Photo : Defence Industry Europe
Photo : Defence Industry Europe
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 13 June, Ukrinform reported that the Ukrainian Air Forces had taken down 43 of 55 decoy drones, Shahed drones, and UAVs that were coming at Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Four Iskander-M/KN023 ballistic missiles were launched from Voronezh and Rostov regions in Russia. The primary targets were Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. At dawn, the defence units neutralised 43 drones across the north, east, and south of Ukraine, and of the total, 28 were destroyed by direct fire and 15 were suppressed or lost due to electronic warfare.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 12 June, The Moscow Times reported that Russia has relocated its war planes following the destruction of 41 aircraft in the Operation Spiderweb. These warplanes have been moved to remote airbases across the country. Satellite images by AviVector showcase the movement of all Tu-160 bombers that were stationed in Belaya and from Olenya air base. Two of the airplanes were redeployed to Anadyr in the Chukotka region and three to Yelizovo in the Kamchatka region.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 12 June, The Moscow Times reported that Ukraine and Russia have confirmed the third set of prisoner swaps as per the peace talks in Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of the third set of soldiers, which included the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service. Presently, all the troops returned are undergoing treatment.
On 12 June, Reuters reported that, according to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the US supports Russia’s goal for a bright future, and affirms its desire for peace with the war against Ukraine. On Russia Day, He stated that the US is committed to supporting the Russians, and together they will develop a great future. He added that both countries will use this opportunity and ensure peace between Russia and Ukraine. This comes following the meeting between Moscow’s ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, and US President Donald Trump.
On 12 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that the majority of G7 nations have agreed to lower the price of Russian oil from USD 60 to USD 45 per barrel. Europe, Canada is in favour of the proposal, even if the US does not support them. The reduction in the price bans the western companies from shipping and servicing the Russian oil if they are sold below USD 60 per barrel, which was agreed in 2022.
On 12 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that Germany is to deliver the newly developed IRIS-T air defence systems to Ukraine, as part of their three-year supply plan. A press conference between Zelenskyy and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin has agreed on the plan. The announcement comes following the constant aerial strikes in Kyiv and other regions in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that they are grateful for the supply of the IRIS-T defence systems, and the support from Germany is of great importance. The IRIS-T is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system that can intercept drones, aircraft, and missiles. Pistorius said that the delivery will be made on time and has ruled out the possibility of sending the Taurus missiles, per several requests made by Kyiv. He added that Germany is the largest donor in Europe and has provided EUR nine billion in aid in 2025, along with defence expenditure.
On 12 June, RT reported that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized all the countries that sent congratulatory messages to Russia in honour of Russia Day. He called out Rubio for their greetings to Russia. He said at the Weimar+ summit in Rome that there can be no rewards for an aggressor state, and a country like Ukraine must have a moral right at this.
On 12 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, has confirmed the return of Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia in the Russian-occupied territories. It has been recorded that since 2022, around 20,000 children have been abducted, and currently, 1359 children have returned home. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that Russia unlawfully deported 150,000 children.
References
“Rubio marks Russia Day, reaffirms calls for peace with Ukraine,” Reuters, 12 June 2025
“G7 ready to lower Russian oil price cap without US support, Reuters reports,” The Kyiv Independent, 12 June 2025
“Germany to supply new Iris-T air defence systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles,” The Kyiv Independent, 12 June 2025
“Russia and Ukraine Announce Third POW Exchange This Week,” The Moscow Times, 12 June 2025
“Ukraine complains about global Russia Day congratulations,” RT, 12 June 2025
“Ukraine secures return of 5 children from Russia, Russian-occupied territories,” The Kyiv Independent, 13 June 2025
“Russia Relocates Strategic Bombers After Ukraine's 'Spider's Web' Drone Attack,” The Moscow Times, 12 June 2025