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Olympic medalist Lyudmila Luzan won gold at the 2025 European Canoe Sprint Championships in the 500m canoe single.

This happened during the Euro 2025 rowing competition, which is ending in Racice, Czech Republic.

Luzan is the Euro 2025 champion

The final in the canoe single 500m took place on the last competition day, June 22, of the European Championships. The Ukrainian's rivals were titled athletes, in particular the silver medalist of the 2021 World Championships, Reka Opavsky from Ushorshchyna.

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At the start of the race, Luzan took the lead and was able to maintain it.

She reached the finish line in 2:06.807 minutes, beating Opavsky by 1.986 seconds. The top three was completed by the representative of Spain Maria Corbera.

Thus, Lyudmila Luzan brought Ukraine its first gold at the current European Canoe Sprint Championships.

In addition to Luzan's gold, the Ukrainian team won three more silver medals at Euro 2025 in Račice.

Luzan finished second in the 200m singles and also in the 200m and 500m canoe doubles with Iryna Fedoriv.

The last time Luzan won gold at the European Championships in the canoe single discipline was back in 2021. Overall, this is her fourth gold at the European Championships.

The British non-profit project Open Source Centre has published the results of an analysis of the consequences of the strikes on the Fordow underground nuclear facility in Iran.

This is stated in the publication of the Open Source Centre on the social network X.

Attack on Iran nuclear facility

The project's experts created a 3D model of the complex with superimposed satellite images of the impact sites.

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Analysts noted the impact sites of American GBU-57 bunker buster bombs in the photo and suggested that the target of the attack was the nuclear complex's cascade hall.

Israeli analyst Ben Zion Macales compared images of the aftermath of the strikes with a diagram of the Iranian Fordow facility.

He claims that the attack points were chosen specifically to damage the central corridors of the facility.

According to him, the affected areas are located under the thickest layer of rock, where uranium enrichment work is carried out.

These are the zones that are critical to the functioning of Iran's nuclear program.

At the same time, the analyst noted that at the moment it is impossible to determine whether the American bombs reached their target and how seriously the underground infrastructure of the complex was damaged.

What is known about the Open Source Centre

The British Open Source Centre project specialises in the analysis of open data and the creation of detailed models of strategic objects based on satellite images and open information.

Let us recall that on the morning of June 22, the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Iran. As US President Donald Trump later reported, these facilities were completely destroyed as a result of the strike.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has begun grooming his successors in the event of his death. They will almost certainly be as ideological as he is.

This is the opinion of analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Khamenei has chosen his successors

Thus, Iranian sources told the New York Times that Ali Khamenei has moved to a secure bunker, stopped digital communication and now communicates with top commanders only through a trusted aide.

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Khamenei is known to have named three senior clerics as candidates to replace him in the event of his death. Ali Khamenei has also named replacements for top military commanders. He has also ordered senior officials to work from bunkers and avoid using mobile phones.

This is the first time that Khamenei has chosen potential successors himself outside the formal Assembly of Experts process.

ISW analysts believe that Iran's supreme leader took this step because he believes he could be killed. After all, Israel, and in particular Defense Minister Israel Katz, have openly threatened Khamenei.

However, on June 15, Reuters reported, citing American sources, that US President Donald Trump had vetoed the Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. On June 17, Trump said the US knew exactly where the Supreme Leader was hiding, but would not sideline him, at least for now.

Ideological successors

According to ISW analysts, the three possible candidates to replace Khamenei would be as ideological as he is. In November 2024, Khamenei met with members of the Assembly of Experts and stressed that Iran’s next supreme leader should “embody the revolution” and introduce Islam into Iranian society. However, Khamenei did not name his successor at the time.

Assembly of Experts member Abdolhasan Mahdavi confirmed that back then, in November 2024, the Assembly confidentially identified three candidates and their priorities.

The Assembly of Experts is an 88-member elected clerical body. Its primary purpose is to appoint, supervise, and dismiss the Supreme Leader. In practice, however, the Assembly of Experts has never challenged the position and generally has a limited role in Iran’s day-to-day politics.

The current assembly was elected in March 2024 and will serve until 2032.

Who are the potential successors of Ali Khamenei?

According to ISW, Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's son, is not among the candidates for succession. Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was discussed as a candidate, died in a helicopter crash in May 2024.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the evacuation of 176 citizens of Ukraine and partner states from Israel to Egypt on the eve of US strikes on nuclear program facilities in Iran.

Vladimir Zelensky announced this on his Telegram channel.

Ukraine evacuated people from Israel

According to him, Ukrainian diplomats and the Main Intelligence Directorate carried out an important stage in the evacuation of citizens from the danger zone in the context of growing tensions in the Middle East.

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At the same time, the evacuation from Iran to Azerbaijan continues.

“We respond to every request and will continue evacuation activities. I have instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and intelligence to provide all the necessary opportunities for the protection of our people in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” Zelensky said.

