WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE UKRAINE KIEV - THE KYIV POST DAILY - Ukraine’s New 660-Drone Raid – Ukraine Latest June 26.

 

It’s Friday, June 26 Ukraine launched over 600 drones against Russia overnight. The drone raid struck targets across Moscow, occupied Crimea, and beyond, and likely formed part of Zelensky’s new 40-day drone campaign to pressure Russia into negotiations. The SBU said it had already struck military ships in Crimea as part of that operation, with the peninsula now declaring a state of emergency at the peak of the summer tourist season. But there’s also a less-expected flip side to the campaign against Crimea – in nearby occupied Kherson, blackouts have hit locals stranded under Russian occupation, with those in occupied Oleshky having no way out because of a combination of mined roads and Russian control. Gdańsk’s Ukraine Recovery Conference also comes bearing both good and not-so-good news. While it is set to bring over 160 agreements to help rebuild Ukraine, the EU is also reportedly dropping drone financing from the first tranche of its €90 billion loan. By Leo Chiu Your Ideas, Your Voice Join us on Telegram! Follow our coverage of the war 24/7 at @Kyivpost_official. View Ukraine War Updates Russia Hit by 660-Drone Overnight Barrage Targeting Moscow, Crimea and Key Military Sites Drones attacked several Russian regions early Friday, including Moscow, while explosions were reported near the Azot chemical plant and in occupied Crimea. Other war-related updates: Skelia Commander Suspended Amid Probe Into Alleged Abuse and Training-Camp Deaths Crimea Declares Emergency Amid Severe Fuel and Logistics Crisis Ukraine Brings Home 160 POWs, Nearly All Held Since 2022 SBU Says Drones Hit Russian Military Ships in New 40-Day Crimea Campaign Top FSB Mole Inside Ukraine's SBU Gets Life Sentence Blackouts Hit Russian-Occupied Parts of Kherson Region as Ukraine Steps Up Pressure in Crimea Russian Strike Hits Energy and Civilian Infrastructure in Odesa Region, Injuring One Kyiv Under Second Overnight Air Alert as Ukraine Warns of Ballistic Threat Russia Strikes Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles, Sets Warehouse Ablaze Zelensky: Belarus Builds Military Infrastructure Along Ukraine’s Border, Cites Russian Influence For the Record “We will have to bring our citizens back and attract specialists from different parts of the world. There will be no other option.” – Ukraine’s Presidential Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov on the country’s demographic crisis and plans to bring in foreign workers for postwar recovery Politics & Economy Russian Economy 'in Dead End' as War Costs Devour Budget Russia is burning through reserves to fund the war, with oil revenues down 30% and defense spending consuming nearly half of the state budget. Other developments: EU Proposes Extending Protection for Ukrainians Until 2028 – But Not for Draft Evaders ‘No Other Option’ – Budanov Says Ukraine Will Need Foreign Specialists EU Plans Pre-Membership Benefits for Candidates, But Kyiv Rejects ‘Membership-Lite’ First EU Ukraine Loan Payment Drops Drone Financing Polish Minister Clashes with Ukrainian Mayor in Latest Cross-Border Dispute NATO 3.0: High Stakes for Ukraine Ahead of Tens of Billions in Arms Deals at Ankara Summit Russia Shuts Romanian Mission in St. Petersburg After Drone Incident Row Ukraine Recovery Conference Set to Bring 160 Agreements for Kyiv US Officially Sides With Ukraine, Macron Says Italy, France Reject EU Proposal to Ban Ex-Russian Soldiers Polish Opposition Leader to Return Ukrainian Order, Calls for EU Accession Block UK Announces £290M Ukraine Recovery Package In Focus Global Community Calls for Urgent Evacuation from Oleshky as Conditions Deteriorate Thousands of civilians remain trapped in occupied Oleshky and surrounding areas, facing worsening conditions under drone attacks, blocked evacuations, and collapsing infrastructure. By Zarina Zabrisky Thanks for reading. See you soon. Looking to share KP’s news briefing with friends? They can subscribe here. Visit Our Site