Last news • War in Ukraine
AFU repelled 136 Russian assaults, essentially the most tough state of affairs is on the Pokrovsk route
Because the starting of the day on June 18, the AFU have repelled 136 Russian assaults, the enemy carried out 32 airstrikes. Probably the most tense state of affairs persists within the Pokrovsk route, the place 36 assaults have been repelled.
Once I was in school and discovered about World Struggle II, my grandmother informed me what she remembered of her wartime childhood on the English coast. Rising up close to a Royal Navy base, she survived numerous nighttime air raids.
Most of all, she remembered precisely how the Blitz sounded — the sirens, the terrifying throb of German plane overhead, the whistle of bombs, and the eventual explosions that ripped into her hometown evening after evening.
In Kyiv, in 2025, Russia offers a special form of sensory expertise.
There are not any Russian bombers above the sky of Ukraine’s capital — they launch their missiles from a whole lot, if not hundreds, of kilometers away. However I do hear Russia’s lethal Shahed-type drones, waves of which Russia often sends to the Ukrainian capital beneath the quilt of darkness.
These aren’t the small, first-person view drones used on the battlefield or in opposition to cities close to the entrance. The drones within the sky above Kyiv have a wingspan of round 3 meters, they usually sound extra like lawnmowers or mopeds (as Ukrainians colloquially name them).
Shaheds usually begin to strategy Kyiv after sundown, and assaults generally final till dawn. Which means that the fear inflicted on a metropolis of over three million folks is primarily an audio expertise, relatively than visible. I’ve by no means seen a Shahed, however I’ve discovered, unwillingly, to acknowledge the sound from numerous distances. I’ve additionally discovered how several types of air protection sound, from deep, far-off booms on the opposite facet of the Dnipro River to automated gunfire from the again of vehicles on the road beneath my house.
After some time, you utilize decibels as a foundation for understanding how a lot hazard you’re in.
Sound of Shahed drone. (Elsa Courtroom)0:00/0:131×
If a Shahed drone will get too shut, I hear its buzz rise to a nauseating pitch. Then, if I’m very unfortunate, the noise screeches till what sounds just like the engine reducing out. Silence for a heart-stopping second. Then the blast. I textual content my buddies in several elements of town to check what we’ve simply heard — “That one appeared loud, proper? Was it downed, or did we hear successful?”
Within the morning, in a sleep-deprived state, we discover a sensitivity to on a regular basis sounds. It may very well be the whir of an electrical automobile engine accelerating, or the thrill of an automated parcel locker, as one pal talked about to me. It’s not simply the sound of drones that may put folks on edge, both. A couple of weeks again, one of many first summer time storms got here to the skies above Kyiv. Social media was stuffed with posts about how the reverberation of the thunder gave the impression of an prolonged missile explosion. “Don’t fear, it’s simply the sound of Zeus at work,” some folks joked.
Once I’m exterior Ukraine, the acoustic affect of battle turns into much more absurd. In London, I as soon as paused a dialog to take heed to a practice going over the tracks within the distance as a result of it sounded uncannily just like the rhythm of automated gunfire of air protection items round Kyiv. At a live performance, I observed that the rising chords of a synthesizer echoed the whining notes of Ukrainian air raid alarms. A heavy truck driving by at excessive velocity can rattle window frames in the very same means an explosion from a ballistic missile does.
Automated gunfire of air protection. (Elsa Courtroom)0:00/0:211×
After all, the associations created by on a regular basis noises are far worse for my colleagues who work on the entrance line. Somebody shifting heavy out of doors furnishings on a concrete patio sounds, for a second, like outgoing artillery fireplace. A sudden beep of a automobile horn can set off a flinch. Listening to a vacationer’s drone filming what’s going to grow to be comfortable trip reminiscences can provoke an automated duck-and-cover response.
In my work, I attempt to discover methods to speak the significance of Russia’s battle in opposition to Ukraine to our readers, the overwhelming majority of whom aren’t in Ukraine and have by no means skilled this type of battle. However generally, it’s tough to convey the truth on the bottom by means of information articles and information when a lot of Russia’s technique in opposition to civilians appears to be designed to create a sensory overload.
