draped in Ukrainian flags.&nbsp;Some were injured, others disembarked from buses and hugged those welcoming them, or were seen calling someone by phone, sometimes covering their faces or smiling.&nbsp;Moscow's defence ministry released its own video showing men in uniforms holding Russian flags, clapping and chanting "Glory to Russia" and "hooray", some raising their fists in the air.&nbsp;As part of the Istanbul agreements, Kyiv also said it had received another 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia.&nbsp;It said Moscow had said they were those of "Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel." Ukraine did not say whether it returned any bodies to Russia.&nbsp;Russia has rejected calls to halt its three-year offensive. It has demanded Ukraine cede territory and renounce Western military support if it wants peace.&nbsp;Since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the assault has forced millions of people to flee their homes as towns and cities across eastern Ukraine have been flattened by heavy bombardments.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Russia intensified its advances along the front line, especially on the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, where it seeks to establish a "buffer zone".&nbsp;By doing it, Moscow seeks to protect its bordering region of Kursk, previously partly occupied by Ukraine.&nbsp;Zelensky said Russia's advance on Sumy was stopped and that Kyiv's forces had managed to retake one village.&nbsp;He also denied Moscow's earlier claims that its troops entered the Dnipropetrovsk region. He said 53,000 Russian soldiers were involved in the Sumy operation.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile did not mention whether Ukraine would agree to the next round of talks, only saying that "the exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step."

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday that Moscow was ready to hold a fresh round of peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once the sides complete exchanging prisoners and soldiers' bodies. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile did not mention whether Ukraine would agree to the next round of talks, only saying that "the exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step." Putin and Trump held a call for the fifth time since the Republican took office and sought to reset relations with Moscow, in a stark pivot from the approach of his predecessor Joe Biden's administration. Trump's approach has stunned Washington's allies, raising doubts about the future of US aid to Kyiv and leaving Europe scrambling to work out how it can fill any gap in supplies if Trump decides to pull US military, financial and intelligence support. "Both leaders expressed satisfaction with their personal relations" during the call, in which they also discussed the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Kremlin said. It added that the presidents "communicate in a businesslike manner and seek solutions to pressing issues on the bilateral and international agenda, no matter how complex these issues may be". 'Happy birthday' call Trump posted on Truth Social to say Putin had called "to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday" on the day he turned 79, but that "more importantly" the two discussed the Iran-Israel crisis. "He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end," Trump said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelensky urged the United States to "shift tone" in its dialogue with Russia, saying it was "too warm" and would not help to end the fighting. "Any signals of reduced aid, or of treating Ukraine and Russia as equals, are deeply unfair. Russia is the aggressor. They started this war. They do not want to end it," the Ukrainian President said on X. The recent escalation sparked fears Washington might relocate resources at its expense, to beef up the defence of its close ally Israel which unleashed a large-scale attack on Iran Friday. "We would like to see aid to Ukraine not decrease because of this," he said. "Last time, this was a factor that slowed down aid to Ukraine." More soldiers exchanged Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine and Russia swapped prisoners in the fourth such exchange this week, part of a large-scale plan to bring back 1,000 wounded prisoners from each side and return bodies of killed soldiers. The prisoner agreement was the only visible result of two recent rounds of talks in Istanbul. Photos published by Zelensky on Telegram showed men of various ages, mostly with shaved heads, wearing camouflage and draped in Ukrainian flags. Some were injured, others disembarked from buses and hugged those welcoming them, or were seen calling someone by phone, sometimes covering their faces or smiling. Moscow's defence ministry released its own video showing men in uniforms holding Russian flags, clapping and chanting "Glory to Russia" and "hooray", some raising their fists in the air. As part of the Istanbul agreements, Kyiv also said it had received another 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia. It said Moscow had said they were those of "Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel." Ukraine did not say whether it returned any bodies to Russia. Russia has rejected calls to halt its three-year offensive. It has demanded Ukraine cede territory and renounce Western military support if it wants peace. Since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the assault has forced millions of people to flee their homes as towns and cities across eastern Ukraine have been flattened by heavy bombardments. Meanwhile, Russia intensified its advances along the front line, especially on the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, where it seeks to establish a "buffer zone". By doing it, Moscow seeks to protect its bordering region of Kursk, previously partly occupied by Ukraine. Zelensky said Russia's advance on Sumy was stopped and that Kyiv's forces had managed to retake one village. He also denied Moscow's earlier claims that its troops entered the Dnipropetrovsk region. He said 53,000 Russian soldiers were involved in the Sumy operation.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile did not mention whether Ukraine would agree to the next round of talks, only saying that "the exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step."

Russia ready for next round of talks on Ukraine: Putin tells Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to change its tone in dealings with Russia, saying that appearing too soft towards Moscow will not stop President Vladimir Putin.“Right now, the tone of the US–Russia dialogue feels too warm,” Zelensky said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s be honest: that won’t stop Putin. What’s needed is a shift in tone,” he said.He added that it’s essential for Washington to make it clear that it will continue to stand with Ukraine by maintaining sanctions and supporting its army.<h2>Zelensky says appeasement will only encourage more aggression</h2>Zelensky warned against sending mixed signals about Western support, arguing that portraying Russia and Ukraine as equals is “deeply unfair.”“Russia is the aggressor. They started this war. They do not want to end it. That’s why the world must send a clear message: if Putin refuses to end the war, the strongest possible sanctions will follow,” he said.He stressed that financial pressure on Russia is one of the few effective tools the West has, noting that Putin can only expand the military if he has the money to do so.<h2>Sanctions critical to stopping Russia’s war machine</h2>Zelensky emphasised that sanctions, especially those targeting Russia’s banking system, shadow oil fleet, and energy revenues, are vital.“Capping the price of Russian energy is critical, because oil is their main source of income. What happens in the Middle East is now driving oil prices up, and that, in turn, affects Europe’s security. That’s why oil price caps are such a powerful tool,” he explained.He also pointed out that sanctions are not only about cutting off funds, but about preventing access to missile and weapon components, which Russia uses to manufacture arms at scale.<h2>Zelensky warns Russia is determined to prolong the war</h2>According to Zelensky, propaganda has radicalised Russian society, fuelling hostility towards NATO and the West.“Russia can’t just be stopped with words. It’s like a high-speed train with no one at the wheel,” he said, adding that Moscow has significantly increased spending on its defence sector, unofficial estimates place it at $300 billion annually.<h2>Ukraine recovers more bodies and swaps prisoners with Russia</h2>Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that it had received 1,200 more bodies from Russia under a previous exchange deal.“Ukraine received another 1,200 bodies, which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel,” Kyiv’s coordination centre for prisoners of war confirmed on social media.Additionally, Ukraine and Russia completed another prisoner exchange under arrangements made earlier this month in Istanbul.“This is the fourth exchange in a week,” Zelensky wrote. Russia’s defence ministry also said its troops had been returned under the deal.

Zelensky warned against sending mixed signals about Western support, arguing that portraying Russia and Ukraine as equals is “deeply unfair.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to change its tone in dealings with Russia, saying that appearing too soft towards Moscow will not stop President Vladimir Putin. “Right now, the tone of the US–Russia dialogue feels too warm,” Zelensky said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s be honest: that won’t stop Putin. What’s needed is a shift in tone,” he said. He added that it’s essential for Washington to make it clear that it will continue to stand with Ukraine by maintaining sanctions and supporting its army. Zelensky says appeasement will only encourage more aggression Zelensky warned against sending mixed signals about Western support, arguing that portraying Russia and Ukraine as equals is “deeply unfair.” “Russia is the aggressor. They started this war. They do not want to end it. That’s why the world must send a clear message: if Putin refuses to end the war, the strongest possible sanctions will follow,” he said. He stressed that financial pressure on Russia is one of the few effective tools the West has, noting that Putin can only expand the military if he has the money to do so. Sanctions critical to stopping Russia’s war machine Zelensky emphasised that sanctions, especially those targeting Russia’s banking system, shadow oil fleet, and energy revenues, are vital. “Capping the price of Russian energy is critical, because oil is their main source of income. What happens in the Middle East is now driving oil prices up, and that, in turn, affects Europe’s security. That’s why oil price caps are such a powerful tool,” he explained. He also pointed out that sanctions are not only about cutting off funds, but about preventing access to missile and weapon components, which Russia uses to manufacture arms at scale. Zelensky warns Russia is determined to prolong the war According to Zelensky, propaganda has radicalised Russian society, fuelling hostility towards NATO and the West. “Russia can’t just be stopped with words. It’s like a high-speed train with no one at the wheel,” he said, adding that Moscow has significantly increased spending on its defence sector, unofficial estimates place it at $300 billion annually. Ukraine recovers more bodies and swaps prisoners with Russia Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that it had received 1,200 more bodies from Russia under a previous exchange deal. “Ukraine received another 1,200 bodies, which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel,” Kyiv’s coordination centre for prisoners of war confirmed on social media. Additionally, Ukraine and Russia completed another prisoner exchange under arrangements made earlier this month in Istanbul. “This is the fourth exchange in a week,” Zelensky wrote. Russia’s defence ministry also said its troops had been returned under the deal.

Zelensky warned against sending mixed signals about Western support, arguing that portraying Russia and Ukraine as equals is “deeply unfair.”

