Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new international sanctions against Russia and the strengthening of domestic sanctions work against individuals cooperating with the Russian Federation. This comes amidst Russia's efforts to isolate Ukraine from the United States and cut off military aid.

In Odesa, a man was detained and notified of suspicion for the murder of seven-year-old Solomiya Tarasiuk, whose body was found with signs of violent death. The court remanded him in custody without the right to bail; the man faces life imprisonment for the crime.

Since the beginning of the day, 77 combat engagements have taken place on the front line, 29 of them in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian defenders are repelling enemy attacks and holding their positions along the entire front line.

On June 17, in the Kostiantynivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled a powerful assault by Russian invaders. 15 units of heavy armored vehicles were destroyed and about 50 occupiers were eliminated, including the so-called "bikers" on motorcycles.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming personnel changes, particularly in the diplomatic corps, with the aim of strengthening the country's potential in relations with international partners and internal stability. Detailed conclusions regarding these transformations will be made within a month, including a meeting with all Ukrainian ambassadors.

Russian propagandists are spreading a fake about the detention of Poles in Ukraine, accusing the SBU of "violating the integrity of Ukrainian territories. " The Center for Countering Disinformation refuted this information, emphasizing that no such detentions occurred.

Ukraine plans to sign agreements on technology export this summer, opening production lines in Europe. These enterprises will produce weapons, including drones, missiles, and artillery, for Ukraine and partner countries.

Ukraine won three medals at the European Canoe Sprint Championships in Račice, Czech Republic. Liudmyla Luzan won "silver", and Andrii Rybachok and Mykola Syniuk won "bronze".

Russia forcibly recruits Central Asian citizens, using promises of easy money and short-term contracts, to send them to the most dangerous sections of the front. Most of these "volunteers" die, and those who survive face criminal prosecution in their homeland.

Ukraine's junior national team won three gold medals on the first day of the Underwater Sports World Championship held in the Greek city of Chios. Yelyzaveta Hrechykihina, Veronika Vorobyova, and the 4x100 relay team became champions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia seeks to separate Ukraine from the US to stop military aid and delay sanctions. He noted that diplomatic meetings are a chance for Russia to procrastinate and avoid new restrictions.

President Zelenskyy refutes reports of Patriot systems being destroyed. He also notes that mobile air defense groups shoot down a third of "Shaheds", and Ukraine has contracted more weapons than in any other year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there are 695,000 Russian military personnel on the territory of Ukraine. In the Sumy direction, the enemy advanced 200 meters, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine pushed them back 200-400 meters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that among the bodies of servicemen handed over by Russia, 20 were found to be "Russians", some of whom had Russian passports. He noted that Ukraine does not want to return "Russians" merely for the sake of numbers.

US President's Special Representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, met with Alexander Lukashenka in Minsk. International and regional issues, as well as Belarusian-American relations, were discussed.

On June 21, 2025, President of Ukraine Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 416/2025. By this decree, Ruslan Kravchenko was appointed Prosecutor General.

In army aviation explained why Ukraine should modernize Soviet equipment.

During the night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 280 aerial assault means: 272 drones, 2 "Kinzhal" missiles, 4 "Kalibr" missiles, 2 "Iskander-K" missiles. Air defense neutralized 260 targets. The main strike was directed at Kremenchuk, where hits were recorded.

From September 2026, Ukraine will cease funding teachers' salaries in schools with fewer than 60 students, excluding elementary grades. Local self-government bodies will now decide whether to transport students to larger schools or pay teachers' salaries from local budgets.

The UN Security Council discussed Russia's massive shelling of Ukraine, including the June 17 attack on Kyiv, which killed 28 people. The Assistant Secretary-General of the UN emphasized that the number of civilian casualties increased by 47% in 2025 compared to 2024.

The "Minefield Honey" project by Saatchi&Saatchi Ukraine won gold at the Cannes Lions 2025 festival. This award was the first in Ukraine's history at this prestigious international creativity festival.

On June 20, 188 combat engagements were recorded at the front. The Armed Forces of Ukraine hit 18 areas of concentration of enemy personnel and equipment, as well as other important objects.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, ahead of the NATO summit, expressed doubt about the feasibility of the continued existence of the North Atlantic Alliance, emphasizing the need to adapt to changed conditions. He believes that "times have changed" and called on NATO to cooperate with the Global South, and also noted the decreasing influence of the European Union.

Over the past day, the Defense Forces eliminated 1060 Russian occupiers and 116 units of enemy vehicles. The total enemy losses from February 24, 2022, to June 21, 2025, have reached over 1 million personnel.

On Saturday, June 21, cool weather with short-term rains and thunderstorms is expected in Ukraine, mainly in the western and northern regions. Temperatures will range from +18°C to +25°C, with the highest values in the south.

A resident of Kherson region was notified of suspicion of participating in the Wagner PMC and hostilities against Ukraine. He was awarded three times by the occupiers for participating in battles, including the medal "Participant of the Battle of Bakhmut".

On the night of June 21, an air alert was declared in Kyiv and all regions of Ukraine due to the threat of the use of ballistic weapons from the northeast.

Donald Trump announced successful mediation in concluding a peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, which had been at war for decades. Representatives of the countries will arrive in Washington for the final signing of the agreement.

The Latvian Saeima approved a statement in support of Ukraine's earliest invitation to NATO ahead of the summit in The Hague. Inviting Ukraine to the Alliance will be a significant signal of its clear path to membership.

The State Security Service of Latvia urges to refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation and Belarus due to high recruitment risks. Citizens who cannot avoid traveling are advised to use special security measures with electronic devices.