In addition, among the people evacuated by Ukraine are citizens of Moldova, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Estonia and the United States.

Let us recall that on the morning of June 22, the United States struck three key nuclear facilities in Iran.

These are the two main uranium enrichment centers: a fortified mountain facility at Fordow and a plant at Natang. And a facility near the ancient city of Isfahan, where Iran is believed to store uranium.

As US President Donald Trump announced, the nuclear facilities have been completely and finally destroyed.

The administration of President Donald Trump is preparing for possible retaliatory actions from Iran following large-scale strikes by the US military on key nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic.

NBC News reported this, citing two sources in the Pentagon and a senior White House official.

US expects Iran to respond within 48 hours

The next 48 hours are of particular concern, the sources said.

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Washington does not rule out that Iran’s response could be directed at US targets abroad as well as within the country.

US military bases abroad are already on the highest state of alert in months, but the threat has increased since the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran on June 13.

US strikes Iran's nuclear facilities

On the night of June 22, American B-2 strategic bombers struck targets in Fordow, Natanga and Isfahan.

The Trump administration confirmed the use of six bunker buster bombs on Fordow and the launch of 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles from submarines.

Iran has acknowledged the airstrikes. Adviser to the head of parliament Mehdi Mohammadi said that Tehran expected an attack on Fordow.

According to him, the facility was evacuated long ago, and the damage is not irreversible.

WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight boxing world champion Oleksandr Usyk and his promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk have ended their partnership on the eve of their rematch for the title of absolute world champion.

Krasyuk reported this on his page on the social network Instagram.

Usyk and Krasyuk have ended their cooperation

Boxer Oleksandr Usyk and Oleksandr Krasyuk, who is the CEO of the promotional company K2 Promotions Ukraine, began collaborating in 2013.

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The tandem worked for 12 years. During this period, Usyk had 23 fights, which ended in his victory.

Krasyuk announced the end of their cooperation, wishing Alexander success in the future.

— It has been an incredible journey — 12 years of incredible success. Two young dreamers met to change the rules of the game. Back in 2013, I gave my word — and I kept it. Back then, no one believed that we could achieve what we had planned. But by the grace of God, we accomplished the impossible mission, — he wrote, adding that the dream came true.

Krasyuk also confirmed to Tribuna.com that the collaboration had ended.

During his time with Krasyuk, Usyk won the WBO (2016), WBO and WBC (2018) titles and became the absolute heavyweight champion (2018). He received the WBO, WBA and IBF (2021) belts in the heavyweight division and became the absolute world champion in this category in 2024.

The Usyk-Dubois rematch will take place on July 19 in London. The Ukrainian will defend the belts he owns and fight to regain the IBF title, which he vacated in the summer of 2024 before his second fight with Tyson Fury.

Dubois and Usyk already met in August 2023. Then Alexander won an early victory by technical knockout in the ninth round.

Soldiers of the special forces unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine “Kabul 9”, in cooperation with allied units, successfully destroyed a railway depot with fuel for the Russian army in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region.

This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

GUR Destroyed Russian Fuel Depot in Zaporozhye

The scouts, in cooperation with the Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine, the Alpha unit and the State Special Communications Service Next group, attacked a freight train of Russian invaders.

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— Another successful rumble, provided by the hands of the masters of military intelligence strike drones, occurred on the railway section between the settlements of Levadnoye and Molochansk, — the Main Intelligence Directorate reported.

The Ukrainian drone strike on Russian fuel tanks sent black columns of smoke and fire into the sky.

Intelligence notes that the destruction of fuel reserves causes significant damage to the logistical support of Russian troops in the region.

Earlier, GUR agents de-energized military-industrial complex and Russian army facilities in Kaliningrad.

At that time, the power supply to the facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex and the Russian Armed Forces located in the area where the special operation was being conducted was completely cut off.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the application of new sanctions by Ukraine against those who cooperate with the occupier on our land.

The head of state reported this on social networks. In addition, the corresponding decree No. 417/2025 was posted on the presidential website.

Zelensky imposed sanctions against individuals who conduct business in the VOT

— The sanctions list includes individuals and legal entities that conduct business in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, in particular in Crimea, and also help justify aggression, consider it normal to earn money under occupation, and pay taxes to the occupier, — the president noted.

According to him, today's decree is only the beginning of a larger effort to impose sanctions against such individuals.

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He added that there is already information from the special services – and the reaction will be fundamental. Zelensky also announced the following sanctions decisions.

The sanctions list includes fugitive MP Artem Dmitruk, boxing coach Eduard Menchakov, film producer Vladislav Ryashin, former MP Oleksandr Onishchenko , and others. In total, the list includes 13 individuals and 8 legal entities.

The President stressed that work is ongoing to fully synchronize Ukrainian sanctions with the decisions of partners. He stressed that justice must prevail in all jurisdictions and really limit all those who chose Russia and war.

