Newsletter 18/06/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Canada adds over 100 individuals and entities to Russian sanctions list
Canada has significantly expanded its anti-Russian sanctions by imposing restrictions on more than a hundred individuals and entities, as well as announcing trade limitations with Russia.
It is noted that the new Canadian sanctions will target 77 individuals and 39 legal entities. Canada is also implementing sanctions on the trade of almost 1,000 new items with Russia, listing an additional 201 vessels and imposing new prohibitions on listed vessels to further constrain the activities of vessels that are part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
The new export restrictions include goods related to the production of chemical and biological weapons as well as industrial goods and advanced sensitive technologies with dual-use applications. New import restrictions apply to coal, metals and a variety of other goods through which Russia gains revenue from exporting overseas.
Additionally, Canada has banned its companies from providing any services to the sanctioned vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet, which now numbers over 300 ships.
Canadian sanctions have also affected three individuals and 14 institutions involved in the development of Russia’s quantum sector, as well as 29 individuals and six entities who have benefited from the war, including some of the wealthiest Russian industrialists, senior government officials and persons involved in the confiscation and redistribution of property and assets of foreign companies in Russia.
Zelensky summarizes G7 Summit: Leaders support President Trump’s efforts toward lasting peace
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
“G7 Leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They recognized that Ukraine has committed to an unconditional ceasefire, and they agreed that Russia must do the same. G7 Leaders are resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions,” Zelensky said.
He added that he held meetings with the leaders of the G7 countries and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss support for a strong and sovereign Ukraine, “including budgetary defense and recovery and reconstruction support”.
As Ukrinform previously reported, the G7 Summit in Canada is concluding today. On the sidelines of the event, Zelensky had planned a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, but the American leader left the summit early to address the crisis in the Middle East.
Additionally, G7 leaders failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement regarding Ukraine, due to the U.S.’s more lenient stance toward Russia.
Two more bodies found in Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, death toll rises to 23
In the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, two more bodies were recovered from the rubble of a nine-story residential building. The death toll has risen to 23, and search and rescue operations are continuing.
Read also: Over 200 sites damaged in Kyiv following massive Russian attack
“Total inadequacy” - Ukraine on Russia’s demand to destroy all Western weapons
Moscow's absurd demand to destroy all weapons provided to Ukraine by Western partners demonstrates complete disregard for the United States' efforts to end the war.
This was stated by the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, via X, Ukrinform reports.
"Russian officials make new absurd demands almost every day. Total inadequacy. Moscow shows complete disregard for the United States’ efforts to end the war.," Tykhy emphasized.
Ukraine Europe’s “first line of defense” against Russian aggression – Kaja Kallas
The European Union must continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for the sake of its own security, because Ukraine currently stands as Europe’s “first line of defense.”
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized that when it comes to supporting Ukraine, “the European Union is doing its part here too, not least because Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defense… We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too.”
She quoted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who recently remarked: “If we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian.”
“We know that Russia responds to strength and nothing else. That is why we have just proposed an 18th sanctions package to pile on the pressure. Every sanction weakens Russia’s ability to fight this war. Do not be fooled. Thanks to EU sanctions, Russia has lost tens of billions of euros in oil revenues. Its sovereign wealth fund declined by 6 billion only last month. Sanctions work,” she said.
Over 1,500 victims of torture by Russians identified in Kherson region – prosecutor's office
In the Kherson region, more than 1,500 individuals have been identified as victims of torture by occupying forces. Around 50 cases of civilians killed as a result of torture are currently under investigation.
"Law enforcement agencies continue their systematic efforts to uncover crimes committed by Russian military personnel and representatives of the occupation authorities against civilians during the occupation of settlements in the Kherson region," said Oleksii Butenko, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict at the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office.
According to him, at least 13 torture chambers have been confirmed so far — 11 located in de-occupied areas and two still in temporarily occupied territory. The largest number — seven — were found in the Kherson district, four in the Beryslav district, and one each in the Henichesk and Kakhovka districts.
"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have recorded systemic incidents of enforced disappearances involving activists, local officials, volunteers, journalists, and other civilians. People were held in inhumane conditions, subjected to torture, physical and sexual violence. There are documented cases of torture leading to death," Butenko said.
War
Enemy sends 13 drones to Zaporizhzhia, cars and warehouses burned
The enemy sent 13 drones to Zaporizhzhia, causing three fires in the city, which burned cars and warehouses.
According to the RMA, the enemy launched thirteen drones at the city during the night.
The attack caused three fires covering areas of 100, 300, and 800 square meters.
In addition, facades and windows in high-rise buildings were damaged, warehouses were destroyed, and cars were burned.
Russian GRU agent arrested in Kharkiv for directing strikes, awaiting occupation
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained an agent of Russian defense intelligence (commonly known as the GRU) in Kharkiv. The woman had been directing enemy missile and bomb strikes on military targets in the city.
Investigators identified the suspect as a 46-year-old unemployed woman. She came to the attention of Russian intelligence after calling for the attacking and capture of Kharkiv in Telegram channels.
After being recruited, her handler sent her a list of locations to check for possible deployment of Ukrainian Defense Forces.
To carry this out, the woman surveilled designated sites, observing their outer perimeters.
If she spotted Ukrainian defenders, the agent took photographs of the potential target with geolocation markers and added coordinates on Google Maps.
The SSU operatives documented the agent’s activities and detained her.
In addition, the SSU implemented comprehensive measures to safeguard the identified Ukraine’s Defense Forces locations.
During searches, law enforcement seized computer equipment and a mobile phone containing evidence of her collaboration with the Russian Federation.
Air defenses down 30 out of 58 Russian drones attacking Ukraine overnight
Russian army loses 1,040 more soldiers in Ukraine war
Ukraine’s National Guard destroys nearly 600 Russian tanks in 2025 – Commander
Russian army loses 1,040 more soldiers in Ukraine war
Russian drone destroys veterinary hospital in Kramatorsk
Politics
Russia posing direct threat to EU – top diplomat Kallas
Russia's aggressive actions and provocations against European countries, their industry and infrastructure, acts of sabotage and military maneuvers near EU borders turn Russia into a direct threat not only to its neighbors, but to the entire European Union.
“Russia is a direct threat to the European Union. Russia is violating our airspace, conducting provocative military maneuvers near EU borders, targeting our trains and planes, attacking our pipelines, undersea fiberoptic cables and electricity grids, assaulting our industry, including companies supporting Ukraine, and is recruiting criminals to carry out sabotage attacks,” stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
She noted that Russia continues to actively build up its own military forces and nuclear arsenals. Last year, Russia spent more on defense than the countries of the entire European Union combined. Already this year, Russia is spending more on defense than on its own healthcare system, education, and social policy.
OSCE PA leaders condemn Russia for torture, executions of Ukrainian POWs
The leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), including President Pia Kauma, have condemned Russia for systematic torture, executions and inhumane treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Ukraine, Japan strengthen security ties amid growing Russia–North Korea cooperation
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba discussed Russia’s cooperation with North Korea and Iran, which poses a real threat not only to Europe but to the entire world, including the Southeast Asian region.
Economy
World Bank ready to expand HOPE initiative in Ukraine
Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, met with Min Zhang, Global Director for the Urban, Resilience and Land Global Department at the World Bank, to discuss the expansion of housing policy projects in Ukraine.
The proposed program includes the issuance of housing vouchers that may be used to buy property, make down payments on mortgages, or repay mortgage loans. Assistance will be provided in stages: beginning with combat veterans and families of fallen defenders, followed by people with disabilities, large families, and orphans, and eventually extending to other categories of displaced persons.
Society
Parliament clarifies which categories covered by law on multiple citizenship
The law on multiple citizenship will allow foreign legion soldiers, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of the diaspora to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. At the same time, Ukrainian refugees will be able to acquire foreign citizenship.
“Passing the law on multiple citizenship — the ability to hold two or more passports — is an extremely important step for millions of Ukrainians. This especially concerns those who were forced to leave the country because of the war. Today, around six million of our citizens are abroad. This law is meant for them,” said Ruslan Horbenko, Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights.
At the same time, he pointed out another key group targeted by the law — foreigners who are fighting for Ukraine.
“Among them are stateless persons or citizens of other countries. They are risking their lives for our freedom, and therefore deserve the right to Ukrainian citizenship, as do their relatives,” emphasized Horbenko.
Read also: SSU to screen Russians and Belarusians seeking Ukrainian citizenship – MP
Photo of parents on ruins goes viral as student Dmytro Isaienko confirmed killed in Kyiv attack
Isaenko was a first-year master's student at the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports, and Health at Mykhailo Dragomanov University, specializing in Physical Culture and Sports (Human Health and Physical Recreation). His life was cut short under the rubble of a building in Kyiv that was hit by an enemy rocket.
“Photos of his parents waiting hopefully and painfully near the destroyed building spread around the world. All Ukrainians, together with Dmytro's parents, prayed for a miracle... But the miracle did not happen...,” the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Youth and Sports reported this on Facebook.
War veterans to teach military basics in schools – MoE
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science have approved recommendations for the employment of war veterans as teachers of the subject “Defense of Ukraine” in general secondary education institutions.