‘Russia can’t be stopped with words’: Zelensky wants Trump to get tougher on Putin, warns appeasement won’t end war

Ukraine’s internal security agency, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), has released a new video with more details of its mass drone strikes on Russia’s strategic aviation assets under Operation Spider Web earlier this month. &nbsp;The Operation Spider Web, carried out on June 1, involved 117 drones that were hidden in trucks across Russia and deployed against four air bases thousands of kilometres away from the Ukrainian border.The SBU claimed the strikes damaged 41 aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, A-50 spy planes, and An-12 and Il-78 transport aircraft, causing net damage of over $7 billion.The video published by SBU shows details of the strikes across four airfields in retaliation for Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) published a new video detailing Operation Spider Web, which struck 41 Russian aircraft across four airfields in retaliation for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk: “We strike where the enemy feels safe… <a href="https://t.co/rtBTnYpviE">pic.twitter.com/rtBTnYpviE</a>&mdash; Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1932691115003555967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>‘We strike where the enemy feels safe’</h2>&nbsp;SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk said, “We strike where the enemy feels safe—and more painful surprises are coming.”&nbsp;The footage shows preparations taking place in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, not far from a Federal Security Service (FSB) office, according to the SBU.The trucks then drove to the cities of Ivanovo, Ryazan, and in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, and Amur oblasts. At the time of the attack, the cabins opened remotely allowing the drones to strike Russian planes at the Belaya, Olenya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo air bases.&nbsp;The operation was also planned to strike the air base in Ukrainka in Amur Oblast, but it failed. &nbsp;The drones used in the strike were specially designed by SBU specialists, and their unique features allowed them to be remotely controlled from thousands of kilometres away, an SBU source told the Kyiv Independent.&nbsp;<h2>‘Working on new surprises, no less painful’</h2>&nbsp;SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, who personally oversaw the operation, stressed that Ukrainian drones targeted “absolutely legitimate targets—military airfields and aircraft that attack our peaceful cities.”“The SBU is hitting and will hit (Russia) where it considers itself unreachable,” Maliuk said in a statement.“We are working on new surprises, no less painful than the Operation Spider Web.”&nbsp;The attack was lauded by even Western partners, with NATO Admiral Pierre Vandier calling it a reinvention of the “Trojan Horse” method with “technical and industrial creativity.”Satellite imagery released after the attack showed around a dozen destroyed planes. NATO estimates that between 10 and 13 Russian planes were completely destroyed, and more were damaged.&nbsp;President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that roughly half of the 41 targeted planes have been damaged beyond repair. Russia acknowledged damage to its aircraft but claimed all of them will be “restored”.&nbsp;

SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, who personally oversaw the operation, stressed that Ukrainian drones targeted “absolutely legitimate targets—military airfields and aircraft that attack our peaceful cities.”

Ukraine’s internal security agency, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), has released a new video with more details of its mass drone strikes on Russia’s strategic aviation assets under Operation Spider Web earlier this month. The Operation Spider Web, carried out on June 1, involved 117 drones that were hidden in trucks across Russia and deployed against four air bases thousands of kilometres away from the Ukrainian border. The SBU claimed the strikes damaged 41 aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, A-50 spy planes, and An-12 and Il-78 transport aircraft, causing net damage of over $7 billion. The video published by SBU shows details of the strikes across four airfields in retaliation for Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, who personally oversaw the operation, stressed that Ukrainian drones targeted “absolutely legitimate targets—military airfields and aircraft that attack our peaceful cities.”

Ukraine’s SBU releases fresh video of Operation Spider Web, says ‘more painful surprises’ coming

Russia and Ukraine said Tuesday they had exchanged captured soldiers, the second stage of an agreement struck at peace talks last week for each side to free more than 1,000 prisoners.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday's exchange saw "the return of our injured and severely wounded warriors from Russian captivity."&nbsp;Neither side said how many soldiers had been freed in the swap -- the second in as many days following another exchange on Monday.&nbsp;The two sides had agreed in Istanbul last week to release all wounded soldiers and all under the age of 25.&nbsp;Russia's defence ministry said: "In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, the second group of Russian servicemen was returned."&nbsp;Zelensky said further exchanges would follow.&nbsp;"The exchanges are to continue. We are doing everything we can to find and return every single person who is in captivity."The agreement had appeared in jeopardy over the weekend, with both sides trading accusations of attempting to thwart the exchange.&nbsp;Russia says Ukraine has still not agreed to collect the bodies of killed soldiers, after Moscow said more than 1,200 corpses were waiting in refrigerated trucks near the border.&nbsp;Russia said it had agreed to hand over the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers, while Kyiv said it would be an "exchange".&nbsp;Moscow and Kyiv have carried out dozens of prisoner exchanges since Russia invaded in 2022, triggering Europe's largest conflict since World War II.

Neither side said how many soldiers had been freed in the swap -- the second in as many days following another exchange on Monday.

Russia and Ukraine said Tuesday they had exchanged captured soldiers, the second stage of an agreement struck at peace talks last week for each side to free more than 1,000 prisoners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday's exchange saw "the return of our injured and severely wounded warriors from Russian captivity." Neither side said how many soldiers had been freed in the swap -- the second in as many days following another exchange on Monday. The two sides had agreed in Istanbul last week to release all wounded soldiers and all under the age of 25. Russia's defence ministry said: "In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, the second group of Russian servicemen was returned." Zelensky said further exchanges would follow. "The exchanges are to continue. We are doing everything we can to find and return every single person who is in captivity." The agreement had appeared in jeopardy over the weekend, with both sides trading accusations of attempting to thwart the exchange. Russia says Ukraine has still not agreed to collect the bodies of killed soldiers, after Moscow said more than 1,200 corpses were waiting in refrigerated trucks near the border. Russia said it had agreed to hand over the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers, while Kyiv said it would be an "exchange". Moscow and Kyiv have carried out dozens of prisoner exchanges since Russia invaded in 2022, triggering Europe's largest conflict since World War II.

Neither side said how many soldiers had been freed in the swap -- the second in as many days following another exchange on Monday.

Russia, Ukraine conclude second round of prisoner swap

Russia launched ‘massive’ drone strikes on Ukraine's capital city Kyiv and port city Odesa in the early hours of Tuesday (June 10), killing one and also hitting a maternity ward, Ukrainian authorities said , issuing a call for additional sanctions.&nbsp;Moscow has kept up its strikes against Ukraine, which has retaliated with attacks deep within Russian borders, while peace negotiations held over the weekend fell short of making a breakthrough toward stopping the three-year war.&nbsp;Other than a deal to swap prisoners, efforts have been at a standstill and Russia has consistently dismissed demands for a unilateral ceasefire.&nbsp;"Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power," Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. &nbsp;A 59-year-old man was killed during the Russian attacks on residential housing in Odesa, and at least four others were injured, governor Oleg Kiper said.&nbsp;"The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires," Kiper wrote on Telegram.&nbsp;"The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings," he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3:00 am (0000 GMT) that "a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital".&nbsp;Multiple casualties were reported during the attacks that struck at least seven districts, with cars and buildings on fire.<h3>Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners of war</h3>Russia and Ukraine swapped prisoners of war under the age of 25, confirmed Russia’s Defence Ministry on Monday, stating the exchange was the result of direct talks held between representatives of Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in Turkey. “On June 9, in accordance with the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine on June 2, the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was brought home from the area controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, a similar number of Ukrainian POWs was transferred,” the ministry said.&nbsp;The talks held on June 2 in Istanbul led to an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv for exchange of at least 1,200 POWs on each side, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded, and to repatriate thousands of bodies of those killed in the war, which is now in its fourth year.&nbsp;The exchange, the biggest so far, was expected to happen in phases. The Russian Defence Ministry did not say in its statement how many POWs were exchanged on Monday, but confirmed that both sides had swapped the same number of military personnel.

Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv, maternity hospital in Odesa; kills one, several injured: Ukraine

Russia launched ‘massive’ drone strikes on Ukraine's capital city Kyiv and port city Odesa in the early hours of Tuesday (June 10), killing one and also hitting a maternity ward, Ukrainian authorities said , issuing a call for additional sanctions. Moscow has kept up its strikes against Ukraine, which has retaliated with attacks deep within Russian borders, while peace negotiations held over the weekend fell short of making a breakthrough toward stopping the three-year war. Other than a deal to swap prisoners, efforts have been at a standstill and Russia has consistently dismissed demands for a unilateral ceasefire. "Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power," Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. A 59-year-old man was killed during the Russian attacks on residential housing in Odesa, and at least four others were injured, governor Oleg Kiper said. "The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires," Kiper wrote on Telegram. "The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings," he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time. "Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3:00 am (0000 GMT) that "a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital". Multiple casualties were reported during the attacks that struck at least seven districts, with cars and buildings on fire. Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners of war Russia and Ukraine swapped prisoners of war under the age of 25, confirmed Russia’s Defence Ministry on Monday, stating the exchange was the result of direct talks held between representatives of Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in Turkey. “On June 9, in accordance with the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine on June 2, the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was brought home from the area controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, a similar number of Ukrainian POWs was transferred,” the ministry said. The talks held on June 2 in Istanbul led to an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv for exchange of at least 1,200 POWs on each side, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded, and to repatriate thousands of bodies of those killed in the war, which is now in its fourth year. The exchange, the biggest so far, was expected to happen in phases. The Russian Defence Ministry did not say in its statement how many POWs were exchanged on Monday, but confirmed that both sides had swapped the same number of military personnel.

Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has stalled and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine swapped prisoners of war under the age of 25, confirmed Russia’s Defence Ministry on Monday, stating the exchange was the result of direct talks held between representatives of Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in Turkey.“On June 9, in accordance with the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine on June 2, the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was brought home from the area controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, a similar number of Ukrainian POWs was transferred,” the ministry said.The talks held on June 2 in Istanbul led to an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv for exchange of at least 1,200 POWs on each side, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded, and to repatriate thousands of bodies of those killed in the war, which is now in its fourth year.&nbsp;The exchange, the biggest so far, was expected to happen in phases.&nbsp;The Russian Defence Ministry did not say in its statement how many POWs were exchanged on Monday, but confirmed that both sides had swapped the same number of military personnel.The Russian military said its returned servicemen were in Belarus, a close Russian ally, where they were getting psychological and medical assistance before being transferred to Russia for further care.&nbsp;The Kremlin had said earlier on Monday that Russia was ready to honour the agreements on the prisoner of war exchange and repatriation of dead soldiers with Ukraine, despite what it said was Kyiv’s failure to fully honour its side of the bargain.&nbsp;“The young Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are being given the necessary psychological and medical assistance. They all will be taken to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation at medical organizations,” the ministry added.&nbsp;

The Russian military said its returned servicemen were in Belarus, a close Russian ally, where they were getting psychological and medical assistance before being transferred to Russia for further care.

Russia and Ukraine swapped prisoners of war under the age of 25, confirmed Russia’s Defence Ministry on Monday, stating the exchange was the result of direct talks held between representatives of Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in Turkey. “On June 9, in accordance with the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine on June 2, the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was brought home from the area controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, a similar number of Ukrainian POWs was transferred,” the ministry said. The talks held on June 2 in Istanbul led to an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv for exchange of at least 1,200 POWs on each side, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded, and to repatriate thousands of bodies of those killed in the war, which is now in its fourth year. The exchange, the biggest so far, was expected to happen in phases. The Russian Defence Ministry did not say in its statement how many POWs were exchanged on Monday, but confirmed that both sides had swapped the same number of military personnel. The Russian military said its returned servicemen were in Belarus, a close Russian ally, where they were getting psychological and medical assistance before being transferred to Russia for further care. The Kremlin had said earlier on Monday that Russia was ready to honour the agreements on the prisoner of war exchange and repatriation of dead soldiers with Ukraine, despite what it said was Kyiv’s failure to fully honour its side of the bargain. “The young Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are being given the necessary psychological and medical assistance. They all will be taken to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation at medical organizations,” the ministry added.

The Russian military said its returned servicemen were in Belarus, a close Russian ally, where they were getting psychological and medical assistance before being transferred to Russia for further care.

Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners of war, soldiers under 25 return home

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that 20,000 anti-drone missiles originally meant for Ukraine were redirected by US President Donald Trump’s administration to American forces stationed in the Middle East.Speaking to ABC News on 8 June, Zelensky confirmed that the missiles would have helped Ukraine defend against ongoing drone strikes from Russia, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed drones. On 1 June alone, Russia launched a record 472 drones in a single night.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-russia-launches-biggest-drone-strike-on-ukraine-since-inception-of-war-kyiv-downs-two-russian-aircraft-1749467560974">'479 drones, 20 missiles': Russia launches BIGGEST drone strike on Ukraine since inception of war; Kyiv downs two Russian aircraft</a><h2>“We counted on this project,” says Zelensky</h2>“We have big problems with Shaheds… we will find all the tools to destroy them,” Zelensky said. “We counted on this project — 20,000 missiles. Anti-Shahed missiles. It was not expensive, but it’s a special technology,” he said.He said the missile transfer plan was initially agreed with then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin under President Joe Biden’s administration.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-putin-zelensky-trump-s-children-fighting-remark-here-s-what-he-said-1749405687191">‘Putin is a murderer who came to kill the kids’: Zelensky hits back at Trump’s ‘children fighting’ remark — Here’s&nbsp;what&nbsp;he&nbsp;said</a><h2>US Pentagon cited ‘urgent’ need for redirection</h2>According to The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration reallocated the munitions, including special fuzes used in the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, for use by US troops in the Middle East. The Pentagon later told Congress in a classified message that the move was considered an “urgent issue” by current Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.<h2>Trump halted Ukraine military aid after re-election</h2>Since his return to office in January, Trump has blocked new military aid packages to Ukraine and has shown reluctance towards continuing assistance. Aid was only resumed after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire proposal during peace talks held in Jeddah on 11 March.Notably, Hegseth did not attend the recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on 4 June, marking the first such absence by a US defence secretary since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.<h2>Kyiv warns of intensified Russian drone threat</h2>A source from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent that Russia is preparing to launch over 500 long-range drones per night in upcoming strikes, as it boosts drone production and builds more launch sites.In response, Kyiv is urging its Western allies to provide more air defence systems, including US-made Patriot batteries, and invest in Ukraine’s domestic weapons production.

Zelensky confirmed that the missiles would have helped Ukraine defend against ongoing drone strikes from Russia, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that 20,000 anti-drone missiles originally meant for Ukraine were redirected by US President Donald Trump’s administration to American forces stationed in the Middle East. Speaking to ABC News on 8 June, Zelensky confirmed that the missiles would have helped Ukraine defend against ongoing drone strikes from Russia, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed drones. On 1 June alone, Russia launched a record 472 drones in a single night. Also read: '479 drones, 20 missiles': Russia launches BIGGEST drone strike on Ukraine since inception of war; Kyiv downs two Russian aircraft “We counted on this project,” says Zelensky “We have big problems with Shaheds… we will find all the tools to destroy them,” Zelensky said. “We counted on this project — 20,000 missiles. Anti-Shahed missiles. It was not expensive, but it’s a special technology,” he said. He said the missile transfer plan was initially agreed with then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin under President Joe Biden’s administration. Also read: ‘Putin is a murderer who came to kill the kids’: Zelensky hits back at Trump’s ‘children fighting’ remark — Here’s what he said US Pentagon cited ‘urgent’ need for redirection According to The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration reallocated the munitions, including special fuzes used in the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, for use by US troops in the Middle East. The Pentagon later told Congress in a classified message that the move was considered an “urgent issue” by current Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump halted Ukraine military aid after re-election Since his return to office in January, Trump has blocked new military aid packages to Ukraine and has shown reluctance towards continuing assistance. Aid was only resumed after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire proposal during peace talks held in Jeddah on 11 March. Notably, Hegseth did not attend the recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on 4 June, marking the first such absence by a US defence secretary since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Kyiv warns of intensified Russian drone threat A source from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent that Russia is preparing to launch over 500 long-range drones per night in upcoming strikes, as it boosts drone production and builds more launch sites. In response, Kyiv is urging its Western allies to provide more air defence systems, including US-made Patriot batteries, and invest in Ukraine’s domestic weapons production.

Zelensky confirmed that the missiles would have helped Ukraine defend against ongoing drone strikes from Russia, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

“We counted on them”: Zelensky says 20,000 US anti-drone missiles meant for Ukraine were diverted to Middle East by Trump admin

Ukraine has reported the largest drone strike since the war began over three years ago, with Russia launching 479 drones overnight, according to Ukraine’s air force on Monday (June 9). Alongside the drones, 20 missiles of various types were also fired towards different regions of the country.The strikes mainly targeted central and western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. Most of the drones and missiles were intercepted in mid-air, with 277 drones and 19 missiles destroyed by air defences. The air force claimed that only 10 reached their targets, and that one person was injured in the assault.WION has not independently verified these figures.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-putin-zelensky-trump-s-children-fighting-remark-here-s-what-he-said-1749405687191">‘Putin is a murderer who came to kill the kids’: Zelensky hits back at Trump’s ‘children fighting’ remark — Here’s&nbsp;what&nbsp;he&nbsp;said</a><h2>Russia steps up its offensive and urgent call for more air defences</h2>The wave of aerial attacks comes as Russia steps up its ground offensive in the eastern and northeastern parts of the 1,000-kilometre front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation on the battlefield remains “very difficult”, particularly in those regions.Zelensky repeated Ukraine’s urgent need for more Western military support, especially air defence systems, to counter Russia’s growing firepower.While two rounds of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were held in Istanbul recently, they have only resulted in agreements to exchange prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers, with no breakthrough on a broader ceasefire or settlement.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-successful-air-force-operation-ukraine-says-it-downed-russia-s-top-warplane-what-is-the-su-35-fighter-jet-1749296028135">'Successful Air Force operation': Ukraine says it downed Russia’s TOP warplane - What is the Su-35 fighter jet?</a><h2>Ukrainian forces claim strike on Russian airfield</h2>Ukraine’s military also claimed a night-time special operation on Savasleyka airfield in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, nearly 400 miles from the border. The base is used by Russia to launch MiG-31K jets armed with Kinzhal ballistic missiles, which have previously struck Ukrainian targets.“According to preliminary information, two units of enemy aircraft were hit (probably MiG-31 and Su-30/34 aircraft),” said the Ukrainian general staff.“The results of the combat operation are being clarified.”No specific details were provided about how the operation was carried out or the extent of the damage. However, this marks another attempt by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, just a week after drones reportedly targeted Russia’s nuclear-capable bombers during Operation Spiderweb.Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it shot down 49 Ukrainian drones over seven regions of the country overnight.

