Newsletter 02/06/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
SSU shoots down 41 strategic aviation aircraft at four airfields in Russia's rear - Maliuk
The Security Service of Ukraine conducted an unprecedented and unique special operation to simultaneously destroy four military airfields in the rear of the Russian Federation.
According to Maliuk, the drone strikes hit 41 aircraft, including A-50s, Tu-95s, Tu-22 M3s, and Tu-160s.
"The destruction of enemy bombers is a task set by the President of Ukraine, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Volodymyr Zelensky. He personally supervised the course of the special operation, which was prepared by the Security Service. The enemy has been bombing our country almost every night from these aircraft, and today they actually felt that "retaliation is inevitable". The SSU is doing and will continue to do everything possible to protect Ukraine and stop Russian shelling," stated by the head of the special service, Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk.
As a result, the SSU drones worked on targets at four Russian military airfields at once - Belaya, Diagilevo, Olenya and Ivanovo - and thanks to the plan, the largest number of enemy aircraft was hit at once.
"In total, 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit. It was not just a crushing blow to enemy aircraft, but a serious slap in the face to the power and terrorist nature of the Russian Federation," emphasized Maliuk.
The estimated cost of the destroyed enemy strategic aircraft is over USD 7 billion.
Thus, first, the SSU sent fpv drones to Russia, and later - mobile wooden houses. Already on the territory of the Russian Federation, the drones were hidden under the roofs of the houses, placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit the designated targets - Russian bombers.
"In accordance with the laws and customs of war, we have worked out absolutely legitimate targets - military airfields and aircraft that bomb our peaceful cities. So we are actually demilitarizing the Russian Federation, because we are destroying military targets. And our strikes will continue as long as Russia terrorizes Ukrainians with missiles and shaheds," Maliuk said.
Zelensky: "Spiderweb" Ukraine’s own operation
“Yesterday, Ukraine conducted the operation. We are grateful to our partners, but the operation ("Spiderweb" - ed.) was conducted independently," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that the purpose of the mission was to hit the Russian military targets from where they attack Ukraine.
The President also noted that this is not the first operation of this type performed by Ukrainian security agencies.
"Before that, there was a combat operation, a one-timer, where 400 drones simultaneously hit military targets. By the way, more than 40 types of various equipment were also (hit): artillery, air defense systems, armored vehicles, and tanks were destroyed in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine," the President said.
Umerov outlines outcomes of Ukraine-Russia talks
Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation and Minister of Defense, stated following negotiations with the Russian side mediated by Türkiye in Istanbul, that three key points were discussed: a ceasefire, exchange of prisoners and return of children, and a meeting of leaders.
“Today we held another meeting with the Russian delegation. Ukraine came with three clear agenda points, defined by President Zelensky.
First, a ceasefire. We insist on a full and unconditional halt to killings immediately. Our proposal is for an unconditional ceasefire in the air, at sea, and on land — for at least 30 days. This position has remained unchanged for three months, and we see it as the basis for starting a peaceful resolution,” Umerov stated.
The second point, according to him, is the release of our people.
“We insist on the release of all prisoners and the return of abducted children. On the issue of prisoners of war, we agreed to focus on specific categories rather than numbers,” said the Minister of Defense.
Earlier, Umerov noted that an agreement was reached on exchanging all severely wounded and critically ill prisoners of war, as well as young soldiers aged 18 to 25, on an “all for all” basis. Additionally, both sides agreed to exchange the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers each.
“Regarding the children, we handed over a list of several hundred Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia. This is a fundamental priority for us. If Russia is truly committed to the peace process, the return of even half the children from that list would be a positive signal,” Umerov emphasized.
The third agenda item, he said, was a leaders’ meeting. The Ukrainian delegation proposed holding this meeting sometime between June 20 and 30.
“We have long told Russia: ‘This war must end.’ And the entire world supports us in this. We are calling for real efforts to stop this war. The first essential steps are clear to everyone: a ceasefire, humanitarian actions, and preparation for a leaders’ summit.
If Russia is serious about ending the war, it will move in this direction. If not, international sanctions must be applied,” Umerov concluded.
Ukraine, Russia agree on "all-for-all" swap for two categories of POWs
"We agreed on the all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war. The second category is young soldiers aged 18 to 25, also all-for-all. We also agreed on the repatriation of 6,000 bodies for 6,000 perished soldiers," This was announced by the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Vadym Skibitsky noted that "new progress has been achieved today."
"This is the so-called ‘all for all’ formula. Today we agreed on two categories that will be subject to return to their Homeland. We agreed on the mechanisms. We have determined the tentative terms of this exchange and we have hard work ahead of us, because it will be necessary to do a lot of verification – not to lose anyone, not to forget anyone," he said.
Ukrainian Ground Forces commander resigns over deadly training ground strike
Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, has submitted his resignation.
"I have made the decision to submit my resignation from the post of Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is a conscious step, driven by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy at the 239th training range, which resulted in the deaths of our soldiers. As commander, I failed to fully ensure the implementation of my orders. I didn't push hard enough, didn't persuade strongly enough, didn't change the attitude toward the people in uniform. This is my responsibility," Drapatyi said.
