News

US President Donald Trump has stated that Russia may have territorial ambitions that extend beyond the territory of Ukraine.

Analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have previously stated that Russia is preparing for conflict with NATO and creating conditions to justify future aggression against former Soviet republics that are not members of NATO.

Trump's Statement on Putin's Ambitions

Thus, on June 25, during the NATO summit, a journalist asked Donald Trump whether the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine. To this, Trump replied: It is possible.

Now watching

ISW analysts previously noted that Russia is preparing its army and society for a possible future conflict with NATO after the end of the war in Ukraine.

Thus, military reforms, the integration of veterans into local, regional and federal government, as well as propaganda to justify future aggression against NATO are planned in Russia.

ISW analysts note that the Kremlin is using the same rhetoric as it did against Ukraine before the start of a full-scale war in 2022.

Russia actively uses the concept of “compatriots abroad” – the Russian-speaking population that supposedly needs to be protected – this will be one of the justifications for aggression against former Soviet republics. This concerns Moldova and the Baltic states.

Moscow also promotes its concept of the “Russian world,” an ideological geographic concept that includes all the former territories of Kievan Rus, the Muscovite Tsardom, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the modern Russian Federation. Putin has repeatedly claimed that these are supposedly historical territories of Russia.

“Thus, Donald Trump’s statements coincide with the ISW assessment that Russia has territorial ambitions that extend beyond the territory of Ukraine, and Moscow will continue to realize these ambitions until Putin is forced to revise his theory of victory,” the ISW Institute noted.

Russia shows no willingness to move forward in peace talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have eliminated at least 1,100 Russian occupiers on the front.

This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Enemy losses in the war as of June 26, 2025

Personnel – about 1,015,750 (+1,100) people,

Now watching

tanks – 10968 (+1) units,

combat armored vehicles – 22892 (+7) units,

artillery systems – 29617 (+48) units,

MLRS – 1425 units,

air defense systems – 1188 units,

aircraft – 416 units,

helicopters – 337 units,

Operational-tactical level UAVs – 42153 (+107) units,

cruise missiles – 3388 units,

ships/boats – 28 units,

submarines – 1 unit,

motor vehicles and tank trucks – 53195 (+111) units,

special equipment – 3921 (+1) units.

The General Staff notes that this is not the final data on enemy losses.

On the night of June 26, Russian occupiers once again attacked Ukraine with attack UAVs. Moscow also complained about the “babvovna” due to the drones.

Before this, in Strasbourg, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset signed a historic agreement to create a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

More details about these and other main events of the night and morning of June 26 are in the ICTV Facts collection.

Now watching

• Drone attack on Ukraine
• Explosions in Kherson region
• Drone attack on Moscow
• Agreement on a Special Tribunal for the Russian Federation

Drone attack on Ukraine

At night, Russian drones once again attacked Ukraine – mainly from the eastern direction and the Black Sea, in particular in the direction of the Belgorod-Dnistrovsky district of the Odessa region.

Local OVAs had not reported any possible consequences as of this morning.

However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported the destruction of three Shahed-type kamikaze drones.

Explosions in Kherson region

After midnight, Russian aircraft dropped KABs on houses in Tavrichesky, Belozersky district, Kherson region.

As reported by the chairman of the Kherson OVA, Alexander Prokudin, the bombs hit a residential building.

The strike injured a 34-year-old man. He suffered mine-explosive and craniocerebral injuries, contusion and shrapnel wound to the thigh.

At first, doctors assessed the victim's condition as moderate. However, it later became known that the injuries were incompatible with life – the man died.

Drone attack on Moscow

In the capital of the aggressor country and in the Moscow region there were complaints of explosions tonight.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin first announced the alleged downing of one UAV and the work of emergency services at the site of its wreckage, and then another one, but this time over the Moscow region.

At this time, temporary restrictions on the arrival and departure of aircraft were introduced at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport.

Agreement on a Special Tribunal for the Russian Federation

Late in the evening of June 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset signed an agreement on a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

This will make it possible to bring to justice those who unleashed the war against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter.

According to Zelensky, other institutions, even international ones, do not have the necessary tools for this, “and we must clearly show that aggression leads to punishment, and we must do this together throughout Europe.”

— The Hague awaits the culprits. There must be responsibility. Thank you for the Council of Europe taking the lead in this process. Justice will definitely be restored, — the head of state emphasized.