The strikes mainly targeted central and western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. Most of the drones and missiles were intercepted in mid-air, with 277 drones and 19 missiles destroyed by air defences.

Ukraine has reported the largest drone strike since the war began over three years ago, with Russia launching 479 drones overnight, according to Ukraine’s air force on Monday (June 9). Alongside the drones, 20 missiles of various types were also fired towards different regions of the country. The strikes mainly targeted central and western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. Most of the drones and missiles were intercepted in mid-air, with 277 drones and 19 missiles destroyed by air defences. The air force claimed that only 10 reached their targets, and that one person was injured in the assault. WION has not independently verified these figures. Also read: ‘Putin is a murderer who came to kill the kids’: Zelensky hits back at Trump’s ‘children fighting’ remark — Here’s what he said Russia steps up its offensive and urgent call for more air defences The wave of aerial attacks comes as Russia steps up its ground offensive in the eastern and northeastern parts of the 1,000-kilometre front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation on the battlefield remains “very difficult”, particularly in those regions. Zelensky repeated Ukraine’s urgent need for more Western military support, especially air defence systems, to counter Russia’s growing firepower. While two rounds of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were held in Istanbul recently, they have only resulted in agreements to exchange prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers, with no breakthrough on a broader ceasefire or settlement. Also read: 'Successful Air Force operation': Ukraine says it downed Russia’s TOP warplane - What is the Su-35 fighter jet? Ukrainian forces claim strike on Russian airfield Ukraine’s military also claimed a night-time special operation on Savasleyka airfield in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, nearly 400 miles from the border. The base is used by Russia to launch MiG-31K jets armed with Kinzhal ballistic missiles, which have previously struck Ukrainian targets. “According to preliminary information, two units of enemy aircraft were hit (probably MiG-31 and Su-30/34 aircraft),” said the Ukrainian general staff. “The results of the combat operation are being clarified.” No specific details were provided about how the operation was carried out or the extent of the damage. However, this marks another attempt by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, just a week after drones reportedly targeted Russia’s nuclear-capable bombers during Operation Spiderweb. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it shot down 49 Ukrainian drones over seven regions of the country overnight.

The strikes mainly targeted central and western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. Most of the drones and missiles were intercepted in mid-air, with 277 drones and 19 missiles destroyed by air defences.&nbsp;

'479 drones, 20 missiles': Russia launches BIGGEST drone strike on Ukraine since inception of war; Kyiv downs two Russian aircraft

Amid the fear of attacks by Russia, Germany is planning to expand its network of bomb-proof Cold War-era bunkers and shelters to protect itself, as the country’s most senior civil protection officer warned of a possible attack in the next four years.&nbsp;Talking to the newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), said that Germany must face the reality of potential conflict, and it is not prepared for it.&nbsp;“For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,” the official told Süddeutsche Zeitung.&nbsp;“That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe,” he added.How will Germany do it?&nbsp;The official said that there is a need for a nationwide effort to identify and convert tunnels, underground stations, car parks, and cellars of public buildings into protective shelters. He said that the country needs to “quickly create space for 1 million people”.&nbsp;Tiesler said his department will share a complete plan regarding it later this summer.&nbsp;The official said that constraining new bunkers would be time-consuming, costly, and would not suffice. Hence, the government needs to assess the existing structures.&nbsp;Why sudden urgency?&nbsp;Since it invaded Ukraine, Russia has posed a danger to many neighbouring countries, like Germany.&nbsp;Currently, only around 580 of Germany’s 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers and protective spaces remain operational, with most requiring multimillion-euro upgrades.&nbsp;What else needs to be done?&nbsp;Tiesler stressed his suggestion that there is a need to improve public information systems, including mobile apps and road signs, to direct people to nearby shelters. &nbsp;&nbsp;He also said that Germany's warning sirens also need to be upgraded, and the country also needs better cybersecurity for existing alert apps.&nbsp;

Germany to expand its Cold War-era bunkers against potential Russian attack. How will it happen?

Amid the fear of attacks by Russia, Germany is planning to expand its network of bomb-proof Cold War-era bunkers and shelters to protect itself, as the country’s most senior civil protection officer warned of a possible attack in the next four years. Talking to the newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), said that Germany must face the reality of potential conflict, and it is not prepared for it. “For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,” the official told Süddeutsche Zeitung. “That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe,” he added. How will Germany do it? The official said that there is a need for a nationwide effort to identify and convert tunnels, underground stations, car parks, and cellars of public buildings into protective shelters. He said that the country needs to “quickly create space for 1 million people”. Tiesler said his department will share a complete plan regarding it later this summer. The official said that constraining new bunkers would be time-consuming, costly, and would not suffice. Hence, the government needs to assess the existing structures. Why sudden urgency? Since it invaded Ukraine, Russia has posed a danger to many neighbouring countries, like Germany. Currently, only around 580 of Germany’s 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers and protective spaces remain operational, with most requiring multimillion-euro upgrades. What else needs to be done? Tiesler stressed his suggestion that there is a need to improve public information systems, including mobile apps and road signs, to direct people to nearby shelters. He also said that Germany's warning sirens also need to be upgraded, and the country also needs better cybersecurity for existing alert apps.

Amid the fear of attacks by Russia, Germany is planning to expand its bomb-proof Cold War-era bunkers to protect itself, as the country’s most senior civil protection officer warned of a possible attack in the next four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country is open to a ceasefire brokered by the United States, as he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking Ukraine’s “total defeat”.In an exclusive interview with ABC News on Sunday (June 08), Zelensky insisted that only “hard pressure” from the US and its European allies would be enough to push Putin towards a diplomatic solution.“Then they will stop the war,” Zelensky said. “I am convinced that the president of the United States has all the powers and enough leverage to step up,” he added.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/la-protest-trump-2000-national-guard-los-angeles-marines-next-all-you-need-to-know-1749400097503">Trump sends 2,000 National Guard to Los Angeles. Are Marines next? - All you need to know</a><h2>Ukraine rejects past ceasefires as Russia kept launching attacks</h2>Zelensky warned that temporary ceasefires in the past were never respected by Russia, as missile strikes and attacks continued.“People have to understand that we are under strikes, under attack every day,” he said. “You might remember that when they were talking about ceasefires, they still continued attacking and launching strikes,” he added.Zelensky said Ukraine is willing to accept a 30-day ceasefire without demanding a US security guarantee, as long as Russia also halts hostilities.<h2>Zelensky disagrees with Trump’s ‘children fighting’ comparison</h2>Zelensky pushed back on US President Donald Trump’s comments, where Trump compared the war in Ukraine to “two young children fighting like crazy”.The remark was made during Trump’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. Trump said the war in Ukraine is like "two young children fighting like crazy" and "sometimes you're better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart."Zelensky recalled the story of a Ukrainian man who lost his wife and children in a missile strike. “He told me, ‘I’m still looking for them beside me in the flat. And they are not there,’” Zelensky said.“Do people who haven’t lost the kids feel something like that? Probably not. Can a president who is in America feel exactly like this father? No,” he added."We are not kids with Putin at the playground in the park. This is why I am saying he is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids," he said.<h2>Operation ‘Spiderweb’: Ukraine’s major strike on Russian bombers</h2>Just days earlier, Ukraine carried out a coordinated drone attack targeting Russian airfields. The operation, called “Spiderweb”, reportedly destroyed around a third of Russia’s strategic bombers.Zelensky said the secret mission had been in planning for 18 months and only hit military targets.“We can only counter [Russia’s aggression] with force. We understood if [Ukraine’s special services could] take some steps, we can stop [Russia] in their tracks,” Zelensky said.<h2>Kremlin calls it terrorism, Zelensky says it’s a clean military operation</h2>Russia called the drone attacks “an act of terrorism”, a claim Zelensky strongly rejected.“It’s [a] clean and clear military operation. It’s a step that showed everyone that we do not want this war,” he said. “We do not want to fight.”

Zelensky warned that temporary ceasefires in the past were never respected by Russia, as missile strikes and attacks continued.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country is open to a ceasefire brokered by the United States, as he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking Ukraine’s “total defeat”. In an exclusive interview with ABC News on Sunday (June 08), Zelensky insisted that only “hard pressure” from the US and its European allies would be enough to push Putin towards a diplomatic solution. “Then they will stop the war,” Zelensky said. “I am convinced that the president of the United States has all the powers and enough leverage to step up,” he added. Also read: Trump sends 2,000 National Guard to Los Angeles. Are Marines next? - All you need to know Ukraine rejects past ceasefires as Russia kept launching attacks Zelensky warned that temporary ceasefires in the past were never respected by Russia, as missile strikes and attacks continued. “People have to understand that we are under strikes, under attack every day,” he said. “You might remember that when they were talking about ceasefires, they still continued attacking and launching strikes,” he added. Zelensky said Ukraine is willing to accept a 30-day ceasefire without demanding a US security guarantee, as long as Russia also halts hostilities. Zelensky disagrees with Trump’s ‘children fighting’ comparison Zelensky pushed back on US President Donald Trump’s comments, where Trump compared the war in Ukraine to “two young children fighting like crazy”. The remark was made during Trump’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. Trump said the war in Ukraine is like "two young children fighting like crazy" and "sometimes you're better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart." Zelensky recalled the story of a Ukrainian man who lost his wife and children in a missile strike. “He told me, ‘I’m still looking for them beside me in the flat. And they are not there,’” Zelensky said. “Do people who haven’t lost the kids feel something like that? Probably not. Can a president who is in America feel exactly like this father? No,” he added. "We are not kids with Putin at the playground in the park. This is why I am saying he is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids," he said. Operation ‘Spiderweb’: Ukraine’s major strike on Russian bombers Just days earlier, Ukraine carried out a coordinated drone attack targeting Russian airfields. The operation, called “Spiderweb”, reportedly destroyed around a third of Russia’s strategic bombers. Zelensky said the secret mission had been in planning for 18 months and only hit military targets. “We can only counter [Russia’s aggression] with force. We understood if [Ukraine’s special services could] take some steps, we can stop [Russia] in their tracks,” Zelensky said. Kremlin calls it terrorism, Zelensky says it’s a clean military operation Russia called the drone attacks “an act of terrorism”, a claim Zelensky strongly rejected. “It’s [a] clean and clear military operation. It’s a step that showed everyone that we do not want this war,” he said. “We do not want to fight.”

Zelensky warned that temporary ceasefires in the past were never respected by Russia, as missile strikes and attacks continued.

‘Putin is a murderer who came to kill the kids’: Zelensky hits back at Trump’s ‘children fighting’ remark — Here’s what he said

After Russia launched the "most powerful attack" on Ukraine's Kharkiv, US President Donald Trump appeared to justify the Kremlin's large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities, in retaliation to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb.The US president said that they had the Russian president a reason to go in and bomb.“They gave (Russian President Vladimir) Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One."That's the thing I don't like about it. When I saw it I said 'here we go now it's going to be a strike,' Trump added.Russia launched more than 400 drones and 40 missiles across Ukrainian cities, killing six people and injuring more than 80."Today, rescue and emergency operations continued all day across various regions and cities of our country. Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles were launched by the Russians. 80 people were injured, and some may still be under the debris," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday in a post on X.However, according to a BBC report, Ukrainians pointed out that it is absurd to talk of retaliation when Russia has been bombing Ukrainian cities for more than three years.The night before Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, Russia launched 472 drones over Ukraine in one of the largest aerial assaults of the war so far."Unfortunately, not everyone in the world condemns such attacks. This is exactly what Putin exploits. He is buying himself time to keep waging war," the Ukrainian president stated on Saturday.The Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed the deaths of three firefighters in Kyiv, including three civilians.Zelensky said that the Russians constantly try to drive wedges into the unity of the world in order to prevent stronger pressure for their war.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-s-most-powerful-attack-on-kharkiv-unleashes-400-drones-40-missiles-as-it-retaliates-to-ukraine-s-operation-spiderweb-1749291073723">Also read: Russia's 'MOST POWERFUL' attack on Kharkiv: Unleashes 400 drones, 40 missiles as it retaliates to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb</a>&nbsp;

Russia launched more than 400 drones and 40 missiles across Ukrainian cities, killing six people and injuring more than 80.

After Russia launched the "most powerful attack" on Ukraine's Kharkiv, US President Donald Trump appeared to justify the Kremlin's large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities, in retaliation to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. The US president said that they had the Russian president a reason to go in and bomb. “They gave (Russian President Vladimir) Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "That's the thing I don't like about it. When I saw it I said 'here we go now it's going to be a strike,' Trump added. Russia launched more than 400 drones and 40 missiles across Ukrainian cities, killing six people and injuring more than 80. "Today, rescue and emergency operations continued all day across various regions and cities of our country. Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles were launched by the Russians. 80 people were injured, and some may still be under the debris," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday in a post on X. However, according to a BBC report, Ukrainians pointed out that it is absurd to talk of retaliation when Russia has been bombing Ukrainian cities for more than three years. The night before Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, Russia launched 472 drones over Ukraine in one of the largest aerial assaults of the war so far. "Unfortunately, not everyone in the world condemns such attacks. This is exactly what Putin exploits. He is buying himself time to keep waging war," the Ukrainian president stated on Saturday. The Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed the deaths of three firefighters in Kyiv, including three civilians. Zelensky said that the Russians constantly try to drive wedges into the unity of the world in order to prevent stronger pressure for their war. Also read: Russia's 'MOST POWERFUL' attack on Kharkiv: Unleashes 400 drones, 40 missiles as it retaliates to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb

Russia launched more than 400 drones and 40 missiles across Ukrainian cities, killing six people and injuring more than 80.

'Gave Putin a reason to bomb the hell out of them': Trump defends Russia's 'BIGGEST ATTACK' on Ukraine

Ukraine’s Air Force said on Saturday (June 07) that it had shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet during a military operation near Kursk. The incident occurred in the early hours Saturday, according to a statement shared on Telegram.“This morning, on June 7, 2025, as a result of a successful Air Force operation in the Kursk direction, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was shot down,” Ukraine’s military said.There has been no official comment from Russia so far. Independent verification of the event was not immediately possible.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-s-most-powerful-attack-on-kharkiv-unleashes-400-drones-40-missiles-as-it-retaliates-to-ukraine-s-operation-spiderweb-1749291073723">Russia's 'MOST POWERFUL' attack on Kharkiv: Unleashes 400 drones, 40 missiles as it retaliates to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb</a><h2>Ukraine intensifies air strikes against Russian military assets</h2>The Su-35 shootdown comes shortly after Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, launched a large-scale drone attack targeting more than 40 Russian military aircraft. That strike reportedly damaged or destroyed several Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, aircraft known for launching long-range missile strikes against Ukraine.On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force also released video footage of a burning jet, reportedly captured using reconnaissance or targeting equipment, possibly from a drone or another aircraft.<h2>What is the Su-35 fighter jet?</h2>The Sukhoi Su-35 is one of Russia’s most advanced fighter jets, based on the older Su-27 design. Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and produced at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, the Su-35 is known for its air superiority capabilities and multi-role performance.The aircraft is a single-seat, twin-engine fighter, capable of patrolling airspace and launching both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. It can also deploy glide bombs, standard bombs upgraded with guidance systems, which have been used to cause significant damage across eastern Ukraine.The jet’s first version flew in 1988, and after modifications in the 1990s, it was exported and used in various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War.<h2>Combat capabilities and specifications of the Su-35</h2>The Su-35 can carry a wide range of weaponry:• Air-to-air missiles: R-27, R-77, R-73E• Air-to-ground weapons: Kh-29, Kh-31P, Kh-58UShE• Anti-ship missiles: Kh-31A, Kh-59MK, Kalibr, Yakhont• Guided bombs: KAB-500, KAB-1500, LGB-250• Rocket variants: 80mm to 420mm• Gun: 30mm GSh-30-1 with 150 roundsThe fighter is powered by two AL-31F 117S turbofan engines, with thrust-vectoring nozzles, enabling high manoeuvrability. It has a maximum speed of 2,390 km/h, can reach altitudes of 18,000 metres, and carries 14,350 litres of fuel.The jet has a normal weight of 18,400kg, but can reach 34,500kg when&nbsp;fully&nbsp;loaded.

The Su-35 shootdown comes shortly after Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, launched a large-scale drone attack targeting more than 40 Russian military aircraft. 

Ukraine’s Air Force said on Saturday (June 07) that it had shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet during a military operation near Kursk. The incident occurred in the early hours Saturday, according to a statement shared on Telegram. “This morning, on June 7, 2025, as a result of a successful Air Force operation in the Kursk direction, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was shot down,” Ukraine’s military said. There has been no official comment from Russia so far. Independent verification of the event was not immediately possible. Also read: Russia's 'MOST POWERFUL' attack on Kharkiv: Unleashes 400 drones, 40 missiles as it retaliates to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb Ukraine intensifies air strikes against Russian military assets The Su-35 shootdown comes shortly after Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, launched a large-scale drone attack targeting more than 40 Russian military aircraft. That strike reportedly damaged or destroyed several Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, aircraft known for launching long-range missile strikes against Ukraine. On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force also released video footage of a burning jet, reportedly captured using reconnaissance or targeting equipment, possibly from a drone or another aircraft. What is the Su-35 fighter jet? The Sukhoi Su-35 is one of Russia’s most advanced fighter jets, based on the older Su-27 design. Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and produced at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, the Su-35 is known for its air superiority capabilities and multi-role performance. The aircraft is a single-seat, twin-engine fighter, capable of patrolling airspace and launching both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. It can also deploy glide bombs, standard bombs upgraded with guidance systems, which have been used to cause significant damage across eastern Ukraine. The jet’s first version flew in 1988, and after modifications in the 1990s, it was exported and used in various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War. Combat capabilities and specifications of the Su-35 The Su-35 can carry a wide range of weaponry: • Air-to-air missiles: R-27, R-77, R-73E • Air-to-ground weapons: Kh-29, Kh-31P, Kh-58UShE • Anti-ship missiles: Kh-31A, Kh-59MK, Kalibr, Yakhont • Guided bombs: KAB-500, KAB-1500, LGB-250 • Rocket variants: 80mm to 420mm • Gun: 30mm GSh-30-1 with 150 rounds The fighter is powered by two AL-31F 117S turbofan engines, with thrust-vectoring nozzles, enabling high manoeuvrability. It has a maximum speed of 2,390 km/h, can reach altitudes of 18,000 metres, and carries 14,350 litres of fuel. The jet has a normal weight of 18,400kg, but can reach 34,500kg when fully loaded.

The Su-35 shootdown comes shortly after Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, launched a large-scale drone attack targeting more than 40 Russian military aircraft.&nbsp;

'Successful Air Force operation': Ukraine says it downed Russia’s TOP warplane - What is the Su-35 fighter jet?

Days after Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, Russia on Saturday launched the "most powerful attack" on Ukraine's Kharkiv, launching more than 400 drones and 40 missiles.Six people died and several were injured in the large-scale strike in Ukraine, Ukrainian officials told CNN.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a post on X, saying that 80 people were injured, while some may still be under the debris."Today, rescue and emergency operations continued all day across various regions and cities of our country. Over 400 drones, and more than 40 missiles were launched by the Russians. 80 people were injured, and some may still be under the debris," Zelenskyy said on Saturday in a post on X."Unfortunately, not everyone in the world condemns such attacks. This is exactly what Putin exploits. He is buying himself time to keep waging war," the Ukrainian president added.Further, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed the deaths of three firefighters in Kyiv, including three civilians.Zelensky said that the Russians constantly try to drive wedges into the unity of the world in order to prevent stronger pressure for their war."Kharkiv had a particularly terrible night," Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on social media."People were injured and killed, and the energy infrastructure was also damaged," he added.Ukraine shot down Russian Su-35 fighter jetThe Ukrainian military said that the air force shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet on Saturday morning."This morning, on June 7, 2025, as a result of a successful Air Force operation in the Kursk direction, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was shot down," the military said on the Telegram messenger.Moreover, in the biggest attack on Ukraine, apartment blocks and private homes were among the buildings hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-political-asylum-to-peace-deal-russia-has-lot-to-say-on-trump-musk-breakup-and-tesla-boss-is-enjoying-it-1749281272186">Also read: From 'political asylum' to 'peace deal': Russia has lot to say on Trump-Musk breakup and Tesla boss is enjoying it</a>&nbsp;

Six people died and several were injured in the large-scale strike in Ukraine, Ukrainian officials told CNN.

Days after Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, Russia on Saturday launched the "most powerful attack" on Ukraine's Kharkiv, launching more than 400 drones and 40 missiles. Six people died and several were injured in the large-scale strike in Ukraine, Ukrainian officials told CNN. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a post on X, saying that 80 people were injured, while some may still be under the debris. "Today, rescue and emergency operations continued all day across various regions and cities of our country. Over 400 drones, and more than 40 missiles were launched by the Russians. 80 people were injured, and some may still be under the debris," Zelenskyy said on Saturday in a post on X. "Unfortunately, not everyone in the world condemns such attacks. This is exactly what Putin exploits. He is buying himself time to keep waging war," the Ukrainian president added. Further, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed the deaths of three firefighters in Kyiv, including three civilians. Zelensky said that the Russians constantly try to drive wedges into the unity of the world in order to prevent stronger pressure for their war. "Kharkiv had a particularly terrible night," Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on social media. "People were injured and killed, and the energy infrastructure was also damaged," he added. Ukraine shot down Russian Su-35 fighter jet The Ukrainian military said that the air force shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet on Saturday morning. "This morning, on June 7, 2025, as a result of a successful Air Force operation in the Kursk direction, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was shot down," the military said on the Telegram messenger. Moreover, in the biggest attack on Ukraine, apartment blocks and private homes were among the buildings hit. Also read: From 'political asylum' to 'peace deal': Russia has lot to say on Trump-Musk breakup and Tesla boss is enjoying it

Six people died and several were injured in the large-scale strike in Ukraine, Ukrainian officials told CNN.

Russia's 'MOST POWERFUL' attack on Kharkiv: Unleashes 400 drones, 40 missiles as it retaliates to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has launched over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, including ballistic ones, in Ukraine. Talking to the social media platform X, the Ukrainian president said at least three people were killed in the strike and around 49 were injured. Zelensky said the number may increase further.&nbsp;"Russia doesn't change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life. They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions," he wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Russia doesn`t change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life. They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. Some of the missiles and drones were shot down. I thank our… <a href="https://t.co/O1iemSp3s2">pic.twitter.com/O1iemSp3s2</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1930889182802506190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"In total, over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles – including ballistic missiles – were used in today’s attack. 49 people were wounded. Unfortunately, the number may increase – people are reaching out for help,” Zelensky added.&nbsp;He said the three people killed in the attack were the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. &nbsp;&nbsp;“Russia must be held accountable for this. Since the first minute of this war, they have been striking cities and villages to destroy life. We’ve done a lot together with the world to enable Ukraine to defend itself. But now is exactly the moment when America, Europe, and everyone around the world can stop this war together by pressuring Russia,” the Ukrainian president wrote.&nbsp;The attack came after Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb - an operation that damaged the Russian military and destroyed many of its key bomber planes, including the Tu-95 and Tu-160.&nbsp;

Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles: Zelensky says Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine, kills 3 people

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has launched over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, including ballistic ones, in Ukraine. Talking to the social media platform X, the Ukrainian president said at least three people were killed in the strike and around 49 were injured. Zelensky said the number may increase further. "Russia doesn't change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life. They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions," he wrote on X.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has launched over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, including ballistic ones, in Ukraine. Talking to the social media platform X, the Ukrainian president said at least three people were killed in the strike and around 49 were injured.

'Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles': Zelensky says Russia launches 'massive strike' on Ukraine, kills 3 people

Ukraine targeted Russian strategic bombers in its Operation Spider's Web this week. The attacks were carried out using drones launched from concealed trucks, and destroyed partially or fully at least five Russian nuclear bombers, according to reports. While the exact damage will likely remain a secret, the attack was a setback for Russia's nuclear triad. This has brought back focus on Russian nuclear weapons capabilities.&nbsp;While much of the information remains secretive, the scale of Russian nuclear muscle can be understood from what is available in public, on sources like the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Arms Control Association and the think tank SIPRI. Though Russia has suspended participation in the New START Treaty, it still adheres to the limits on nuclear warheads as agreed on the treaty with the US. Under the pact, Russia has 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems.&nbsp;Russia is meanwhile continuing to expand its capabilities, including in the hypersonic and tactical systems.<h2> Russia's nuclear bombs and warheads</h2>Russia is estimated to possess around 5,580 nuclear warheads, including 4,380 in the so-called active stockpile. The active stockpile consists of 1,710 deployed strategic warheads, 1,112 stored strategic warheads and 1,558 non-strategic warheads. There are an estimated 1,200 retired warheads that are set to be dismantled. Out of its 1,710 deployed strategic warheads, 870 are thought to be on ICBMs, 640 on SLBMs, and around 200 at bomber bases.&nbsp;The nuclear yields range from 100 kilotons to 1 megaton for strategic weapons.<h2> Tactical warheads beyond nuclear triad</h2>Russia also has non-strategic or tactical nuclear warheads, which are estimated to number around 1,558. These include gravity bombs, air-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes. These are low-yield bombs of 15–20 kilotons, comparable to the bombs dropped by the US in Hiroshima, for delivery by aircraft, short-range missiles like Iskander and naval systems.&nbsp;Tactical delivery systems include Iskander (SS-26), which are ground-based ballistic missiles, Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missiles deployed on MiG-31K fighter jets and Kalibr (SS-N-30A) cruise missiles on surface ships and attack submarines.&nbsp;Russia is also in the process of developing hypersonic systems like Avangard and Zircon, some of which are thought to be nuclear-capable.&nbsp;Russia is also developing the Poseidon Torpedo, which is nuclear-powered and has intercontinental range, as a deterrent. The torpedo's warhead is from cobalt-60, which can potentially contaminate coastal areas.&nbsp;<h2>Russia's nuclear triad: Land, Air and Sea</h2>Russia’s nuclear warheads include intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), strategic bombers and carriers.&nbsp;Russia is upgrading its Soviet-era ICBMs with newer models like Yars and Sarmat. &nbsp;Currently, Russia has an estimated 286 ICBMs that can deliver up to 958 nuclear warheads.&nbsp;There are 46 silo-based R-36M2 missiles known as SS-18 Satan, 30 silo-based UR-100N (SS-19), 36 mobile RT-2PM Topol (SS-25), 60 silo-based RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27), 18 mobile RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27), 84 mobile RS-24 Yars (SS-29), and 12 silo-based RS-24 Yars (SS-29). Russia's RS-24 Yars and RS-28 Sarmat - which are currently being developed and will replace the SS-18 - can carry multiple warheads.<h2>Russia's nuclear-capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)</h2>Russia has an estimated 192 deployed SLBM launchers across 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), capable of delivering 624 nuclear warheads. Each SSBN carries 16 missiles. Its submarine fleet includes five Delta-class submarines (3 Delta III, 2 Delta IV), and seven Borei-class submarines. Delta IV submarines are fitted with the R-29RMU Sineva/SS-N-23 missiles. Each missile has four warheads of around 8,000+ km range. R-29RMU2.1 Liner missiles can carry up to 10 warheads, while RSM-56 Bulava can carry six warheads of 8,000 km range.&nbsp;Borei-class submarines are replacing older Delta-class submarines, with up to 10 planned by 2027.<h2>Russia's strategic bombers</h2> Russia is estimated to hold 67 bombers capable of carrying 586 nuclear warheads.Russia has around 55 Tu-95MS (Bear H) bombers, each capable of carrying 6–16 Kh-55 cruise missiles or gravity bombs. There are some 12 Tu-160 (Blackjack) jets that can carry 12 Kh-55 or Kh-15 missiles.These bombers are based at Ukrainka and Engels air bases, each of them counted as one warhead under New START, treaty, though their actual capacity might be higher.&nbsp;