In his opinion, while individual soldier behavior matters, ultimate responsibility always lies with command. It is the commanders, he said, who set the rules, make decisions, and bear the consequences.
On June 1, Russian forces launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian Ground Forces training unit. Twelve people were killed and another 60 injured in the attack.
Drapatyi was appointed Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in late November 2024 and officially took up the post in December.
Zelensky announces new defense packages following Vilnius Summit
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during the Bucharest Nine summit, held today in Vilnius, decisions were made to allocate new aid packages for Ukraine.
“Today, we agreed with our partners on several joint decisions that will strengthen our defense even more. I thank everyone for your willingness to help. There will be new packages, there will be new investments in Ukraine’s weapons production, especially drones,” Zelensky said.
The President emphasized that Ukraine is capable of producing much more weaponry. At the same time, he noted, partners who invest in Ukraine's defense industry will gain priority access to replenishing their arsenals after the war.
Bucharest Nine, Nordic countries to continue support of Ukraine
The countries of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries will continue to provide Ukraine with political, military, economic, and humanitarian support to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.
“We will continue our political, military, economic and humanitarian support to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to reach a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law,” joint statement of the leaders at the Vilnius Summit reads.
The document also emphasizes that the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague must demonstrate the Alliance’s unwavering support and commitment to Ukraine.
The document also emphasizes that the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague must demonstrate the Alliance’s unwavering support and commitment to Ukraine.
“We stand firm on Allied decision and commitment regarding Ukraine’s irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements and to decide its own future, free from outside interference,” the statement says.
The leaders also committed to strengthening efforts to deter Russia, including its ability to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine, by stepping up pressure on Russia, including through sanctions.
“We will work continuously to ensure Russia’s international accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine as well as the war crimes and all atrocities. Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war,” the declaration states.
War
SBGS told about new “trick” of Russians to launch drones along border of Ukraine
In the border villages on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Russian military is punching holes in the roofs of residential buildings and launching drones from there.
Border guard scouts of the Steel Frontier identified several such points and sent “precise FPV greetings” to them.
Ukrainian border guards destroy Russian D-30 howitzer, eliminate several occupiers in Zaporizhzhia sector
Ukrainian border guards have destroyed a Russian 122mm D-30 howitzer, two enemy shelters, and eliminated several Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia sector, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard Service.
ISW: Ukraine forced to choose which areas to protect with Patriots amid Russia’s combined attacks
Analysts recalled that on the night of May 31 to June 1, the Russian army launched its largest-to-date combined attack involving drones and missiles. According to the Air Force, the Russians launched three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, four Kh-101 and Iskander-K air- and ground-based cruise missiles, as well as 472 Shahed drones.
Ukraine intercepted three Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles, also neutralizing 213 UAVs, while another 172 drones were “lost” or suppressed by Ukrainian electronic warfare.
ISW experts note the fact that the Ukrainian army was unable to shoot down any of the three ballistic missiles Russia launched that night.
“Ukrainian forces have struggled to intercept ballistic missiles due to the limited supply of US-made Patriot air defense systems and interceptors. ISW continues to assess that Russia's ballistic missile strikes are forcing Ukraine to make difficult decisions about which areas of Ukraine to protect with its limited Patriot systems,” the summary states.
Latest Russian air raid involves 4 Iskanders, 80 drones
Russia significantly increases drone, missile strikes on southern front – military
Ukrainian border guards destroy two Russian IFVs in Kupiansk sector
Russia intends to formally map temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - intelligence
Ukrainian air defense destroyed over 4,500 Russian drones, missiles in May — Air Force
Russian intel actively trying to recruit Ukrainians living in Europe - HUR
Russian intelligence agencies have intensified attempts to recruit Ukrainian nationals in order to engage them in illegal activities across the European Union.
Potential perpetrators are offered rewards for taking part in illegal activities, conducting surveillance of critical infrastructure facilities, and performing other tasks.
These are mainly displaced Ukrainians originally from temporarily occupied territories who found themselves in a difficult situation.
Politics
U.S. at UNSC: "Putin should take the deal" on an immediate unconditional ceasefire
Two United Nations Security Council meetings on May 29 and 30 marked significant changes in the United States' rhetoric regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. Statements by Acting Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Kelley on Thursday, convened at Ukraine's request, and Political Adviser Anton Jongeneel on Friday—when Russia organized a "mirror" discussion on the situation in Ukraine—reflect a more candid and unequivocal assessment of Moscow's actions. Not only as an aggressor but also as the main obstacle to peace.
Zelensky, Nausėda discuss second round of Ukraine-Russia talks
"I met in Vilnius with President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda. I informed him about the second round of negotiations that took place today in Istanbul. As long as there are no meaningful signals from Russia about ending the war, it is crucial to strengthen our defense and especially to invest in Ukrainian production. This is the foundation for peace talks. Thank you, Gitanas, and the Lithuanian people, for sharing this view," Zelensky noted.
Secretary Rubio reminds Lavrov that President Trump supports direct Ukraine – Russia talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the request of the Russian side.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, at Russia’s request. Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace,” stated U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.