Breaking news and comprehensive coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war, including military updates, diplomatic efforts, humanitarian crisis, and global impact.
Ukraine struck an oil refinery in Moscow with its largest drone attack since the war began, causing smoke and soot over the city. Defence Minister Fedorov said 'We are closing the beach season in Crimea' as forces target fuel supplies. Zelensky warned Moscow would burn if Ukraine burns.
Ukrainian forces hit the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant, one of the world's largest, and two satellite communications centers near Moscow and in the Vladimir region. In response, Moscow redeployed air defense systems from Russian regions to the capital and Crimea's Kerch Bridge, according to President Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian drone strikes on June 16 and 18 knocked out both primary processing units at the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya. Repairs will take at least six months, keeping the facility offline until at least the end of 2026. The refinery is a key fuel supplier for Moscow and the region.
Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,270 new Russian casualties in the past day, bringing total losses since the 2022 invasion to 1,397,060. Equipment losses include 12,057 tanks and 44,731 artillery systems.
Ukraine is pursuing defence and energy agreements at the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland. The conference aims to mobilize support for Ukraine's reconstruction amid ongoing conflict.
Ukraine launched over 300 drones at Russian regions and Crimea, knocking out power across Sevastopol. The city's Russian-appointed head confirmed the outage and urged residents to conserve phone battery. Local reports said three strikes hit the main electrical substation, causing a fire. Additionally, Ukraine struck an oil depot in Krasnodar Krai, causing a fire at the Poltavskaya oil depot.
President Zelensky said Ukraine's long-range campaign has forced Russia to redeploy air defenses to protect Moscow and the Kerch Bridge. Recent Ukrainian strikes in Crimea damaged S-400 and Pantsir-S1 systems, hit military airfields, and caused widespread power outages, making Crimea a 'zone of constant losses' for Russian forces.
Russian authorities are reportedly discussing a new wave of mobilization, possibly starting in October 2026 after the State Duma elections. Contract recruitment has fallen sharply, with only 800 per day signing in Q1 2026, the lowest in three years.
Ukrainian troops raised the national flag on the Kinburn Spit in Mykolaiv Oblast after Russian forces withdrew under heavy fire. The evacuation of surviving Russian personnel is ongoing. Russia had held the spit since March 2022.
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces destroyed a key railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal in a two-phase attack, cutting a vital Russian supply route. The operation also hit fuel reservoirs, gas distribution, and an electrical substation. Ukraine released drone video of the strike, with Defense Minister Federov saying the military is 'isolating Crimea with drones.'