The conflict in Ukraine has refocused on Kyiv and its surrounding region, which have been hit by a fresh wave of Russian drone attacks. Ukrainian officials report that three people have died and eight others have been injured in the capital region over the last day, with several civilian buildings and businesses suffering damage.
Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's regional administration, stated that warehouses and administrative buildings in the Brovary district, a home, a market, and several vehicles in Bucha, as well as industrial and agricultural facilities in other areas, were targeted. Ukrainian authorities assert that these were civilian targets.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Moscow launched a total of 165 attack drones overnight, including 79 jet-powered aircraft. Kyiv claims to have shot down or neutralized 112 of them by 7 a.m. Impacts were reported in 14 locations, while debris from intercepted drones fell in seven others.
Moscow, however, presents a narrative focused on military and strategic objectives. The Russian Defense Ministry announced strikes on logistics and communication centers, port infrastructure, and vessels used by Ukrainian forces. The Russian command also mentioned targeting data centers in Kyiv linked to telecom and internet service providers.
The Kremlin has issued a warning about the potential use of the Starlink satellite network for Ukrainian operations deep within Russian territory. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described such a scenario as 'very harmful, potentially dangerous, and irresponsible.' According to the initial report, Russian forces also bombed a data processing center near Kyiv connected to Starlink, the satellite network operated by SpaceX.
On the ground, Kyiv reports progress in the Donetsk region. Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine's Third Army Corps, announced the recapture of the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub, and Katerynivka in the Lyman area as part of the operation named 'Vivaldi.' Control has also been reestablished over the villages of Karpivka and Novomykhailivka. Biletsky claims that Ukrainian forces have reclaimed a total of 51 square kilometers of territory during this phase of the offensive.
Tensions are also rising between Russia and the European Union. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas has stated, citing intelligence, that Moscow is preparing further sabotage and attacks against European democracies. Kallas suggests the aim is to divide and intimidate European societies and reduce their support for Ukraine. These accusations are based on intelligence reports and were mentioned in the initial text.
Diplomatically, Turkey continues to keep communication channels open with the Kremlin. A source from the Ankara government indicated that high-level contacts with Moscow are not ruled out to address bilateral and regional issues, including the war in Ukraine and Black Sea security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has meanwhile called for greater international involvement, criticizing what he sees as a lack of a sufficiently 'firm and consistent' stance from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and some G20 and Global South countries. Zelensky believes these nations have leverage over Russia that could be used to promote a path to peace.
Preparations for a new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine are also underway. According to Kyrilo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, the exchange could take place as early as next week. Prisoner swaps remain one of the few areas where Moscow and Kyiv maintain direct cooperation.
The humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a town on the left bank of the Dnipro under Russian control since 2022 and located opposite Kherson, is particularly dire. According to a UN alert, at least 1,500 residents remain in the town, including around 40 children, according to Ukrainian sources. The population faces severe shortages of food, water, gas, electricity, and healthcare.
The last grocery store reportedly closed in January, with the last supplies arriving at the end of May. The local hospital, once a key resource for residents, is now reportedly out of medicine and fuel for generators and has begun turning away new patients.
As fighting and raids continue, the situation remains marked by three parallel fronts: military pressure on the ground, international political and diplomatic confrontation, and a humanitarian emergency that continues to affect civilians in the areas most directly impacted by the war.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati