Russia-Ukraine
War, diplomacy, sanctions, and defense developments related to Russia and Ukraine.
Russia damages Kyiv's Dormition Cathedral in overnight missile and drone strike
Russian missile and drone strikes damaged the Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv’s UNESCO-listed Lavra complex overnight, killing civilians and causing widespread damage, outages and a major fire at the historic site.
UK boards and detains sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel
British armed forces boarded and detained the Cameroon-flagged tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in what officials said was the UK’s first independently led interdiction of a Russian shadow-fleet vessel. Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the move and called for tougher European action against sanctions evasion.
UK intercepts Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in English Channel
British forces boarded and detained the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel on June 14, 2026, in what UK officials described as a first UK-led operation against a suspected Russian shadow-fleet vessel. The ship is being held off the south coast while investigators examine its cargo, paperwork and possible sanctions breaches.
Middle East crisis live: Trump says Iran deal will be signed today but Tehran casts doubt on timing as Israel launches strikes on Beirut
Trump said a U.S.-Iran deal could be signed on June 14, but Iranian officials said no final signing decision had been made. Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least three people and wounded 16, while Israel said the attack followed Hezbollah projectiles fired into northern Israel.
Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker believed to be linked to Russia's shadow fleet
British forces detained the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel on June 14, 2026, in a sanctions-enforcement operation targeting a vessel believed linked to Russia's shadow fleet. Officials said the ship had departed from Ust-Luga and was heading for Egypt, and that it would be held while investigations continue.
Ukraine war briefing: Flamingo missiles hit more far-flung Russian targets
Ukraine said it used FP-5 Flamingo missiles in long-range strikes on military-industrial and energy targets deep inside Russia, including a plant in Cheboksary and infrastructure in Samara.
Ukraine's mid-range drones are its new ace against Russia, but many don't arrive war-ready, pilot says
A Ukrainian National Guard pilot says mid-range strike drones are becoming a crucial weapon against Russian logistics and command posts, but many arrive with software, control and battery problems that must be tested at the front before combat use.
Ukraine launches long-range strikes on military and energy sites in Russia
Ukraine said it carried out long-range strikes on military and energy targets deep inside Russia, including a factory in Cheboksary, a refinery in Samara and oil infrastructure in Vladimir region. Russian regional officials confirmed damage and injuries, and reporting said a major Samara refinery halted processing after the attack.
Zelenskyy says he told Trump Putin was 'playing games' with Washington
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he told Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin is lying and stalling, while arguing Russia is losing the initiative in the war.
Ukraine war latest: Moscow 'ready to use nuclear weapons' for security - as drone strikes choking Russian supplies into Crimea
Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Moscow and Belarus are ready to use all available means, including nuclear weapons, to defend the Union State. Separately, Reuters reported Crimea is still repelling drone attacks and that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have contributed to fuel shortages on the peninsula.
EU releases nearly EUR2.8 billion to help Ukraine
The European Union has released nearly EUR2.8 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility after the Council approved the seventh regular payment following reform progress in Kyiv.
Kyiv under heavy Russian attack as apartment buildings burn, mayor says
Kyiv was hit by a major overnight Russian missile-and-drone attack on June 2, with apartment buildings damaged or set ablaze, residents sent to shelter and casualty totals rising as rescue work continued.
Russian attack on Ukraine capital kills at least 4 and traps others in damaged buildings
Russia launched an overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, damaging residential buildings, killing at least four people in the capital and injuring dozens more as rescue crews continued searching for people trapped under rubble.
Ukraine strikes Russian port city in overnight drone attack
Multiple outlets reported that Ukrainian drones struck the Russian port city of Taganrog overnight, causing fires at a tanker, fuel storage tank and administrative building, according to local officials.
US extends sanctions waiver on Russian at-sea oil by 30 days
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will extend by 30 days a sanctions waiver covering Russian oil cargoes already at sea, a move aimed at easing supply pressure tied to the Iran war.
Ukraine war briefing: EU sanctions officials for child abductions; Kyiv under drone attack as ceasefire expires
The European Union has imposed new sanctions on people and entities linked to the abduction, forced transfer and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. At the same time, Kyiv came under drone attack as a short ceasefire expired, underscoring how fragile the battlefield pause remains.
Ireland Ratifies Ukraine Claims Commission Convention
Ireland’s Dáil has ratified the convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, making Ireland one of the early supporters of the reparations mechanism.
Ireland ratifies Ukraine Claims Commission as Russian drones hit Dnipro overnight
Ireland has ratified the convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, while Russian drones struck Dnipro overnight, injuring civilians and damaging residential buildings.
Ukraine says Russia violated ceasefire initiated by Kyiv
Ukraine said Russia violated its unilateral ceasefire within hours, later putting the violation count at 1,820 by late morning.
Russian forces increasingly target gas stations with long-range FPV drones, defense advisor says
A Ukrainian defense adviser said Russian forces are using longer-range FPV drones to target gas stations 20 to 25 kilometers from the front or border.
Russian attacks leave 22 dead in Ukraine
Russian strikes killed at least 22 people across Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials confirming major casualties in Zaporizhzhia and other regions.
Rubio, Lavrov discuss Ukraine war, Iran in call requested by Moscow
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone at Moscow’s request and discussed U.S.-Russia relations, Ukraine and Iran.
Zelenskyy slams Russia's 'utter cynicism' as strikes kill at least 22 in Ukraine before brief truce takes hold
Later AP and Guardian reporting raised the toll from Russian strikes on Ukraine to at least 22 dead and more than 80 wounded, after earlier reports said five were killed.
Russian attack kills five at Ukraine’s Naftogaz gas production facilities, officials say
Russian strikes on Naftogaz gas production facilities killed five people and wounded dozens, according to Ukrainian officials and the company.