Photo : Atlantic Council
Photo : Atlantic Council
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 June, Euronews reported that, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, Russian forces have reached the western edge of the Donetsk region and are developing an offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region. This is the first time that Russian troops have entered the enemy regions.
On 07 June, The Moscow Times reported that Ukrainian troops shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in the Kursk region. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the air operation coming at the Kursk region was successful, and there was footage released which shows that the jet in fire.
On 08 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia launched 206 Shahed drones, decoys, and missiles. The Ukrainian air force reported that they had shot down six cruise missiles in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and the Rostov region. Ukraine downed 87 combat drones, and 80 of them were neutralised by the electronic warfare system and disappeared from the radar.
On 09 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that a Ukrainian drone attacked the Progress facility in Russia, the JSC-VNIIR, in the city of Cheboksary, Chuvashia. The VNIIR Progress Facility is a state-owned institute that specialises in the development of warfare systems, such as jamming satellites, radio, and radar signals. Head of the Chuvashia Republic, Oleg Nikolayev, said that two drones landed on the premises at dawn.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 08 June, Euronews reported that French automotive and defence companies are going to produce drones for Ukraine against its war with Russia. In the three years of the war, drones have been used, which is one of the most strategic weapons used in the 21st century. Russia uses Iranian Shaheds, and have begun manufacturing them, whereas Ukraine cannot use the same production capacity, and requires development, innovation, and effective models like the ones used in the Operation Spiderweb. French automotive giant Renault has confirmed that they are producing the drones. In response to this, Defence Minister Sebastien Leconu calls this a “win-win” partnership.
On 08 June, Euractiv reported that Renault was contacted by the French Ministry of Armed Forces for the production of drones for Ukraine, but there has been no confirmation so far. This was followed by Lecournu’s announcement of their partnership with the car manufacturer. The project looks at opening production sites in Ukraine, 100 kms away from the front lines. Lecournu added that following the Operation Spider Web, Ukrainians are much ahead in the innovation of drones, as well as in developing effective combat doctrines.
On 09 June, The Kyiv Independent reported on the US expectations of Russia following the Operation Spiderweb. U.S. officials state that Russia will launch a large-scale, prolonged attack on Ukraine. There have been no responses from Russia so far, and there is no confirmation on the timing or the plans of attack, but there will be long-range missiles, drones and attacks in certain places.
On 08 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that the newly elected President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, said to the Hungarian reporters that he did not favour Ukraine’s entry into the EU. He added that regarding the war, they must support Ukraine, but they should also take into consideration the interests of countries like Hungary, Poland, and the other member states.
On 08 June, Ukrinform reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looks forward to the G7 Summit in Canada and the NATO Summit in the Netherlands. He said that Ukrainian delegates who are to attend the meeting are ensuring that they are not hollow, and further added that the majority of negotiations will take place in Ukraine.
References
“Russian forces have reached the Dnipropetrovsk region, Moscow claims,” Euronews, 08 June 2025
“'Win-win partnership': French companies to manufacture drones in Ukraine,” Euronews, 08 June 2025
“Renault weighs drone production in Ukraine,” Euractiv, 08 June 2025
“Ukraine Says It Shot Down Russian Su-35 Fighter Jet Over Kursk Region,” The Moscow Times, 07 June 2025
“Russia hits Ukraine with 206 drones, 9 missiles overnight, Air Force says,” The Kyiv Independent, 09 June 2025
“'I am against Ukraine's entry into the European Union,' Polish president-elect Nawrocki says,” The Kyiv Independent, 09 June 2025
Abbey Fenbert, “Ukrainian drones hit Russian electronic warfare facility in Chuvashia Republic, media reports,” The Kyiv Independent, 09 June 2025
“Zelensky: We are doing everything to ensure June summits are not hollow,” Ukrinform, 08 June 2025