Trump and Putin’s secret phone calls | Ukraine This Week

12:01 PM

Death toll of Russia's June 7 strike on Kharkiv rises to 5.

The death toll of a Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on June 7 has risen to five, as two more bodies were found in the rubble, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on June 12.

11:24 AM

Russia using peace talks to stall US sanctions, Zelensky says.

"It's important for them to show (U.S. President Donald) Trump that there is a diplomatic bridge between Ukraine and Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky told Bild.

10:52 AM

Russia killed at least 3, injured 37 across Ukraine over past day.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched 63 drones, including Shaheds and other unmanned aerial systems, from multiple directions, including Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, and occupied Crimea.

1:43 AM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 10:34 am)

Hegseth admits Russia is ‘aggressor,’ but doesn’t say who he wants to win in Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on June 11 stood by the administration’s approach, portraying a U.S.-brokered peace deal as a sign of strength and admitting that any agreement would inevitably leave “plenty of people on both sides” dissatisfied.

9:52 AM

'Juicy target' — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics plant in Moscow Oblast.

The facility assembles circuit boards and electronics for the Russian military-industrial complex, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said.

9:29 AM

With only 2 weeks of funding left, US group tracking Russian abduction of Ukrainian children prepares to shut down.

"Right now, we are running on fumes," Nathaniel Raymond, the lab's executive director, told CNN. "As of July 1, we lay off all of our staff across Ukraine and other teams, and our work tracking the kids officially ends."

9:01 AM

German Defense Minister Pistorius arrives in Ukraine to discuss military aid.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on June 12 to meet Ukrainian leaders and discuss future defense support, DPA news agency reported.

5:08 AM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 8:51 am)

15 injured in Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, day after fatal drone bombardment.

A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv overnight on June 12 injured 15 people, including at least four children, authorities reported.

8:49 AM

Zelensky holds first meeting with Romania's new president Dan.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted a trilateral meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and newly elected Romanian President Nicusor Dan.

8:34 AM

Rubio congratulates Russian people on Russia Day.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Russian people on June 12, Russia's National Day, and expressed a desire for "constructive engagement" to bring peace to Ukraine.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,000,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,140 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day. It marks the first time since the outbreak of the full-scale war that Russia's reported casualties crossed 1 million.

7:56 AM

Partisan group destroys Russian military truck in occupied Ukraine, allegedly killing soldiers, Atesh claims.

A Russian Ural military truck was destroyed, allegedly killing "several occupiers" near occupied Melitopol overnight on June 12, the pro-Ukrainian Atesh partisan group claimed.

6:51 AM

EU could impose Russian oil price cap without US support, Kallas says.

The European Union can impose an additional price cap on Russian oil without U.S. support, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said at the Brussels Forum on June 11.

4:29 AM

Russia boasts world's top nuclear force, must improve ground forces, Putin claims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems but must strengthen its ground forces.

7:46 PM  (Updated:  June 12, 2025 1:26 am)

Casualties mount after Russia’s June 7 strike on Kharkiv.

Russia attacked the city of Kharkiv with KAB guided bombs the evening of June 7, killing a woman and a man and injuring at least 18 people. The total confirmed death toll stands at five as of June 11.

11:13 PM

Drapatyi ends tenure as Ground Forces chief, says he leaves with 'clear conscience'.

Mykhailo Drapatyi described the state of the Ground Forces at the time of his appointment on Nov. 29, 2024 as mired in "managerial stagnation."

10:39 PM

Culture

Putin’s suspected daughter found working in anti-war galleries in Paris

10:25 PM

Vucic refuses Ukraine summit declaration not to 'betray Russia,' offers reconstruction aid.

The declaration, signed by all the other participants, denounced Russia's illegal aggression, called for a full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, and reaffirmed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

10:09 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes targets in Russia, including gunpowder plant

10:07 PM

EU, Germany boost Ukraine's energy efficiency fund with 18 million euros.

The EU provided 13 million euros ($15 million) of the new funding, while Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI) provided 5 million euros ($5.7 million).

9:33 PM

US weapons

Ukraine bracing for 'painful' reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

9:14 PM

Interview

'Ukrainians have been stripped of illusion of control' — Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai on Russia's war, cinema and reclaiming the narrative

9:11 PM

Zelensky urges 'stronger' EU sanctions on Russia, lower oil price cap.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the upcoming 18th EU sanctions package "could be stronger," especially in targeting Russian oil tankers and the financial sector.

7:56 PM

Ukrainian drones strike targets in Russia, including gunpowder plant, General Staff says.

The Tambov Gunpowder Plant, one of Russia's main manufacturers of gunpowder and explosives for small arms, artillery, and rocket systems, reportedly caught fire following the drone strike.

7:25 PM

Opinion

America’s weak strongman