The full-scale war in Ukraine has been going on for 1,219 days.

The interactive map of military operations in Ukraine and the map of air raids in Ukraine allow you to monitor the situation in cities.

As of the end of the past day, 118 combat clashes have occurred on the front. The Russian invaders carried out 54 air strikes, dropping 80 guided aerial bombs. In addition, the Russians used 1,129 kamikaze drones to destroy and carried out 4,126 attacks on the positions of our troops and populated areas.

Map of military operations in Ukraine on June 26, 2025

Situation in Ukraine on June 26, 2025

Russian losses in the war as of June 26, 2025

Now watching

Britain will buy at least 12 F-35A fighter jets, which can carry nuclear warheads.

The country's Prime Minister Keir Starmer reported this online X.

“In an era of global instability, we can no longer take peace for granted. My government is investing in our national security by purchasing 12 new F-35A fighter jets, supporting thousands of high-skill jobs and opportunities for the working population. Safe at home, strong abroad,” he said.

Now watching

As he writes Sky News said it would be the most significant boost to Britain's nuclear capabilities in a generation.

“These dual-mission capable F-35s will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter the hostile threats facing the UK and our allies,” the prime minister said, as quoted by the publication.

It is not yet clear when the F-35A fighters will be acquired or how much they will cost, but the new squadron will be part of a NATO-led nuclear deterrent mission.

Britain to buy F-35 fighter jets

As they say on According to the British government's website, the decision will create 20,000 jobs and help support 100 businesses across the country.

The programme will see 15 per cent of the global aircraft supply chain based in the UK, with the new aircraft based at RAF Marham. In total, London plans to buy 138 F-35s over the life of the programme.

The government said the purchase of the aircraft would restore the RAF's nuclear role after Britain abandoned its air-launched nuclear weapons at the end of the Cold War.

The country will use the F-35A as part of NATO's mission to develop dual-capable nuclear aircraft.

Russian Telegram channels are spreading fake information about an alleged initiative by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina to ban travel abroad for women aged 18 to 27.

Stefanishyna herself and the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine announced the attempt at disinformation.

Russians spread rumors about alleged ban on Ukrainian women traveling abroad

“This confession is, of course, a deepfake of Ukrainian politics,” the Deputy Prime Minister wrote on Facebook, publishing screenshots of the fake messages.

The widespread fakes claim that Stefanishyna allegedly came up with a proposal at the legislative level to prohibit women of the specified age from leaving the territory of Ukraine, and that this “initiative” has already been supported by the Verkhovna Rada.

Now watching

The Center for Countering Disinformation explained that the video in question was the result of artificial intelligence, created using deepfake technologies.

The Center for Political Affairs emphasized that there are no draft laws in the Verkhovna Rada that would restrict women’s right to leave the country.

“The purpose of such leaks is to discredit government representatives and spread panic in Ukrainian society,” the Center for Political Affairs emphasized.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cooled European enthusiasm for new sanctions against Russia, surprising NATO foreign ministers he met the day before at the alliance's annual summit.

Politico writes about this.

Trump Knows When to Impose Sanctions on Russia

During a dinner ahead of a NATO summit on Tuesday, Rubio said the Senate would likely consider a bill to increase sanctions on Russia following the passage of President Donald Trump's massive fiscal initiative, known as the Big Good Bill.

Now watching

Rubio suggested the vote could happen as early as this week, according to four European diplomats familiar with the meeting.

Despite criticism from allies over the Trump administration's reluctance to take a tougher stance on Moscow, Rubio acknowledged that Russia is blocking peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.

However, the very next day, in an exclusive interview with Politico on the sidelines of the summit, he voiced the reasons for the US’s restrained approach to the new restrictions.

“If we do what everyone here wants, which is crush Russia with even more sanctions, then we will lose the opportunity to talk about a ceasefire. And then who will they talk to?” Rubio said.

He added that the president knows when the time is right to change course.

One senior U.S. official noted that Rubio consistently communicates three main messages:

• President Trump is convinced that the only way to end the war is through negotiations;
• new sanctions from the US will make it impossible for Washington to participate in the peace process;
• The US Senate is an independent body, and sooner or later it will still adopt sanctions.

Sanctions Bill in Congress

Although Sen. Lindsey Graham's bill already has more than 80 co-sponsors — enough to override a presidential veto — Senate Majority Leader John Thune is in no rush to take it up. He's waiting for a clear signal of support from Trump.

Rubio confirmed that the White House is working with Graham and other senators on the details to ensure the bill leaves the president flexibility to impose sanctions.

“It could happen. We've already discussed how to structure it. Because we think it should give the president flexibility in applying sanctions. And we haven't lifted any of the sanctions that are in place,” Rubio said.

Despite the muted rhetoric at the summit, where NATO officials tried to avoid actions that might irritate Trump, some European diplomats still expressed frustration with the lack of U.S. resolve on the war in Ukraine.

“In the end, it could look like Putin is leading Trump by the nose. Trump says he wants to end the war. But that can only happen if the pressure on Putin increases,” said one European diplomat.

All eyes are on the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on July 24 and 25. The event brought together leaders from around 40 countries, with important issues concerning the global security situation on the agenda.

An important moment was the meeting of the presidents of the USA and Ukraine on the NATO sidelines, and important decisions were made that directly concern our country.

Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko spoke to ICTV about the results of the NATO summit, the meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, and other important aspects of the event.

Now watching

NATO Summit in The Hague: Zelensky and Trump meet

What is important is that Zelensky and Trump met in the Netherlands on the sidelines of the summit. The Ukrainian president himself called the 45-minute conversation at the NATO summit “long and meaningful.” It was the first personal contact between the leaders of the states after Kyiv and Moscow resumed direct talks to try to end the war.

As Zelensky himself reported, he and Trump discussed the protection of Ukrainians from Russian attacks, first of all, there was a dialogue about the purchase of American air defense systems to protect our cities, people, churches and infrastructure.

“It was important for Zelensky to meet with Trump in order to convey our position, our point of view on issues that are important for Ukraine,” says the political scientist.

And certain positive statements have already been made by Trump. The head of the States said that the US will consider the possibility of supplying more air defense batteries to Ukraine.

As he writes Bloomberg, Zelensky tried to convince the US president to grant Kyiv permission to purchase weapons.

Vladimir Fesenko notes that Ukraine should not immediately expect any loud statements on the issue of American weapons supplies, and the final decision will most likely be made after certain meetings in Washington.

The leaders also discussed the ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, which have reached a dead end, in particular the conversation was about what to do next. The expert believes that the discussion was about greater involvement of the Americans in the process and a more active mediation role of the United States in the negotiations in order to push Russia towards peace.

“I think that the main emphasis in this issue, as the main instrument of pressure on Russia in the negotiation process, was weapons,” the expert adds.

According to the expert, Zelensky most likely spoke more at this meeting and explained the situation, while Trump perceived this information, perhaps asking questions. According to him, the US is not yet ready for more specific actions. Changes in US policy can be seen later, the political scientist says.

NATO Summit: Positive Signals for Ukraine

The summit itself was positive for Ukraine, the expert believes. And here's why.

• NATO countries increase defense spending

Firstly, a decision was made to strengthen Europe's defence capability. Thus, 32 allies pledged to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

“This decision is exactly in line with our interests,” the expert notes.

• Public recording of support for Ukraine and threats from the Russian Federation

And what in The abridged final document directly mentions the importance of supporting Ukraine and that the main challenge to NATO security is Russia, which certainly also corresponds to the interests of our state.

Another important aspect is that NATO’s decision to recognize Russia as a long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security did not meet with objections from the United States, as was the case earlier on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

“This is a definite positive change in the US position, something that has not happened before. Let's see what happens next, but even the public recording of both the threat from Russia and support for Ukraine is, in fact, a positive shift for us in relations with the States,” the political scientist emphasized.

• Ukraine's membership in NATO

The expert notes that, despite the fact that Trump does not touch on this issue, Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed in his public statements both before and after the NATO plenary session that the issue of Ukraine’s membership prospects is not being removed from the agenda.

— Here the official position is that there are decisions that were made earlier, in particular, that Ukraine retains the prospect of membership. If this decision is not withdrawn, it remains relevant, — the expert notes.

As Fesenko notes, in fact, Zelensky’s presence at the summit in the current complex context around NATO is also a sign that we are de facto in NATO.

– Yes, not de jure. And there is a problem in this aspect with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, with some others, even with Trump himself. But the fact that support for Ukraine will be counted as part of the defense spending of NATO countries de facto means that we are recognized as part of the NATO security system, part of the NATO defense system.

Of course, membership is not on the agenda now, because Trump views the membership issue as a concession to Russia in the negotiations. But de facto, we are recognized as a NATO partner and a partner that needs to be supported for the sake of NATO's defense interests, adds Vladimir Fesenko.

And what is important is that Zelensky is already a regular guest at NATO summits, and Ukraine is an important part of the military bloc’s agenda.

• New aid packages for Ukraine

Following the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at ministerial level, which took place in The Hague, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Andrey Sibiga announced new aid packages from international partners and investments that they plan to provide to our state.

In addition, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Zelensky held a meeting with the leaders of the E5 countries – Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland – and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Ukrainian president himself reported that they talked about strengthening Ukraine's air shield, in particular about air defense systems and interceptors of Iranian Shaheds.

In addition, Zelensky discussed increasing military support for Ukraine with the leaders of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

— At the bilateral meetings that took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit, specific agreements were recorded. In particular, this happened at Zelensky's meetings with European leaders. And first of all, this is that joint military production with NATO countries is beginning.

This is also a new trend, a new approach, which is very important for us. Because here we are talking about both financing of military production by our partners, and about joint production on the territory of partners, as a security measure, – the expert adds.

Overall, despite the alarming expectations regarding the NATO summit, which took place in a rather unusual short format, there were no scandals, excesses or Trump's demarches. And for Ukraine, there was more positive news – this was a public recognition of support for our state, and for Russia – a threat to global security, and new aid packages from international partners, within the framework of which supplies of air defense, shells, and drones were announced.

Also an important aspect in the interests of Ukraine was the decision on NATO countries to increase their defense spending.

In addition, a positive signal for Ukraine is not just the fact of Zelensky's meeting with Trump, but also its content, as indicated by the duration of the dialogue between the leaders. Usually, a conversation on the sidelines lasts no more than half an hour, but here the leaders of the United States and Ukraine spoke for more than 40 minutes.

Now all that remains is to wait to see what decisions will mature and how Trump will act next, in particular, what will happen on the negotiating track, whether the US will become more active in this process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement on a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Agreement on a Special Tribunal for the Investigation of the Crime of Aggression of the Russian Federation

The Council of Europe reports this.

“For the first time, a special international tribunal is being created to deal with crimes of aggression. This tribunal, created within the Council of Europe, will hold accountable those who have used force in violation of the UN Charter, applying international law without double standards and confirming that European security is not based on silence or impunity, but on law, principles and action,” Berset said.

Now watching

“This tribunal gives us a real chance to ensure justice for crimes of aggression. We need to clearly show that aggression leads to punishment, and we must ensure this together across Europe,” said Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russian troops have begun using improved versions of Iran's Shahed kamikaze drones, which are equipped with the latest technology – cameras, radio-controlled modules and artificial intelligence systems.

This was reported by the Associated Press.

Russia launches upgraded Shaheds

— Last week, Ukrainian drone hunters collecting debris from the nighttime assault on Russian cities found a weapon that stood out from the rest. The drone had an advanced camera, an artificial intelligence computing platform, and radio communications that allowed an operator to control it remotely from Russia, the article says.

The discovered drone also contained Iranian anti-jamming technology, indicating the active involvement of foreign solutions in the design of these drones.

Now watching

The Russian armed forces have recorded the appearance of so-called white Shaheds – drones with advanced functionality that are capable of hitting both stationary and moving targets, including critical infrastructure facilities.

New Shaheds contain expensive components

Due to the high cost of the electronics of such UAVs, experts assume that they will be used mainly for precision strikes.

Previous versions of the Shahed did not have the ability to change route or target moving objects, making them more vulnerable to Ukrainian air defenses.

The new version of the drones has a radio communication channel, thanks to which the operator can remotely control the device in real time, even while in Russia.

Chinese-made multi-channel antennas and Iranian-made electronic warfare (EW) modules have also been found among the wreckage of the recently downed drones, indicating that the new drones are hybrids that combine components from different countries.

Some experts suggest that some of the upgraded Shaheds may be manufactured not in Iran, but in Russia, in particular, at the production facilities of the Alabuga plant.

However, due to the high cost of components, mass production of such drones is not yet expected. The Russian side will probably focus on producing cheaper analogues called Geranium.

Despite the improvements, radio-controlled drones remain vulnerable to electronic warfare. This preserves Ukraine's potential for effectively countering the new threat from the sky.