Ukraine Operation Spiders Web attack targeted Russian nuclear bombers. Know about Russia nuclear weapons

Ukraine targeted Russian strategic bombers in its Operation Spider's Web this week. The attacks were carried out using drones launched from concealed trucks, and destroyed partially or fully at least five Russian nuclear bombers, according to reports. While the exact damage will likely remain a secret, the attack was a setback for Russia's nuclear triad. This has brought back focus on Russian nuclear weapons capabilities. While much of the information remains secretive, the scale of Russian nuclear muscle can be understood from what is available in public, on sources like the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Arms Control Association and the think tank SIPRI. Though Russia has suspended participation in the New START Treaty, it still adheres to the limits on nuclear warheads as agreed on the treaty with the US. Under the pact, Russia has 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems. Russia is meanwhile continuing to expand its capabilities, including in the hypersonic and tactical systems. Russia's nuclear bombs and warheads Russia is estimated to possess around 5,580 nuclear warheads, including 4,380 in the so-called active stockpile. The active stockpile consists of 1,710 deployed strategic warheads, 1,112 stored strategic warheads and 1,558 non-strategic warheads. There are an estimated 1,200 retired warheads that are set to be dismantled. Out of its 1,710 deployed strategic warheads, 870 are thought to be on ICBMs, 640 on SLBMs, and around 200 at bomber bases. The nuclear yields range from 100 kilotons to 1 megaton for strategic weapons. Tactical warheads beyond nuclear triad Russia also has non-strategic or tactical nuclear warheads, which are estimated to number around 1,558. These include gravity bombs, air-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes. These are low-yield bombs of 15–20 kilotons, comparable to the bombs dropped by the US in Hiroshima, for delivery by aircraft, short-range missiles like Iskander and naval systems. Tactical delivery systems include Iskander (SS-26), which are ground-based ballistic missiles, Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missiles deployed on MiG-31K fighter jets and Kalibr (SS-N-30A) cruise missiles on surface ships and attack submarines. Russia is also in the process of developing hypersonic systems like Avangard and Zircon, some of which are thought to be nuclear-capable. Russia is also developing the Poseidon Torpedo, which is nuclear-powered and has intercontinental range, as a deterrent. The torpedo's warhead is from cobalt-60, which can potentially contaminate coastal areas. Russia's nuclear triad: Land, Air and Sea Russia’s nuclear warheads include intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), strategic bombers and carriers. Russia is upgrading its Soviet-era ICBMs with newer models like Yars and Sarmat. Currently, Russia has an estimated 286 ICBMs that can deliver up to 958 nuclear warheads. There are 46 silo-based R-36M2 missiles known as SS-18 Satan, 30 silo-based UR-100N (SS-19), 36 mobile RT-2PM Topol (SS-25), 60 silo-based RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27), 18 mobile RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27), 84 mobile RS-24 Yars (SS-29), and 12 silo-based RS-24 Yars (SS-29). Russia's RS-24 Yars and RS-28 Sarmat - which are currently being developed and will replace the SS-18 - can carry multiple warheads. Russia's nuclear-capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) Russia has an estimated 192 deployed SLBM launchers across 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), capable of delivering 624 nuclear warheads. Each SSBN carries 16 missiles. Its submarine fleet includes five Delta-class submarines (3 Delta III, 2 Delta IV), and seven Borei-class submarines. Delta IV submarines are fitted with the R-29RMU Sineva/SS-N-23 missiles. Each missile has four warheads of around 8,000+ km range. R-29RMU2.1 Liner missiles can carry up to 10 warheads, while RSM-56 Bulava can carry six warheads of 8,000 km range. Borei-class submarines are replacing older Delta-class submarines, with up to 10 planned by 2027. Russia's strategic bombers Russia is estimated to hold 67 bombers capable of carrying 586 nuclear warheads. Russia has around 55 Tu-95MS (Bear H) bombers, each capable of carrying 6–16 Kh-55 cruise missiles or gravity bombs. There are some 12 Tu-160 (Blackjack) jets that can carry 12 Kh-55 or Kh-15 missiles. These bombers are based at Ukrainka and Engels air bases, each of them counted as one warhead under New START, treaty, though their actual capacity might be higher.

Operation Spider's Web: While the exact damage will likely remain a secret, the Ukrainian attack was a setback for Russia's nuclear triad. This has brought back focus on Russian nuclear weapons capabilities.

Ukraine Operation Spider's Web attack targeted Russian nuclear bombers. Know about Russia's nuclear weapons

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 5) warned Russian President Vladimir Putin as war with Ukraine intensifies, saying that if Russia is out of line, the US will be very tough.Trump further pointed out that he is not friends with either Russia or Ukraine."If Russia is out of line, you'll be amazed how tough we are. I'm not friends with anybody," Trump said during his meeting with Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz at White House."Don't think Putin is playing games. I have always thought Putin wants all of Ukraine," the US president said, adding that he doesn't think Russia-Ukraine will sign a deal.Trump said that Putin got hit hard, "he wanted the whole thing.""When I see the moment when we're not going to make a deal and it's not going to stop, we will be very tough. It could be on both Russia or Ukraine. Actually, sometimes you're better off letting them fight for a while before pulling them apart," Trump said.He added that he told Putin, that "maybe you're going to have to keep fighting for a while before being pulled apart from Ukraine. There is some additional fighting going on with Ukraine and Russia. I told Putin don't retaliate to Ukraine, you should stop it," Trump said.Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merz told Trump that he is the 'key person' who can put pressure on Russia.When asked whether he agreed with an analogy Trump made on the war between Russia and Ukraine as being a fight between two kids, Merz said, "I think we both agree on this war and how terrible this war is and we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon.""I told the president before we came in that he is the key person in the world who can really do that now by putting pressure on Russia."The German chancellor said that we all have the duty to do something to stop the war, adding that his personal view "is clear"."We are on the side of Ukraine and we are trying to get them stronger and stronger just to make Putin stop this war," he said.&nbsp;

"If Russia is out of line, you'll be amazed how tough we are. I'm not friends with anybody," Trump said during his meeting with Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz at White House.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 5) warned Russian President Vladimir Putin as war with Ukraine intensifies, saying that if Russia is out of line, the US will be very tough. Trump further pointed out that he is not friends with either Russia or Ukraine. "If Russia is out of line, you'll be amazed how tough we are. I'm not friends with anybody," Trump said during his meeting with Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz at White House. "Don't think Putin is playing games. I have always thought Putin wants all of Ukraine," the US president said, adding that he doesn't think Russia-Ukraine will sign a deal. Trump said that Putin got hit hard, "he wanted the whole thing." "When I see the moment when we're not going to make a deal and it's not going to stop, we will be very tough. It could be on both Russia or Ukraine. Actually, sometimes you're better off letting them fight for a while before pulling them apart," Trump said. He added that he told Putin, that "maybe you're going to have to keep fighting for a while before being pulled apart from Ukraine. There is some additional fighting going on with Ukraine and Russia. I told Putin don't retaliate to Ukraine, you should stop it," Trump said. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merz told Trump that he is the 'key person' who can put pressure on Russia. When asked whether he agreed with an analogy Trump made on the war between Russia and Ukraine as being a fight between two kids, Merz said, "I think we both agree on this war and how terrible this war is and we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon." "I told the president before we came in that he is the key person in the world who can really do that now by putting pressure on Russia." The German chancellor said that we all have the duty to do something to stop the war, adding that his personal view "is clear". "We are on the side of Ukraine and we are trying to get them stronger and stronger just to make Putin stop this war," he said.

"If Russia is out of line, you'll be amazed how tough we are. I'm not friends with anybody," Trump said during his meeting with Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz at White House.