The 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship will be held from 11 to 29 June in Slovakia.

The matches are played in eight stadiums in Slovak cities, including Bratislava, Košice, Trnava, Žilina, Nitra, Dunajská Streda, Prešov and Trenčín.

Among the 16 participants in the tournament was the Ukraine U-21 team, which finished its performance at the group stage, taking third place in Group D.

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ICTV Facts presents the schedule and results of the UEFA Euro 2025 matches among U-21 teams.

Euro 2025 U-21: tournament calendar

• Group stage – June 11-18;
• 1/4 finals – June 21-22;
• Semi-finals – June 25;
• The final is June 28.

Euro U21 2025: Schedule and Results

Euro 2025 U-21: 1/2 finals

Wednesday, June 25

• 19:00. England – Netherlands.

Euro 2025 U-21: 1/4 finals

Sunday, June 22

• 19:00. Denmark – France;
• 22:00. Germany – Italy.

Saturday, June 21

• 19:00. Portugal – Netherlands – 0:1;
• 22:00. Spain – England – 1:3.

At the group stage, all participants are divided into groups of four teams each. According to the regulations, the two best teams from each quartet advance to the quarter-final stage.

Euro 2025 U21: Group Stage

Wednesday, June 11

• 19:00. Slovakia – Spain (Group A) – 2:3;
• 22:00. Italy – Romania (Group A) – 1:0;
• 22:00. Portugal – France (Group C) – 0:0;
• 22:00. Poland – Georgia (Group C) – 1:2.

Thursday, June 12

• 19:00. Ukraine – Denmark (Group D) – 2:3;
• 22:00. Czech Republic – England (Group B) – 1:3;
• 22:00. Germany – Slovenia (Group B) – 3:0;
• 22:00. Finland – Netherlands (Group D) – 2:2.

Saturday, June 14

• 19:00. Spain – Romania (Group A) – 2:1;
• 22:00. Slovakia – Italy (Group A) – 0:1;
• 22:00. Portugal – Poland (Group C) – 5:0;
• 22:00. France – Georgia (Group C) – 2:1.

Sunday, June 15

• 19:00. England – Slovenia (Group B) – 0:0;
• 19:00. Finland – Ukraine (Group D) – 0:2;
• 22:00. Czech Republic – Germany (Group B) – 2:4;
• 22:00. Netherlands – Denmark (Group D) – 1:2.

Tuesday, June 17

• 19:00. Georgia – Portugal (Group C) – 0:4;
• 19:00. France – Poland (Group C) – 4:1;
• 22:00. Romania – Slovakia (Group A) – 1:2;
• 22:00. Spain – Italy (Group A) – 1:1.

Wednesday, June 18

• 19:00. Denmark – Finland (Group D) – 2:2;
• 19:00. Netherlands – Ukraine (Group D) – 2:0;
• 22:00. Slovenia – Czech Republic (Group B) – 0:2;
• 22:00. England – Germany (Group B) – 1:2.

The current European U-21 champions are England, who beat Spain 1-0 in the 2023 decider.

The Ukrainian youth team at Euro 2023 reached the semi-finals, where they lost to the Spanish.

Ukrainian footballer Georgiy Sudakov and two Spaniards Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez were the tournament's top scorers with three goals.

Russian state corporations are actively promoting infrastructure projects in African countries as an instrument of the Kremlin’s political influence.

This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR).

Russia is trying to increase its influence in Africa

The strategy covers railway construction, nuclear energy and educational programs to create a loyal elite.

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In particular, Russian Railways is considering the implementation of large-scale projects in Burkina Faso, Ghana and South Africa as part of the concept for developing its foreign presence until 2030.

“Russian influence on Africa through infrastructure projects is a destabilizing factor that, under the guise of development assistance, leads to dependence on Moscow. The Russians are using this approach at the global level,” notes Andrey Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate.

According to intelligence data, in May the concept of humanitarian expansion of Russian Railways was approved, which provides for the financing of Russian-language schools, specialized lyceums and the attraction of foreign students through scholarship programs to study in Russia.

A separate area was the creation of a joint university with Russia in South Africa, which will be able to serve students from all over the African continent and develop pro-Russian personnel on a long-term basis.

At the same time, the state corporation Rosatom is promoting projects aimed at forming a technological elite loyal to the Kremlin.

In addition to training personnel for nuclear power plants, the creation of a full-fledged national educational system oriented towards Russian interests is being considered.

In particular, the possibility of opening branches of Russian universities near the nuclear power plant in Egypt near Alexandria is being studied as an element of long-term personnel influence on the region.

Intelligence emphasizes that this strategy pursues the goal not so much of economic development of African countries, but of creating dependence on Russian technologies and forming a loyal political environment for advancing Moscow’s geopolitical interests.

Earlier, the GUR reported that Russia is losing influence in the African region of Sahel, which includes 12 African countries with a population of over 300 million people.