Newsletter 05/06/2026
185 soldiers, one civilian return from Russian captivity;
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Zelensky: 185 soldiers, one civilian return from Russian captivity
"Another 185 Ukrainian defenders are returning home today from Russian captivity. One civilian is also returning along with the defenders. They are warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine – privates, sergeants, and officers. They defended our state in Mariupol and at Azovstal, as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kursk sectors," he said.
Zelensky writes letter to Putin, proposes personal meeting to end war
“Enough of war. Ukraine proposes to end this war. This must be done honestly, with dignity, and with guarantees that the war will not be reignited. We see that the United States is fully focused on the issue of Iran, and it would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention. Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” the letter states.
Zelensky said such a meeting could take place in third countries that traditionally serve as venues for international negotiations, including Switzerland, Türkiye, or countries of the Arab world. He stressed that he does not consider either Moscow or Kyiv suitable locations for the talks.
The Ukrainian President also declared Ukraine’s readiness to implement a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiation process. He noted that international partners, including the United States, could help monitor compliance with a truce.
Zelensky further claimed that, according to intelligence assessments, Putin is planning military actions extending into 2027–2028, intends to draw Belarus more deeply into the war, and is “playing some kind of game with Transnistria.”
“If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence. We will have those who support us. But you, too, will have to fight much harder for your own existence — not Russia’s, but your own. And this is not a threat from me or from Ukraine. It is a fact of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows tired, change comes. We can work toward that fatigue. You can stop your war,” Zelensky wrote.
The Ukrainian President called for setting a specific date for negotiations and involving international partners, including the United States and European countries, as potential security guarantors.
Zelensky also stated that Ukraine is prepared for a large-scale prisoner exchange under an “all-for-all” formula and insists on the return of Ukrainian civilians and children taken from the country during the war.
Putin responds to Zelensky’s letter: ‘I see no point in meeting’
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he currently sees no point in meeting personally with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the open letter Zelensky recently addressed to him.
Ukraine confirms naval drone reached Romania due to enemy EWs measures
While carrying out missions in the Black Sea operational zone, one of the Ukrainian Navy’s unmanned surface vessels lost control due to enemy electronic warfare (EW) measures and ended up off the coast of Romania.
Russian drone strike on food plant in Kyiv region kills four, injures seven
A Russian drone attack on a food processing enterprise in the Brovary district, Kyiv region, on the morning of June 5 has left four people dead and seven injured, while rescuers continue searching for two people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Zelensky calls for pressure on Russia to end war after strike on food plant in Kyiv region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia must be forced to end its war against Ukraine and return to diplomacy following a strike on a food production facility in the Kyiv region that left at least four people dead.
Special restrictions to be applied to Russian citizens visiting Ukraine after war – Sybiha
Special restrictive procedures and measures will be applied to Russian citizens who seek to visit Ukraine after the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
War
Ukrainian forces hit five Russian cargo vessels overnight
Operators from the First Separate Center of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck five Russian cargo vessels in a single night.
Shellings
IAEA secures ceasefire for repairs to power line supplying ZNPP
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Friday, June 5, that it had brokered a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, which will allow for repairs to the power line leading to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
Russian drone strikes Ukrainian Red Cross vehicles, one employee injured
Russian drone destroys house in Chernihiv region, killing man
Injury toll in Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to 16
Politics
German foreign minister urges Putin to begin peace talks with Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war against Ukraine, while stressing that Europe must play a central role in any future peace process.
EU begins formal process to open accession negotiation cluster for Ukraine
The Council of the European Union has officially launched the process of formally opening Cluster 1, “Fundamentals,” in accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Ukraine open to joint defense projects with Slovakia — FM Sybiha
The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia, Andrii Sybiha and Juraj Blanár, discussed deepening cooperation in the defense industry.
Geopolotics
Babis says he discussed Azerbaijani oil and gas transit with Zelensky in Yerevan
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has said that he discussed the transit of Azerbaijani oil and gas through Ukrainian territory with President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Yerevan.
EU preparing over €50M for Armenia, planning to buy goods blocked by Russia
The European Union is preparing more than €50 million in financial assistance for Armenia and will begin purchasing Armenian goods whose imports have been blocked by Russia ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.
Economy
Council of Europe says it is helping Ukraine prepare next stage of decentralization reform
The Council of Europe has said it is helping Ukraine prepare the next stage of its decentralization reform, as well as future elections and the transition to civilian governance in liberated and frontline areas.
Europe allocates nearly EUR 1.6B for drones for Ukraine in first four months of 2026
European countries have significantly increased funding for unmanned systems for Ukrainian forces, allocating approximately EUR 1.6 billion to this area between January and April 2026.
US House of Representatives advances new Ukraine aid package
On Wednesday, six Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on military aid for Ukraine, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s policy after he had previously refused U.S. support for Kyiv.