Newsletter 03/06/2026
Ukraine spends $45-50B annually on domestic weapons production. Orban personally ordered seizure of Ukrainian cash couriers in Hungary. Ukraine plans to intensify its responses to Russian attacks.
TOP
Ukraine spends $45-50B annually on domestic weapons production – Zelensky
“Ukraine is currently directing around $45-50 billion a year to weapons production. We have managed to reach what I consider a very high level. We have the funds to finance the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We must ensure this sufficient level both for production and for the army, not only for now, for these years, but also over the longer term. This is an ambitious task. It is a real and effective security guarantee for Ukraine, for our people, and for our independence,” the head of state made the remarks during a joint press briefing with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv on Wednesday.
He described such funding as unprecedented in Ukraine’s history, noting that $45-50 billion a year is being spent solely on weapons of all types produced in Ukraine.
“We discussed with Mark all the things that can provide Ukraine with more long-term financial security guarantees. We will work on this at both the G7 Summit and the NATO Summit in Ankara, a very important summit. I am grateful to Mark for the invitation to this summit,” he said.
Zelensky: Ukraine plans to intensify its responses to Russian attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine’s long-range strikes on targets inside Russia are a justified response to Russia’s large-scale attacks against Ukraine and that Kyiv intends to increase the scale of such responses.
Rutte says deliveries of PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine continue ‘each day and each week’
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that deliveries of U.S.-made PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine are continuing “ each day and each week.”
Rutte noted that PAC-3 interceptor missiles are extremely important for air defense and that “you always want the overall volume to be bigger than it is.”
“The good news is that the flow of these crucial interceptors continues from the United States to Ukraine continues each day and each week,” Rutte said.
He added that funding for the purchase of these missiles is available and that many allies have already expressed their readiness to continue allocating the necessary funds.
According to Rutte, there is always a risk that intensive combat operations could affect existing stocks of interceptor missiles.
“This is not having an immediate impact on PURL now. Maybe somewhere in the future, but not now. We are doing everything to make sure the production is ramped up, to make sure that whatever we still have in our stocks in Europe and the U.S. we are able to supply, and where we can find new ways of defending ourselves – and Ukraine is taking the initiative here together with its European allies and our allies all over the NATO alliance – we will do it,” Rutte said.
Rutte warns young Russians against joining war: ‘You’ll be left to suffer in the mud and die’
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has highlighted Russia’s “absolutely staggering” losses in its war against Ukraine and warned young Russians against joining the hostilities.
Rutte pointed to Russia’s substantial losses – more than 30,000 – saying that Russia loses more soldiers in one month than the Soviet Union lost in ten years of the war in Afghanistan.
“I have to say something here. But I need to say it to young Russians and their families. You’re being sold a raw deal. Men like you who join the fight – you won’t be trained. The equipment they’ll provide you is substandard. There is a very high chance you’ll die or be wounded while you’re out there – and odds are that if you are wounded, you’ll be left to suffer in the mud and die,” he warned.
Hungary lifts block on Ukraine arms reimbursements – Politico
A Hungarian ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee reportedly announced the change in Budapest’s position on Monday, according to an official present at the meeting. Five additional Brussels diplomats confirmed the information.
The European Peace Facility (EPF) is an off-budget EU instrument that reimburses member states for around 40% of the cost of weapons provided to Ukraine from their own stockpiles. Because foreign policy decisions in the EU require unanimity, Hungary had long blocked the mechanism.
Due to Budapest’s position, more than €40 billion in reimbursement payments accumulated within the fund, frustrating major donor countries including Germany and the Netherlands and prompting Brussels to seek alternative ways to ensure continued arms and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine.
Hungary’s decision to unblock the EPF allows for the immediate release of €6.6 billion in compensation, with further funds expected to be made available later, the report said.
ISW analyzes Putin’s goals behind June 2 mass strike on Ukraine
Russia’s mass strike on Ukraine on the night of June 1 to 2 was aimed at taking advantage of Patriot interceptor shortages and distract from Russia’s inability to secure its deep rear from Ukrainian long-range strikes, as well as from its battlefield setbacks.
🕯 Dnipro is in mourning today for the victims of the Russian attack on June 2, which claimed the lives of 16 people
Citizens bring flowers and toys to the scene of the death near the four-story building.
Politics
Patriot procurement must be accelerated or there will be personnel decisions, Zelensky warns
President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded faster implementation of an agreement to purchase Patriot air defense systems, warning that delays could lead to serious personnel consequences for responsible officials.
“We have an agreement at the highest political level on the purchase of Patriot systems, and this agreement is awaiting implementation at the financial, legal, and technical levels. The wait has taken too long,” said Zelensky announced the decision on Facebook following a meeting on additional ways to supply Ukraine with air defense systems and missiles..
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security and Defense Council, and the diplomatic team of the Office of the President.
“The task is absolutely clear: to speed up this Patriot contract, and the involved officials are personally responsible. The funds from the EUR 90 billion European support package along with our other financial resources, must be used as quickly as possible to fulfill the very tasks that ensure the protection of Ukrainian lives,” Zelensky stressed.
The President noted that, as of now, even the legal procedures required for the contract have not yet been completed.
“I have set a final deadline – one week for all preparatory steps. I expect a report on Friday: either clarity regarding the implementation of our agreement on the Patriot systems, or serious personnel decisions,” he said.
Ukraine to send experts to Baltic states, Romania to share counter-drone experience – Zelensky
Ukraine is preparing teams of experts to travel to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Romania to share its experience in responding to drone threats, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Orban personally ordered seizure of Ukrainian cash couriers in Hungary – media
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban personally ordered the seizure of vehicles and cash-in-transit staff of Ukraine’s Oschadbank in March, according to reports.
Hungarian outlet Telex, citing several people familiar with the situation, reported that Orban – then in the midst of a failing anti-Ukrainian election campaign – personally ordered the seizure of two Oschadbank vans transporting around $80 million in cash and 9 kilograms of gold. The vehicles were reportedly traveling from Austria through Hungary to Ukraine. According to the publication, the Prime Minister’s office, which oversaw the intelligence services, was behind the operation.
Orban’s spokesperson Bertalan Havasi said in a comment that members of the former government had always upheld the law, and that authorities acted legally in the seizure.
Current Prime Minister Péter Magyar has already reacted to the media reports, saying that Orban should be held accountable for how he managed the intelligence services.
“Viktor Orbán personally exercised direct control over law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He could decide whether raids would take place or investigations would be delayed,” Magyar wrote on X on Wednesday.
Magyar, whose Tisza party won an absolute majority in parliament, has pledged to dismantle Orban’s authoritarian and corrupt 16-year system. He has already set up parliamentary investigative committee to shine a light on the workings of Orban’s self-styled illiberal system. Plans also include removing political loyalists like the country’s president, chief prosecutor and top justices, declassifying contracts and creating an agency to recoup plundered state assets. Magyar has promised to hold those responsible accountable.
Greece issues demarche to Ukraine over sea drone
Greece has issued a formal diplomatic complaint to Ukraine over the sea drone that was discovered last month on the country’s western coastline.
The protest to Kyiv was announced by Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou during a press briefing on Wednesday.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, an unmanned sea vessel was found on May 7 by fishermen in waters near the southern part of the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. It was handed over to the Greek Coast Guard, which launched an investigation. The drone was later identified as a Magura V5.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said on May 12 that Ukraine currently has no information about the drone found in Greece and is ready to cooperate in the investigation if an official request is received from the Greek side.
Ukraine, Azerbaijan discuss expanding energy transport routes via Ukrainian infrastructure – Shmyhal
Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held talks with Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov on developing energy transport routes, including supplies to EU countries using Ukraine’s infrastructure.
War
Russia can produce around 120 ballistic missiles per month – Zelensky
Russia is capable of producing around 120 ballistic missiles per month, which enables it to carry out several large-scale mass attacks in addition to its ongoing missile terror, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky confirms strikes on multiple targets inside Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck several high-value targets on Russian territory, including an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, targets at the Kronstadt naval base, and an industrial site in the Tambov region.
Ukraine records 237 Russian chemical-agent attacks in May
Russian forces used hazardous chemical substances on the battlefield 237 times in May, according to Ukraine’s military.
Military analyst says Ukraine may be gaining tactical initiative on battlefield
The front line in Russia’s war against Ukraine has become stabilized, and the ratio of combat engagements indicates that Ukraine’s Defense Forces are gaining tactical initiative.
Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery struck by Neptune missile system – Ukrainian Navy
The Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region was struck by a Ukrainian Neptune coastal missile system.
Ukrainian commander shows strike on Russian corvette in Kronstadt
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Robert Brovdi, has released footage showing pilots of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces striking the Russian corvette Boykiy in the port of Kronstadt.
Russia’s largest Baltic oil terminal on fire in St. Petersburg after drone attack
During the night of June 3, drones reportedly attacked Russia’s largest oil terminal on the Baltic Sea in St. Petersburg, as well as a military plant in the Tambov region.
Kremlin pushes Russian youth toward army instead of universities – CCD
In Russia, access to humanities and social education is being deliberately reduced, while benefits are being expanded for those who go to fight against Ukraine.
Ukraine war update: 263 clashes in past 24 hours, heaviest fighting in Huliaipole, Pokrovsk sectors
Russian army loses 1,130 troops, three air defense systems in war against Ukraine over past day
Shellings
Russian strikes on Kramatorsk kill three, injure four
Russian forces carried out two strikes on the city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region on the evening of June 3, killing three people and injuring four others.
Russian strike on farm in Kharkiv region leaves two civilians killed, three injured
One civilian killed, another injured in Russian attacks on Donetsk region
Russian drone attack in Odesa region injures two men, damages civilian infrastructure
Defense
Zelensky says Norway ready to help supply air defense systems
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that during his conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre they discussed air defense supplies and the development of an anti-ballistic defense program.
Geopolotics
Estonia to stop recognizing Russian non-biometric diplomatic passports starting from September
From September 1 this year, Estonia will stop recognizing Russian-issued non-biometric diplomatic and service passports for crossing EU borders and for visa processing.
Society
Zelensky, Rutte honor fallen Ukrainian warriors in Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and representatives of NATO member states paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian service members at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv.
Mandatory evacuation zone expanded in Kharkiv region to evacuate more than 7,100 people
Due to intensified Russian shelling in the Bohodukhiv district of Kharkiv region, the mandatory evacuation zone has been expanded - it now covers more than seven thousand residents.
Security
SSU announces suspicion notices against three organizers of illegal voting in occupied parts of Luhansk region
The Security Service of Ukraine has notified in absentia three more accomplices of the enemy of suspicion for facilitating the pseudo-referendum and the “election of the President of the Russian Federation” in temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region.