Ukraine War News Today - Top Stories and Breaking Updates from Kyiv Post

Iran attacked a US base in Qatar on Monday, in retaliation for earlier US strikes last weekend on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Qatar on Monday but there are no known American casualties, a US defense official said.

“I can confirm that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran today. At this time, there are no reports of US casualties. We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available,” the official said.

Romania approved a new pro-European government Monday, ending months of turmoil after annulled elections. PM Bolojan vowed reforms to fix finances and counter far-right gains.

Romania’s parliament on Monday approved a new pro-European government, aimed at ending months of political turmoil in the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine.

The country was plunged into political chaos when presidential elections were annulled in December over allegations of Russian interference and a massive social media campaign in favor of the far-right frontrunner.

US leader Trump is more than a friend to Russian leader Putin: he’s a classic fellow-traveler, “comrade,” and a hypocrite who condemns Tehran on principle while tacitly endorsing his Kremlin idol.

The contrast between Trump’s principled war with Israel against Iran and his fawning toward Russia’s Putin stands couldn’t be starker.

Tehran has been toppled, but on May 28, Trump imposed a two-week deadline on Russia to stop bombing Ukraine to see if Putin was serious about peace. He didn’t stop, and it has worsened since. Trump has said nothing and taken no action. By June 9, he dismissed Russia’s constant attacks, then commented that Ukraine’s audacious “Operation Spiderweb” attack on June 1, against Russian aircraft, “gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them.”

Trump warned the former Russian president on his Truth Social account, but stopped short of criticizing Putin or Russia directly.

US President Donald Trump fired off against former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s comments on Monday, saying that the US has the most “powerful and lethal weapons ever built.”

“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran? Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday. 

Ukraine’s SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk revealed that 117 drones were used in a secret 18-month operation to destroy Russian bombers, followed by a 2,200 kg blast on the Kerch Bridge from Russia to Crimea.

At a closed-door briefing with Kyiv Post and other journalists on Monday, the Head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, disclosed new details about two large-scale special operations: Spider Web and the third successful attack on the Crimean Bridge, which he called a major breakthrough.

Operation Spiderweb

Malyuk described the operation as a complex, multi-component project involving 117 combat drones equipped with unique warheads.

The strike occurred one day after the start of summer vacation, and fortunately, no children were at the school during the attack.

A Russian ballistic missile strike destroyed a school in Odesa’s Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. At least two school employees are reported dead, and a dozen others were injured, with rescue work ongoing.

The school is currently on summer vacation and no children were reported injured. Teachers and school staff were on site to begin cleaning and organizing their materials for the summer vacation when the strike occurred Monday morning.

Kremlin propagandists are torn between supporting their Iranian ally and avoiding criticism of the Trump regime, which could break Putin’s “honeymoon” with the US leader.

Russian propagandists seeking to support the Kremlin’s Iranian ally are finding it difficult to craft a narrative with their newfound ally, US President Donald Trump, who is now involving the United States in Israeli military action against Tehran.

In the wake of US strikes on Iran over the weekend, two important questions are surfacing. First, is the Russian Federation ready to break its “honeymoon” with the Trump administration? Second, does Russia have the ability (especially after the defeat of the Kremlin-sponsored Assad regime in Syria) to influence events in the Middle East?

Russia again terrorized Kyiv overnight, flattening an apartment building and leaving several dead. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble – see it yourself in these photos by Kyiv Post.

A young woman was caught carrying 7 kilograms of explosives into Kyiv’s SBU headquarters as part of a Russian wide-scale sabotage campaign against Ukraine

The head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Malyuk, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has approved a wide-ranging sabotage campaign against Ukraine, organized by its federal security service (FSB) and military intelligence agency (GRU).

“Back in 2023, Putin signed a classified internal decree launching what they call ‘Sabotage Noise.’ This is an organized campaign of constant sabotage, terror attacks, and subversive actions designed to destabilize Ukraine,” Malyuk said during a press briefing, Kyiv Post reports.

Emergency crews found parts of a North Korean missile after a mass strike on Kyiv overnight June 22–23 that killed at least 7 and injured some two dozen, officials said.

Emergency workers sifting through the debris of a deadly overnight missile and drone attack confirmed that fragments of a North Korean missile were recovered from the wreckage in Kyiv on Monday.

“It was a Korean missile, they just found some parts,” said a firefighter at the scene around 3 pm local time, speaking on condition of anonymity as recovery operations continued.

Two Ukrainian security colonels tasked with protecting Zelensky were secretly working for Russia’s FSB and plotting his assassination, SBU chief Malyuk said.

Two colonels from Ukraine’s State Guard Department (UDO), whose duty was to protect the country’s top officials, were working for Russia’s FSB and plotting to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in a conversation with journalists, Kyiv Post reports.

“Last year, we carried out a major operation. One of those detained was the head of a department within UDO — someone whose role is to protect this country’s leadership. Alongside him, another colonel was arrested. Both were working for Russia’s FSB, specifically its Fifth Service,” Malyuk said.

The announcement came as Russia ramped up its rhetoric on achieving its maximalist war goals in recent weeks – including the full annexation of Ukraine.

The Kremlin said the new date for the newest Kyiv-Moscow negotiations is expected to be announced this week.

Kyiv and Moscow have engaged in three rounds of direct talks thus far, all in Istanbul – once in 2022 that resulted in the Istanbul Communiqué, then once in May 2025 that resulted in a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange deal, and another in early June that resulted in more prisoners being exchanged.

The two countries decided to block the sanctions package in response to European Union plans to phase out Russian energy imports, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said.

Hungary and Slovakia have decided not to support the EU’s plan for an 18th sanctions package against Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday in a press briefing broadcast on his Facebook page.

The two countries decided to block the sanctions package in response to European Union plans to phase out Russian energy imports, the minister said. 

Russia has hired tens of thousands of foreign workers for its factories due to labor shortages caused by the war in Ukraine and the shift to import substitution.

In 2024, Russian industrial enterprises hired 47,000 foreign workers from countries with which it maintains visa requirements, including China, India, Turkey, Serbia, and others. According to The Moscow Times, Russia’s Ministry of Labor explained that the number of permits issued is based on labor market demand and regional applications.

The highest demand is for skilled workers such as welders, concrete workers, finishing laborers, as well as staff for the food and agricultural sectors. Employers most often seek candidates from China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as individuals from Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds are generally regarded as disciplined and respectful of rules – typically responsible, calm, and non-confrontational, the article notes.

Zelensky arrived in London to meet King Charles III, Prime Minister Starmer, and UK officials to deepen defense ties. He will also visit Ukrainian troops training in Britain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Monday, June 23, for a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

During the visit, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with King Charles, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the speakers of both houses of Parliament – Lindsay Hoyle and Lord John McFall, according to a senior Ukrainian official.

Early Monday, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said that the US strikes on Iran would not affect efforts to improve ties between Washington and Moscow, calling them “independent issues.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday condemned the recent strikes on Iran as “unprovoked” and “unjustified,” but did not announce any concrete support for Tehran, one of Moscow’s key allies in the Middle East.

Putin made the comments during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin, as tensions in the region continue to rise following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.

The Kremlin spokesperson’s Monday statement contradicts earlier statements and sends mixed signals about Russia’s stance on Washington’s attacks against its closest Middle East ally.

The US’s Sunday strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities are independent from US-Russia relations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The US bombed three nuclear sites in Moscow-ally Iran in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, after weeks of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and US ally Israel, which Israel said was prompted by Iran’s advancing nuclear program.

The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, says it is ‘undeniable’ that NATO is so focused on increasing defense investment to 5% “because of Russia and the threat Russia poses” to its security.

HAGUE – US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Monday that the alliance’s leaders’ summit in The Hague this week aims to enhance NATO’s credibility and address threats from Russia and emerging cyber and space threats.

Speaking to reporters during a press call ahead of this week’s NATO’s Summit in The Hague, Whitaker said it is “undeniable” that the reason NATO is so focused on increasing defense investment to 5% is “because of Russia, and the long term threat Russia poses” to its security, Kyiv Post’s Washington correspondent reports.

Ukraine’s intelligence service evacuated 176 people from Israel, including 133 Ukrainians plus other Eastern European nations and US citizens, amid rising regional threats and deteriorating security.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized the evacuation of 176 people from Israel, including 133 Ukrainian citizens as well as nationals of Moldova, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, and the United States, the HUR press service reported on June 23. The operation took place the day before.

“The plane carrying the evacuees successfully landed in the Republic of Moldova. From there, Ukrainian citizens will continue their journey home,” the statement said. HUR also expressed gratitude to Moldovan officials for their assistance in carrying out the evacuation.

The US warns of possible terror attacks and cyber threats at home following its strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as Americans abroad urged to stay vigilant as tensions with Tehran escalate.

The US has warned of a heightened threat of attacks both at home and abroad following its military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

The US State Department has advised Americans worldwide to be extra cautious due to rising tensions in the Middle East. In a travel alert published June 22, the agency cited the risk of protests and potential violence targeting US citizens.

Russia’s mass attack on Kyiv killed nine people, including an 11-year-old girl, collapsed part of a high-rise, and left dozens injured.

Russian forces launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Monday morning, June 23, striking residential areas and causing deadly destruction.

One of the hardest-hit sites was a residential high-rise in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where an entire entrance section collapsed. Authorities confirmed at least nine people dead and dozens injured. Rescuers are still working to clear the rubble and search for survivors.

Moscow is a crucial backer of Tehran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner since Israel launched a wave of attacks on June 13.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to hold “important” talks with key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday, 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran’s key nuclear facilities.

Moscow is a crucial backer of Tehran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner since Israel launched a wave of attacks on June 13, strikes that triggered Iran to respond with missiles and drones.

At least six people were killed in Kyiv, and another person died in Bila Tserkva, after waves of Russian missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones slammed into residential buildings overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday condemned Russia’s deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv, blaming what he called a “coalition of murderers” – Russia, Iran, and North Korea – for spreading terror beyond Ukraine’s borders.

At least six people were killed in Kyiv, and another person died in Bila Tserkva, south of the capital, after waves of Russian missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones slammed into residential buildings overnight, officials said.

Latest from the British Defence Intelligence.

• On 30 May 2025, Russian President Putin approved the Russian Navy Strategy and Development plan. According to Nikolai Patrushev, a presidential aide and head of the Russian Maritime Board which oversees shipbuilding, the plan reviews the current state of Russia’s naval capabilities, taking into consideration Russia’s experience in the war launched against Ukraine.
• Russia’s Strategy and Development plan will likely serve as a handrail for Russian ship and submarine building, as well as naval procurement, for the next 25 years.The plan also highly likely emphasises the perceived milestones the Russian Navy would need to reach to attempt to counter NATO maritime development and activity in accordance with Russian doctrine.
•  Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, highly effective Ukrainian operations have significantly constrained Russia’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea, particularly through Ukraine’s use of anti-ship missiles and Uncrewed Surface Vehicles. Ukrainian forces have destroyed or damaged at least 24 Russian vessels operating in the Black Sea. As a result, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been forced to move all of its major assets from its historic base in Sevastopol to Novorossiysk in the Eastern Black Sea.

The move is part of a broader national security strategy under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which includes doubling the size of the armed forces to 500,000 and bolstering border protection.

Poland is preparing a contingency plan to evacuate its most valuable cultural assets in the event of a Russian invasion, the country’s Minister of Culture Hanna Wróblewska told the Financial Times.

The move is part of a broader national security strategy under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which includes doubling the size of the armed forces to 500,000 and bolstering border protection.

The UN’s 193 member states will mark Thursday the signing of the organization’s foundational treaty, the UN Charter, on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco.

With its influence discredited and its budget in tatters, the United Nations is weathering a firestorm of criticism as it celebrates its 80th anniversary -- and tries to convince a polarized and conflict-wracked world it is more vital than ever.

The UN’s 193 member states will mark Thursday the signing of the organization’s foundational treaty, the UN Charter, on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco. After ratification, the United Nations came into being on October 24.

NATO member states will convene for a two-day summit in The Hague next week. The main topic will be to asses the strength of alliance.

Nato member states will convene for a two-day summit in The Hague next week. The main topic will be to asses the strength of alliance and how its members can achieve the target of five percent of GDP for defence spending, as demanded by US President Donald Trump. Commentators debate how much sense such an increase makes in view of the tight budgets - and how acute the threat is.

No need to panic about Russian attack

The manufacturer claims the drone – with a €15,000 baseline price tag – is immune to electronic warfare interference and comes equipped with thermal imaging cameras to spot enemy troops.

French arms maker Parrot has unveiled its ANAFI UKR reconnaissance drone at the Paris Air Show, which it said has been adapted to the requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). 

The Paris Air Show takes place between June 16 and June 22, exhibiting products from the civil and defense aviation sectors. 

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

• Russia condemned the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 amid reports that Iran’s foreign minister will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on June 23.
• Iran’s possible decision to close the Strait of Hormuz will cause a significant spike in global oil prices, which would greatly economically and financially benefit Russia by reversing months of declining Russian oil revenue and allowing Russia to continue to finance its war against Ukraine in the medium term.
• Russian forces have continued to pursue long-standing operational objectives on the battlefield in Ukraine throughout Spring and Summer 2025 and will likely remain committed to these objectives for the coming months.
• Russia’s intensified force generation efforts appear to be generating a reserve force that Russia will be able to leverage in Ukraine or against NATO in the future, despite current limitations on Russia’s offensive capacity in Ukraine.
• The Kremlin continues to promote rhetoric designed to undermine Ukrainian legitimacy and sovereignty, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to the complete destruction of Ukraine.
• Kremlin officials are leveraging the Russian education system to indoctrinate children into the mythos of the Soviet Union’s role in the Second World War and create a centralized state ideology that will shape generations in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine, likely to justify a protracted war in Ukraine and a future military conflict against the West.
• Ukrainian forces advanced in northern Sumy oblast. Russian forces advanced near Novopavlivka.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) explains the potential benefits to Russian crude oil revenues, which have been sliding in 2025, if Tehran blocks major transport route.

Iran’s possible decision to close the Strait of Hormuz will cause a significant spike in global oil prices, which would greatly economically and financially benefit Russia by reversing months of declining Russian oil revenue and allowing Russia to continue to finance its war against Ukraine in the medium term.

Brent crude oil futures prices closed at $77.27 on June 20, marking an 11.4 percent rise from June 12 just prior to the Israeli strikes against Iran.

Initially reported as a drone attack, another wave of Russian strikes woke up the capital in the early morning hours of Monday. At least four injuries have been reported.

At least six people were killed and 19 injured in Kyiv after a Russian missile strike hit residential areas overnight, city officials said Monday.

The attack caused extensive damage to a five-story residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said. Rescuers pulled 10 people from the rubble, including a child and a pregnant woman.

NATO members agree to increase defense spending to 5 percent. US officials say Trump will urge Alliance leaders to revitalize industrial capacities for minerals and weapons. Zelensky will attend.

WASHINGTON DC – US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Netherlands on Tuesday, June 24, for the NATO Summit to secure new commitments on increased defense spending and industrial production, a senior US administration official told reporters ahead of the scheduled trip.

On military spending, NATO has long been inching toward two percent of each member’s respective GDPs, but that is old news by now, as Trump is eyeing a new target: five percent.