Jun 8, 2026, 01:00 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United Kingdom for bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a meeting in the "E3 plus Ukraine" format, which includes French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This diplomatic trip follows earlier reports that President Zelenskyy had invited Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Kyiv last month to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin about a potential personal meeting. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha asserted that Putin "wasted an opportunity to exit a failing war" by declining Zelenskyy's proposal for direct peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the European Commission is set to present its 21st package of sanctions against Russia this week, reportedly targeting financial institutions in third countries, particularly in Central Asia, that aid in circumventing existing restrictions.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Суспільне Новини, Українська правда

On the night of June 8, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 155 drones, including Shahed and imitator types, launched from multiple directions. Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting or suppressing 124 of these drones across northern, southern, and eastern regions, with 20 recorded hits. Separately, a drone attack on the same night caused a fire at the "Grushova" industrial site, part of the "Sheskharis" oil terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia, a site previously targeted. Meanwhile, on June 7, Ukrainian forces destroyed a temporary Russian deployment point in Shchastia, Luhansk, 100 kilometers from the front line, identifying the target as Russia's 5th Cossack reconnaissance and assault brigade "Terek." Ukrainian Defense Forces also struck several Russian military facilities and personnel concentrations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on June 7-8.

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Українська правда, Суспільне Новини, Громадське

Russian forces conducted an aerial strike on Sloviansk in the Donetsk region on June 8, deploying three aerial bombs. The attack resulted in at least seven injuries, including a 17-year-old, and caused damage to an administrative building, a medical facility, and multiple residential structures. Concurrently, in the Lyman sector, Russian troops continue daily small group assaults, utilizing infiltration tactics and a high volume of drones, including "Zala" reconnaissance and "Molniya" attack drones, as observed near Dobropillia. These efforts aim to exhaust Ukrainian defenses and concentrate on Drobysheve to reach Sviatohirsk, thereby severing logistical routes to Sloviansk.

Sources: Suspilne Novyny, Українська правда

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed several key positions following recent engagements. After a meeting in London with leaders from the UK, France, and Germany, a joint statement was issued. This statement condemned the "Oreshnik" system's use against Ukraine and presented five conditions for a just and lasting peace, highlighting Europe's role in conflict resolution. Separately, President Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's intent to continue striking targets within Russian territory, characterizing these actions as a necessary response. He also expressed readiness to freeze the current front line to enable diplomatic negotiations. Additionally, Zelenskyy publicly acknowledged a meeting in Kyiv with Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, during which he conveyed a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Abramovich offering mediation.

Sources: Суспільне Новини, Радіо Свобода, Громадське, Українська правда

Russian attacks across Ukraine have continued, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. On June 8, a drone strike in Konotop, Sumy region, hit a residential building, killing a 78-year-old woman and injuring three others. In Odesa, two individuals sustained injuries while awaiting public transport. Throughout the week of June 8-14, the Sumy region experienced remote road mining, strikes on civilian vehicles and buses, and disruptions to electricity and water supplies. Earlier, on June 7, Russian forces reportedly struck a fire truck and shelled a fire station in Sumy region's Hlukhiv community. The same day, explosions were reported in Russian-occupied Crimea, with suspected fires at oil depots near Kerch and Feodosia, while Russia's Ministry of Defense stated it intercepted drones over the peninsula.

Sources: Suspilne Novyny, Radio Svoboda