Photo : AFP
Photo : AFP
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 27 June, Euronews reported that Ukrainian PoWs have been returned, as part of the deal with Russia. Many of these troops have been in Russia’s captivity since the beginning of the war, and a significant number of prisoners have been taken from Mariupol. The Russian Defence Ministry has also confirmed the return of their troops, who are currently in Belarus seeking medical care.
On 26 June, according to the head of the Ukrainian Army, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian troops have stopped Russian troops from advancing into the Sumy region. He visited the Sumy region and said that the pressure from Russia has been declining, and the current situation remains volatile. Sumy shares borders with the Kursk region in Russia, and since 2024 has occupied the region. The Kursk incursion came following Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s plan to create “security buffer zones” along the border to provide support to the borders shared with Ukraine. Since 2024, Russian troops have been advancing into the region. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had sent 50,000 of their strongest troops to the border region, as they created the buffer zone that stretches for 10 kilometres.
On 26 June, Reuters reported that Russian troops had taken over Shevchenko, in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, which is close to a lithium deposit. Moscow has claimed four villages, including Crimea. Russian Defence Ministry said that they have taken over Shevchenko, along with Novoserhiivka. There was no response from Ukraine on this. Soviet geologists who discovered lithium deposits in that region state that the deposit has huge significance.
On 26 June, Ahram reported that, according to the international chemical weapons watchdog, banned tear gas of seven types was found and submitted by Ukraine, and accused Russia of causing riots on the front lines. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that CS gas was used during the fight in Ukraine. The OPCW is based in The Hague, Netherlands, where the samples containing two grenade shells, two soil samples and two vegetation samples were sent. The watchdog also took in testimonies, documents and digital files for the same. A report from the OPCW does not blame either of the countries for the use of banned substances in war zones. The previous reports confirmed the use of illegal substances in the war, especially in February 2025 and November 2024.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 26 June, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the Ukrainian forces are intentionally committing attacks against civilians by using drones, killing the elderly, and damaging residential homes in Donbass. In a press conference, Zakharova said that the crimes against the Kyiv regime in Donetsk were liberated by Russian troops in February. A report was created from over 30 people, looking at the “genocide policies” executed by the Ukrainians while they controlled the city. An event was organised by the Public Tribunal on the Crime of the Ukrainian Neo-Nazis, included representatives of civil society from 35 countries. Zakhrova noted that the testimonies from all the countries were horrific episodes and confirmed the terror against the civilian population.
On 26 June, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that Moscow and Kyiv had executed another exchange of prisoners of war (PoW), and confirmed the return of Russian servicemen, as discussed in the peace talks in Istanbul. The ministry shared videos on Telegram of soldiers in a bus having the Russian flag wrapped around them. Ukrainian PoWs were sent back in exchange. Neither countries have revealed the numbers exchanged.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from Europe and the US
On 27 June, the EU summit concluded approval from the member states extending their sanctions imposed on Russia until the end of 2025 to early 2026. The decision was approved in the EU meeting in Brussels, where, along with the sweeping sanctions, EUR 200 billion of the Russian central bank's assets will be frozen till early 2026. This comes after the contingency plans were made to “punish” Moscow’s economy, despite refusals from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The EU feared that the refusals from Hungary could destroy the leverage the EU has over Moscow. However, Orban has approved of the renewal of sanctions to be imposed every six months.
References
“Ukraine deliberately exterminates civilians in Donbass – Moscow,” RT, 26 June 2025
“Russian soldiers returned from Ukrainian captivity – MOD (VIDEO)” RT, 26 June 2025
“Russia, Ukraine confirm new prisoner swap after talks in Istanbul,” Euronews, 27 June 2025
“Ukrainian forces halt Russian advance in Sumy region, says army chief,” BBC, 26 June 2025
“Russia captures village in eastern Ukraine near lithium deposit, Russian-backed official says,” Reuters, 26 June 2025
“Chemical weapons watchdog again finds banned tear gas in Ukraine samples,” Ahram, 26 June 2025
“EU leaders agree to prolong sanctions on Russia for another 6 months,” South China Morning Post, 27 June 2025