'If Russia is out of line...': Trump warns Putin as war with Ukraine escalates, says he's 'no friend' to Putin or Zelensky

The urban legend of UVB-76 or the Doomsday Radio refuses to die. On June 4, 2025, &nbsp;the station broadcast codewords "azotobak" and “osholin” from 4625 kHz frequency, as Trump and Putin discussed on a phone call about a possible retaliation by Russia against Ukraine. The broadcast is cryptic and has no widely accepted public meaning.&nbsp;Notably, this station also broadcast twice during the last White House call on May 19. What followed is a mixture of paranoia, speculation and renewed obsession with one of the Cold War's most persistent conspiracy theories, a radio signal that has a digital cult.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Russian ‘Doomsday Radio’ comes ALIVE Cold War-era UVB-76 station broadcasts codewords ‘azotobak and ‘osholin’ after Trump and Putin supposedly discussed Russian RETALIATION against Ukraine Purpose of the station remains a mystery <a href="https://t.co/KqaMoTVEwC">pic.twitter.com/KqaMoTVEwC</a>&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1930339923845857633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Interpreting these broadcasts&nbsp;</h2>“UVB-76 isn’t obsolete — it’s redundancy. Shortwave can go where satellites can’t, and it’s immune to hacking.”said Professor of Electronics and Radio Systems Dr. David Stupples, City University London. During the Cold War, Soviet Spies were instructed via short-wave radio. They were "Numbers stations” that were transmitting encrypted numbers to the spies across the globe.To ordinary people, these are meaningless noise to the ear, because they have no clear public meaning. The exact purpose of the broadcast remains classified. Started operating in 1997 during the fall of Soviet Russia, for three and a half decades, the monotonous buzz of UBV-76 had been around regularly and irregularly. Occasionally unavailable for longer periods. Because of its transmission, which is broken, humming, followed by unintelligible words and bursts of cryptic numbers, it has come to be known as the infamous ‘Buzzer’.“It may be part of a strategic communications grid, like a heartbeat signal. If it stops or changes, it could trigger military protocols,” said Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research on nuclear forces.&nbsp;There are online communities, Discord servers, Reddit threads, and YouTube live streams dedicated to tracking transmission from the Buzzer. A group of collective shortwave listeners at Priyam.org detected the 2025 transmission quickly.&nbsp;According to the Russian Journal of Earth Sciences, an observatory is measuring changes in the ionosphere, which is operating at the frequency of 4625 kHz.&nbsp;There is another theory that posits these transmissions are military communications.&nbsp;According to a report by the BBC, it is headquartered near St Petersburg, 876H+F53 Kerro, Leningrad Oblast, Russia, in the station "MDZhB”, which no one has claimed ownership of. The report from the BBC speculates that it is connected to a Perimeter automatic nuclear retaliatory "dead man's switch" system, ensuring a retaliatory response in case of a decapitation strike."There’s absolutely no information in the signal," said David Stupples, Professor of Electronics and Radio Systems, City University London.However, some people claim that it is another psyops mission by Russia's deep state, following the setback faced by the Ukrainian drone strike. Because Russian mouthpiece Russia Today was calling it Doomsday, intentionally, instead of Buzzer or UBV-76.&nbsp;

a list connecting with the time of the transmission and major developments surrounding Russia in geopolitics.

Another claims that if it were top secret, then no one would be able to tune in and listen to it.&nbsp;Another drew up a list connecting with the time of the transmission and major developments surrounding Russia in geopolitics. Despite numerous theories, there is no definitive explanation about the Doomsday StationThousands of fans of the Buzzer or UVB-76, there is not even an ounce of credible information that can be attributed to it, and this just feeds into its legend. The resurgence in frequent activities of UVB-76 during pivotal moments in 2025 does make these conspiracy theories more captivating.

The legend of doomsday radio has resurfaced again as Russian state-sponsored media, Russia Today, posts about the scheduling of transmission coinciding with the timing of White House Call between Trump and Putin.

The urban legend of UVB-76 or the Doomsday Radio refuses to die. On June 4, 2025, the station broadcast codewords "azotobak" and “osholin” from 4625 kHz frequency, as Trump and Putin discussed on a phone call about a possible retaliation by Russia against Ukraine. The broadcast is cryptic and has no widely accepted public meaning. Notably, this station also broadcast twice during the last White House call on May 19. What followed is a mixture of paranoia, speculation and renewed obsession with one of the Cold War's most persistent conspiracy theories, a radio signal that has a digital cult.

The legend of doomsday radio has resurfaced again as Russian state-sponsored media, Russia Today, posts about the scheduling of transmission coinciding with the timing of White House Call between Trump and Putin.

Russia's doomsday radio is transmitting again and no one knows why

Ukraine's "audacious" drone attack on Russian bombers showed "skill and audacity" and was comparable to the US operation to kill Osama Bin Laden, US Senator Richard Blumenthal told Politico in an interview.Ukraine on Sunday (June 1) announced that it had successfully undertaken a stealth operation inside Russian enemy lines.The US senator stressed that Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, was "one of the great military achievements in recent years.""Just in the skill and audacity of these attacks, it will rank with the United States raid on Osama bin Laden and the Israeli pager operation as one of the great military achievements in recent years," Blumenthal said, adding that Ukraine "can hit anywhere."Ukraine's security agency said 117 drones were smuggled into Russia over a year and simultaneously struck airfields in at least four regions thousands of kilometres from the Ukrainian border.Bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaeda terror group responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, was killed by US special forces in Pakistan in 2011.Notably, Blumenthal is a co-sponsor of a new bill that would impose additional sanctions on Russia as it continues to reject a ceasefire with Ukraine.Operation Spiderweb was a result of 18 months of planning and involved the smuggling of drones into Russia, synchronised launch timings, and improvised control centres hidden inside freight vehicles.The operation was reportedly overseen by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk.Ukraine claimed the estimated cost of the enemy’s strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU’s special operation, was $7 billion.A total of 117 drones were deployed across five locations. However, many were likely to be intercepted, or fell short, but enough of those reached their targets to signal a breach in Russia's rear-area defence.

The US senator stressed that Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, was "one of the great military achievements in recent years."

Ukraine's "audacious" drone attack on Russian bombers showed "skill and audacity" and was comparable to the US operation to kill Osama Bin Laden, US Senator Richard Blumenthal told Politico in an interview. Ukraine on Sunday (June 1) announced that it had successfully undertaken a stealth operation inside Russian enemy lines. The US senator stressed that Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, was "one of the great military achievements in recent years." "Just in the skill and audacity of these attacks, it will rank with the United States raid on Osama bin Laden and the Israeli pager operation as one of the great military achievements in recent years," Blumenthal said, adding that Ukraine "can hit anywhere." Ukraine's security agency said 117 drones were smuggled into Russia over a year and simultaneously struck airfields in at least four regions thousands of kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaeda terror group responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, was killed by US special forces in Pakistan in 2011. Notably, Blumenthal is a co-sponsor of a new bill that would impose additional sanctions on Russia as it continues to reject a ceasefire with Ukraine. Operation Spiderweb was a result of 18 months of planning and involved the smuggling of drones into Russia, synchronised launch timings, and improvised control centres hidden inside freight vehicles. The operation was reportedly overseen by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk. Ukraine claimed the estimated cost of the enemy’s strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU’s special operation, was $7 billion. A total of 117 drones were deployed across five locations. However, many were likely to be intercepted, or fell short, but enough of those reached their targets to signal a breach in Russia's rear-area defence.

The US senator stressed that Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, was "one of the great military achievements in recent years."

Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb as BIG as Bin Laden's killing? Here's what US senator said

US President Donald Trump has revealed he held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over an hour, discussing Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airfields and rising concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared details of the call, which lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” he wrote.<h2>Putin vows response to drone strikes on airfields</h2>During the phone call, Putin reportedly spoke strongly about Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airbases, part of what has been called ‘Operation Spiderweb’. Trump said, “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”<h2>Trump says Putin willing to join nuclear talks with Iran</h2>Trump also brought up the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stressing the urgency of reaching a decision. “I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” Trump wrote.He added that Putin appeared open to helping resolve the matter. “President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” he added.Trump further added, “It is my opinion that Iran has been slow-walking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!”<h2>Ceasefire hopes fade as Putin rejects Ukraine truce</h2>Meanwhile, Russia seemingly dismissed a full ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin rejected the proposal, saying it would give Kyiv a chance to rearm and regroup.“Why reward them by giving them a break from the combat, which will be used to pump the regime with Western arms, to continue their forced mobilisation and to prepare different terrorist acts,” Putin said during a televised government meeting&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared details of the call, which lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” he wrote.

US President Donald Trump has revealed he held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over an hour, discussing Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airfields and rising concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared details of the call, which lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” he wrote. Putin vows response to drone strikes on airfields During the phone call, Putin reportedly spoke strongly about Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airbases, part of what has been called ‘Operation Spiderweb’. Trump said, “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.” Trump says Putin willing to join nuclear talks with Iran Trump also brought up the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stressing the urgency of reaching a decision. “I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” Trump wrote. He added that Putin appeared open to helping resolve the matter. “President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” he added. Trump further added, “It is my opinion that Iran has been slow-walking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Ceasefire hopes fade as Putin rejects Ukraine truce Meanwhile, Russia seemingly dismissed a full ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin rejected the proposal, saying it would give Kyiv a chance to rearm and regroup. “Why reward them by giving them a break from the combat, which will be used to pump the regime with Western arms, to continue their forced mobilisation and to prepare different terrorist acts,” Putin said during a televised government meeting on Wednesday.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared details of the call, which lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” he wrote.

‘Not a call for immediate peace’: Trump holds talks with Putin, says Russia 'will have to respond' to Ukraine's Operation Spider Web