I keep in mind studying articles concerning the energy cuts of the winter of 2022-2023, and the way the hum of turbines took over the streets of Ukrainian cities. It was solely once I got here to Kyiv in 2024, nonetheless, and skilled a summer time of energy cuts after Russia destroyed practically all of Ukraine’s energy grid in spring that I actually understood what this “hum” meant in actuality.
When practically each enterprise was pressured to make use of a generator to remain open, there have been few locations you possibly can comfortably sit exterior after work. It’s simple to take as a right now, however there have been elements of Kyiv the place you couldn’t maintain a dialog on the road with a pal. Amid a warmth wave, there was no electrical energy for air-con, however you couldn’t go away your window open for lengthy earlier than the sound (and scent of diesel fumes) made it insufferable. In case you walked to work, your ideas have been drowned out by the omnipresent vibrations.
The information on the time largely mirrored the financial injury of Russia’s assaults on Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure (and fears for a winter with out energy), however I keep in mind how the fixed assault in your senses started to chip away at morale. When a rolling blackout ended, and the facility got here again, I felt instant reduction that there can be just a few hours of silence earlier than the turbines have been turned on once more.
The purpose is to intimidate Ukrainians not simply by means of sheer violence (these assaults often kill folks of their properties), but in addition by means of the noise of fixed bombardments.
The affect in your listening to could be very a lot an meant facet impact of Russia’s extra normal marketing campaign of terror. There’s little army benefit to waves of Shaheds direct at Kyiv. Most are downed by Ukrainian air protection items, however that doesn’t spare civilians from the terrifying sound of hours of explosions for the whole evening. The purpose is to intimidate Ukrainians not simply by means of sheer violence (these assaults often kill folks of their properties), but in addition by means of the noise of fixed bombardments.
It may be exhausting to sleep when you will have a loud upstairs neighbor. Now, think about that neighbor is Russia, and it’s sending weapons that buzz and bang all evening on goal. It’s an efficient type of psychological warfare, should you can guarantee a whole metropolis spends the following day sleep disadvantaged, low in vitality, and delicate to the smallest of sounds.
I don’t want that these exterior Ukraine begin to affiliate on a regular basis noises with lethal weapons. However understanding what the battle feels like in Kyiv would possibly assist others comprehend what sort of enemy we’re coping with, and the sound of terror that hundreds of thousands of civilians are pressured to stay with.
Certainly one of my colleagues often wears a hoodie with the phrases “Russia is a terrorist state” on the entrance — it’s no coincidence that that is somebody who has grow to be significantly delicate to sound.
Editor’s Observe: The opinions expressed within the op-ed part are these of the authors and don’t purport to replicate the views of the Kyiv Unbiased.
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The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
The enemy attacked civilian infrastructure within the Sumy neighborhood with MLRS
A number of explosions had been recorded within the Sumy neighborhood after 9 PM. In keeping with preliminary data, the assault was carried out with long-range MLRS on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Happily, there have been no casualties.
Throughout a focused operation, Ukraine's army intelligence (HUR) killed Mykhailo Hrytsai, a senior collaborator with Russian occupation authorities in Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a HUR supply advised the Kyiv Unbiased on June 18.
In accordance with the supply, Hrytsai was straight concerned in organizing repressions in opposition to the native Ukrainian inhabitants and establishing torture chambers for prisoners of struggle.
The collaborator was shot lifeless within the metropolis utilizing a silenced PM pistol, the supply mentioned.
Hrytsai served because the Russian-installed deputy mayor liable for infrastructure, housing, utilities, and the power sector. The supply additionally mentioned he facilitated the unlawful seizure of municipal and state property in Berdiansk.
"There are nonetheless loads of such targets — collaborators, accomplices of the enemy — within the occupied territories of Ukraine," the supply mentioned.
