Newsletter 12/06/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Russian military losses in Ukraine exceed one million since full-scale invasion
The total combat losses of Russian troops from February 24, 2022, to June 12, 2025, in the war against Ukraine amount to approximately 1 million 340 people, of which 1,140 were lost in the past 24 hours.
Ukraine conducts second exchange of severely wounded POWs — Zelensky
"Our people are coming home. Today, warriors of our Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service are back home. They all require medical treatment, and they will certainly receive the care they need," Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s HUR hackers crash Siberian internet on Russia Day
“HUR’s cyber specialists, with support from cyber activists, carried out a successful operation and paralyzed the operations of one of the largest internet providers in Russian Siberia – Orion Telecom,” the source said.
According to the source, Russian security forces actively use Orion Telecom’s networks to support aggression against Ukraine.
As a result of the HUR’s hacking operation, a closed city specializing in uranium extraction was left without connectivity — Orion Telecom was the only provider operating there.
From early morning, local social media groups in Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Bratsk, and Abakan were flooded with complaints from angry Russians about the lack of internet and television services.
A letter allegedly sent by Ukrainian hackers to the internet provider has been circulating in local Telegram channels. It reads:
“Happy holiday, unrespected Russians — soon you’ll be living in the Stone Age, and we’ll help you get there. Glory to Ukraine!”
The message is signed by activists from the hacker group BO Team.
The company confirmed they were experiencing technical difficulties due to a powerful DDoS attack, promising to restore internet access by the end of the day.
Ukrainian forces hit high-value Rezonit military factory near Moscow
The Rezonit plant in Moscow region, which was struck by Ukraine’s Defense Forces in the early hours of Thursday, June 12, was involved in manufacturing components for Russian missiles and UAVs.
“The Rezonit plant in Moscow region, located in the Zubovo tech park — a high-value target roughly 40 km from central Moscow — was hit. The tech park houses companies engaged in developing and modernizing electronics, microchips, navigation systems, and components for missile and naval weaponry,” Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) noted.
He noted that Rezonit specializes in the production of multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs), flexible and rigid-flex boards, and high-precision microelectronics. The boards produced there are integrated into flight control, navigation, targeting, and data transmission systems.
Fourteen injured in overnight drone attack on Kharkiv
Overnight, the enemy attacked Kharkiv using drones. Fires broke out in the Saltivskyi, Slobidskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts -- homes, shops, and vehicles were set ablaze. Fourteen people were injured, including four children.
Germany's support for Ukraine could reach EUR 9B this year – Pistorius
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that the original amount of assistance was set at EUR 4 billion but was increased by another EUR 3 billion in recent months.
"We also intend to add EUR 1.9 billion more, though that decision has not been made yet," he said.
According to him, part of the funding will go toward supporting the production of Ukrainian long-range weapons, which are expected to be available "in the near future."
At the same time, Pistorius said that the German government is currently not considering the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces in Sumy region gradually pushing back Russians – Zelensky
"Today I received a report from Commander-in-Chief [Oleksandr] Syrskyi. The front — primarily the Pokrovsk sector, the Kursk operation, and the border areas of the Sumy region. Our units in the Sumy region are gradually pushing the occupiers back. Thank you," he said.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to every Ukrainian soldier, sergeant, and officer for this progress, and to all units involved: "Thank you to everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!"
War
Restart of ZNPP reactors possible only after return to Ukrainian control – IAEA
A joint statement by 48 IAEA member states was read out at a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, declaring that any restart of the reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) can only take place once the facility is returned to Ukraine's control.
MP clarifies roles for contract soldiers aged 60+, says “not about storming”
Persons who have reached the age limit for military service and sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine will mainly perform tasks at the strategic and operational-strategic levels.
After Operation Spiderweb, Russia relocated its strategic aviation to Far East
On Thursday morning, the last of the three Tu-160s flew out of the Olenia airbase in the Murmansk region, which had previously been their base. On Saturday morning, all Tu-95MS aircraft also flew out of the airfield near Murmansk.
Two more Tu-160 bombers were stationed in Anadyr (Chukotka). Three Tu-160s, including one undergoing modernization, were stationed at the Borisoglebsk airfield in Tatarstan.
There were three Tu-160s at the Elizovo airfield (Kamchatka).
The day after the attack by Ukrainian drones, 11 Tu-22M3 bombers were sent from the Olenia airbase to the Ukrainka airfield in the Amur region, AviVector reported last Tuesday.
According to analysts, four Tu-95MS bombers from the Engels-2 military airfield in the Saratov region also headed there.
Six Tu-22M3 bombers flew to the Engels-2 base on Saturday night.
Four Tu-22M3s landed on Monday at the Mozdok airbase in North Ossetia, which has recently been virtually unused by Russian aviation. Four more Tu-22M3s were spotted by satellites at the Borisoglebskoe airfield in Tatarstan.
Two more bodies found at Russian-struck industrial site in Kharkiv
Emergency crews discovered the bodies of two more workers at an industrial facility in Kharkiv on the morning of June 12, according to the Main Department of the State Emergency Service in the Kharkiv region.
UK intel: Russia’s bloodiest war since WWII with 500,000 irrecoverable losses
Russians pushing toward Dyliivka, Yablunivka in Toretsk sector – military
No threat of frontline breakthrough in Kharkiv region – Russian forces suffering heavy losses, say military
Russian forces attempting to seize foothold near Orikhiv – military
Defense
Zelensky: Ukraine, Germany agree on three-year supply of Iris-T air defense systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an agreement on the supply of Iris-T air defense systems from Germany over the next three years.
Ministry of Strategic Industries explains rising partner interest in Ukrainian defense sector
Ukraine's partners are extremely interested in cooperating with domestic arms manufacturers, as they recognize the superiority of modern Ukrainian technologies in the production of certain types of weapons.
Ukraine ready to increase drone production by 40% this year but lacks funding – Zelensky
The Ukrainian industry has the capacity to increase drone production by 40% this year, but lacks the necessary funds to do so.
Politics
General McMaster: Ukraine war outcome will shape strategy of aggressor axis
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and former National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster suggested that Russia's war against Ukraine is closely tied to a broader campaign by a coalition of authoritarian states, which continue to support Moscow and share a goal of reshaping the global order toward an authoritarian model of governance.
General McMaster says Russia's manpower far from unlimited
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and former National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster said that Russia's ability to continue sending people into the war is not limitless, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to replenish the losses of trained military personnel, especially among junior officers.
Economy
IMF urges Ukraine, creditors to advance debt negotiations in line with program targets
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects that the Ukrainian authorities and their creditors will make progress in debt restructuring talks in line with the debt sustainability targets set out in the IMF program.