Newsletter 30/06/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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EU extends economic restrictive measures against Russia for six more months
On Monday, June 30, the European Union extended its economic restrictive measures against Russia for an additional six months in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The decision was published on the official website of the European Council.
“The Council today renewed the EU restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation’s continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 6 months, until 31 January 2026. These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine,” the document reads.
Ukrainian Defense Forces preparing counteroffensive actions in Northern Slobozhanshchyna sector – General Staff
“Our forces are holding the line, preparing and carrying out counteroffensive actions to push the enemy back. As a result of successful Ukrainian operations, the settlement of Andriivka has been liberated. Ukrainian units also advanced near Oleksiivka, pushing Russian troops further from Sumy,” reported the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian defenders continue defensive operations in Northern Slobozhanshchyna sector and are effectively destroying enemy forces, who persist in attempts to conduct assaults in the border area of Sumy region.
Active Ukrainian operations in both the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors have tied down a Russian troop group of about 50,000 soldiers, preventing their redeployment to other critical areas such as Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka.
As of now, the situation has been stabilized, and Russian advances have been stopped along the line Yunakivka – Yablunivka – Novomykolaivka – Oleksiivka – Kindrativka – Russian border – Russian foothold in Glushkovo district, Kursk region.
Germany supports Ukraine’s NATO membership – Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a shift in Germany’s stance on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, stating that Berlin now supports Ukraine’s future membership in the Alliance.
“This is a very important moment—not only regarding our future in the European Union. I want to personally thank you for a signal we haven’t heard from Germany in a very long time, perhaps ever. During the NATO summit, at the meeting between NATO and Ukrainian foreign ministers, Germany stated that it believes Ukraine should be in the Alliance. This is in the interest of Europe’s collective security,” Zelensky said.
UN reports mounting civilian casualties in Ukraine due to Russian aggression
From December 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, at least 968 civilians were killed and 4,807 injured in Ukraine as a result of Russian military aggression, which is a 37% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
The majority of these casualties occurred in Ukrainian government-controlled areas, primarily due to Russian attacks with long-range explosive weapons in populated areas, and short-range drones used near frontline zones.
Nearly half of all civilian casualties were caused by missiles, loitering munitions, and air-dropped bombs in densely populated areas. At least three attacks involved Russian forces deployed missiles with fragmentation warheads.
MFA explains Ukraine's decision to withdraw from Ottawa Convention
Ukraine has adhered to the provisions of the Ottawa Convention for 20 years. However, Russia’s large-scale use of anti-personnel mines—despite not being a signatory to the treaty—has created an asymmetric advantage on the battlefield.
The MFA noted that in 2005, Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Destruction, commonly known as the Ottawa Convention, and since then has faithfully fulfilled its obligations.
The MFA stressed that at the time of Ukraine’s signing and ratification of the Ottawa Convention, such circumstances did not exist and could not have been foreseen.
The MFA also stressed that in the context of Russia’s ongoing genocide aimed at destroying Ukraine as a state and Ukrainians as a nation, Ukraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defense of the state. This applies, in particular, to Ukraine’s participation in international legal instruments and mechanisms.
Ukraine aligns Russia sanctions with EU’s 13th, 14th packages - Zelensky
"The 13th and 14th EU sanctions packages are now fully synchronized – they will now also be 100 percent Ukrainian sanctions. Today I approved this," President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this in an address to the nation on Sunday.
He announced that the European sanctions package against the regime in Iran will also be 100 percent aligned. These are restrictive measures applied to a large number of entities related to defense production and external terror schemes against regional neighbors, as well as repressions in the country itself.
War
Ukrainian Air Defense Downed 475 of 537 Russian Targets on June 28-29
On the night of June 28-29, Ukrainian Air Defense Forces neutralizedЖ
"Shaheds" and other UAVs: 211 out of 477 were shot down; 225 were lost to location (meaning they were no longer tracked).
"Iskander-M/KN-23" ballistic missiles: 1 out of 7 was shot down.
X-101/"Iskander-K" cruise missiles: 33 out of 41 were shot down; 1 was lost to location.
"Kalibr" cruise missiles: 4 out of 5 were shot down.
Read also: On the night of June 29-30 Ukraine’s air defenses intercept 74 of 107 Russian drones
Russian troops used Chernika drone for first time to strike Kharkiv
Last week, the Russian army used a Chernika drone for the first time to strike Kharkiv.
According to Mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov, this drone is similar in combat power to the “Molniia,” but has a different design.
Over 15 trucks full of Chechen fighters arrive in Mariupol
More than 15 military trucks carrying Chechen fighters have arrived in Russian-occupied Mariupol, with plans to redeploy them to Zaporizhzhia region.
In occupied Melitopol, invaders deploy another propaganda center
In Melitopol, Russian invaders have opened a new propaganda center - a studio for "bloggers", financed from the local budget as part of a large-scale media influence program covering the occupied territories.
ATESH: St. Petersburg cadets forced into “training” in Ukraine war
Cadets from the Military Institute of Communications in St. Petersburg, Russia, are being forcibly sent to war in Ukraine under the guise of “training practice.”
War update: 72 clashes on frontline since morning, fighting ongoing in three sectors
No Russian breakthrough in Dnipropetrovsk region, intense fighting ongoing
Specialized water‑utility equipment damaged in Odesa by drone attack
Russian Pantsir‑S1 air defense system spotted in Kerch
Russians shell village in Mykolaiv region leaving one person dead, one injured
Russian troops destroy factory and warehouses in Derhachi, Kharkiv region
Defense
Norway to deploy F‑35 jets to Poland for Rzeszów hub protection
This fall, Norway will send F-35 fighter jets to Poland, strengthening its contribution to NATO's air and missile defense.
Norwegian fighter jets will be deployed in Poland to support the mission to protect Polish airspace and a key logistics center for providing assistance to Ukraine in Rzeszów.
Unmanned ground system “Muraha” approved for AFU use
The Ministry of Defense has codified and approved the domestic unmanned ground complex “Muraha” for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Given its size, “Muraha” is one of the leaders in terms of load capacity—it is capable of transporting more than half a ton of weight for tens of kilometers.
Various control channels allow the complex to be used in areas where enemy electronic warfare equipment is operating. The complex's running characteristics allow it to move over difficult terrain and overcome small fords.
Zelensky: Three German defense companies already operating in Ukraine
Speaking ahead of a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Kyiv, Zelensky noted that five representatives from major German defense firms would be joining the talks, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“In the coming days, this number could grow to 20. This is an important partnership for us. We are working to establish a dedicated military hub in Ukraine and beyond,” Zelensky noted.
The President emphasized the strategic value of this cooperation, highlighting that three German companies are already active in Ukraine and that a fourth may soon join them.
RONNI-13 fiber-optic drone approved for use by Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially codified and approved the domestically produced RONNI-13 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for deployment in the Armed Forces.
Politics
Norway to deploy F‑35 jets to Poland for Rzeszów hub protection
This fall, Norway will send F-35 fighter jets to Poland, strengthening its contribution to NATO's air and missile defense.
Norwegian fighter jets will be deployed in Poland to support the mission to protect Polish airspace and a key logistics center for providing assistance to Ukraine in Rzeszów.
Sybiha: Pressure on Russia must be coordinated on both sides of the Atlantic
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged the European Union and the United States to intensify sanctions pressure on Russia, describing it as a vital instrument to weaken the Kremlin’s war machine and advance peace efforts. He also underscored the importance of closely coordinated action between both sides of the Atlantic.
Economy
Ukraine receives about USD 1.7B from Canada funded by frozen Russian assets
As part of the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, Canada has provided Ukraine with approximately USD 1.7 billion (2.3 billion Canadian dollars), funded through revenue generated from frozen Russian assets.
Brazil sees Ukraine as important actor in global food security chain – ambassador
“Brazil considers Ukraine one of the most relevant international actors in the food security chain. This is why it was so important to have Ukraine as a founding member of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty,” said the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Ukraine Rafael de Mello Vidal.
In his words, this initiative has just started to work
“Partnership with Ukraine will be a very productive one, particularly with our common goals to aid nations that struggle with hunger and food security,” the Brazilian envoy stressed.
Brazilian envoy outlines promising areas of economic cooperation with Ukraine
Ukraine and Brazil have strong potential for economic cooperation in agriculture, engineering, bioenergy, pharmaceutics and civilian construction, as well as bioethanol production, as the two countries have significant bio-resources and technologies.
In words of the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Ukraine Rafael de Mello Vidal, the two countries are also planning to reboost pharmaceutical cooperation, combining the efforts of Ukrainian and Brazilian powerful companies to foster medicines at a reliable cost.
In addition, the Brazilian envoy noted huge cooperation potential in agriculture and mentioned that Ukraine joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty as a founding member last year, when Brazil launched the initiative as the main G20 effort.
Society
Fatal traffic accident in Romania involving bus carrying Ukrainians
A serious road accident occurred on Monday in Bacău County, Romania, involving a bus carrying 60 Ukrainian citizens, including 21 children. One person was killed in the crash.