"We will certainly get to each one among them and put an finish to their prison actions by any means crucial: with or with no silencer, quietly or loudly, however at all times successfully."
A local of Poltava Oblast, Hrytsai had beforehand participated in Ukrainian political life. He was an assistant to a member of parliament and headed the Berdiansk department of the Socialist Ukraine get together earlier than siding with Russian occupation forces.
Berdiansk, a port metropolis on the Azov Sea, has been below Russian management for the reason that early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022. It stays a vital logistics hub for Russian forces, facilitating the transport of looted Ukrainian grain and different sources.
On Feb. 20, one other focused strike in Berdiansk killed Yevgeny Bogdanov, the deputy head of the Russian-installed administration, in line with Ukrainian army intelligence.
The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko
Occupiers go away residents of TOT with out communication beneath the pretext of “safety” – CNS
Cell communication and web have been unavailable for over per week within the quickly occupied territories of Ukraine, significantly in Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia areas. The CNS believes it is a step by the occupiers to suppress resistance and conceal crimes.
U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned on June 18 that he had turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin's supply to mediate the escalating battle between Israel and Iran.
"I spoke to him yesterday, and, you understand, he truly supplied to assist mediate. I mentioned, do me a favor. Mediate your personal," Trump advised reporters. "Let's mediate Russia first, okay? I mentioned, Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first. You may fear about this later."
Trump's feedback come simply days after he had mentioned he was "open" to the concept of Putin serving as a mediator between Israel and Iran, sparking criticism from U.S. allies. On June 15, Trump claimed Putin was "prepared" and had mentioned the likelihood at size in a current cellphone name.
Putin, whose nation has been deepening navy cooperation with Tehran, spoke individually with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 13. He condemned Israel's air strikes on Iran and supplied Russian mediation.
These strikes, described by Israel as "preemptive," concerned 200 warplanes and 330 munitions focusing on Iranian nuclear and navy websites. Iran responded with missile assaults on Israeli cities, together with Tel Aviv, that killed no less than 5 Ukrainian residents on June 14.
Putin's supply of mediation has been dismissed by a number of Western leaders.
Trump says Putin supplied to mediate within the battle between Israel and Iran.
Trump: "Do me a favor. Mediate your personal. Let's mediate Russia first. I mentioned, Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first. You may fear about this later.”
pic.twitter.com/2JOL6noPX3— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) June 18, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned Russia "can’t be a mediator," given its battle in opposition to Ukraine. EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas echoed that sentiment, saying on June 17 that Putin "can’t be trusted to mediate peace" whereas persevering with to wage battle on Ukrainian civilians.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned on June 17 that Israel appeared unwilling to just accept Moscow's mediation. Israel has not publicly commented on the supply.
Ukraine, which has been focused by hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed drones and missiles equipped to Russia, warned that Tehran is a "supply of issues" each regionally and globally.
Regardless of Trump's newest rebuke of Putin's mediation ambitions, the U.S. president has continued to keep away from putting extra sanctions on Moscow, even because the Kremlin refuses to comply with a ceasefire in its battle in opposition to Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Verkhovna Rada Committee supported the decision on recognizing the DPRK as an aggressor – MP
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on International Coverage supported the draft decision on recognizing the DPRK as a state-aggressor. The doc supplies for an attraction to worldwide organizations relating to sanctions in opposition to the DPRK for supplying weapons to Russia.
Russia on June 18 warned the world is "millimetres away from disaster" attributable to Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, simply 4 months after one among its personal drones struck the Chornobyl nuclear web site in Ukraine.
Russian International Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Israel of escalating the danger of a nuclear incident within the Center East, regardless of Russia's personal report of repeatedly each inserting nuclear amenities throughout its full-scale invasion, and threatening the usage of nuclear weapons.
On Feb. 14, Russian forces struck the Chornobyl nuclear facility with a Shahed drone, hitting the protecting sarcophagus that encases Reactor No. 4, web site of the 1986 nuclear catastrophe.
Injury was restricted, and no radiation leakage occurred, however the act was extensively condemned as a deliberate provocation timed to coincide with the Munich Safety Convention.
President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to as the assault on the Chornobyl plant "a terrorist menace to the entire world." Ukrainian officers and nuclear safety specialists mentioned the strike was unlikely to trigger important radioactive contamination however served as a warning of Russia's willingness to weaponize concern of nuclear catastrophe.
Russia has additionally intensified strikes close to different nuclear amenities in Ukraine, together with infrastructure related to the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant, which Moscow's forces have used as a navy base since early within the struggle.
Analysts view the assaults as a part of a broader marketing campaign of intimidation aimed toward pressuring Kyiv and its allies right into a settlement.
Zakharova's feedback observe rising worldwide concern over the rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Russia has positioned itself as a possible mediator within the battle, although European leaders have dismissed the Kremlin's neutrality attributable to its deepening navy ties with Tehran and ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin "can’t be trusted" to mediate peace within the Center East whereas launching mass strikes on Ukrainian cities, EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas mentioned on June 17. Her remarks got here after a Russian missile assault killed no less than 28 civilians in Kyiv and injured over 130.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned Israel has thus far rejected Moscow's mediation provide. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned over the weekend that Putin had expressed willingness to assist mediate.
Russia continues to obtain navy assist from Iran, together with drones and missiles utilized in assaults throughout Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Russia's large strike on Ukraine on June 17 claimed 30 lives, with 188 injured – SES
Russia carried out an enormous strike on Ukraine on June 17, which resulted in 30 deaths and 188 accidents. Kyiv was most affected, the place 23 individuals died in a nine-story constructing within the Solomyansky district.
President Volodymyr Zelensky might rethink attending the NATO summit in The Hague, as questions stay over U.S. President Donald Trump's participation, the Guardian reported on June 17, citing unnamed Ukrainian officers.
In keeping with the Guardian, some in Kyiv are uncertain if Zelensky's presence on the June 24-25 summit could be worthwhile and not using a confirmed assembly with Trump, whom they’d hoped to have interaction straight in efforts to stress Russian President Vladimir Putin into accepting a ceasefire.
Earlier, Zelensky had traveled to the G7 summit in Canada, hoping to fulfill one-on-one with Trump and push for stronger sanctions in opposition to Russia. Trump left the summit early, citing the disaster within the Center East, and no bilateral assembly or joint G7 assertion came about.
One official informed the Guardian that Ukraine is in a "everlasting hazard" of turning into a sufferer of "Trump's quick consideration span," including that Russia has exploited this uncertainty by contemporary aerial assaults. The supply added that there had been "all kinds of guarantees for this summit," together with U.S. arms.
The Russian assault on Ukraine that occurred through the G7 summit killed a minimum of 24 civilians and injured 134 in Kyiv. Trump has not responded to the assault as of the day after.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reportedly mentioned Trump had beforehand promised to attend the NATO gathering, although no official affirmation has been issued from Washington.
Regardless of the setback, Zelensky mentioned the G7 assembly had concrete outcomes for Ukraine. In a Telegram submit on June 17, he thanked companions for elevated navy assist, new sanctions on Russia, and the choice to allocate frozen Russian property for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
"It will be important that our companions are prepared not solely to assist our protection now, but additionally to rebuild Ukraine collectively after the warfare ends," he mentioned.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced a assist bundle that features 2 billion Canadian {dollars} ($1.5 billion) in navy help and one other $1.6 billion in reconstruction loans. The help consists of drones, armored automobiles, ammunition, and sanctions to disrupt Russia's power revenues.
U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer additionally unveiled new sanctions focusing on Russia's military-industrial complicated and 20 oil tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet."
Zelensky later informed G7 leaders that "diplomacy is now in a state of disaster" and referred to as on allies to press Trump to "use his actual affect" to assist finish the warfare.
Ukraine has been invited to the NATO summit, and Zelensky beforehand referred to as the invitation "vital" throughout a June 2 press briefing. On the time, he didn’t affirm whether or not he would attend in individual.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir