Jun 12, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Military operations continued across Ukraine, with significant activity reported in multiple regions. On June 12, the Zaporizhzhia region experienced 949 strikes on 44 settlements, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries in the Zaporizhzhia and Polohy districts. Overnight into June 12, residential buildings in Mykolaiv were damaged, injuring two individuals. In the Sumy region, attacks persisted; a June 11 drone strike in Znoob-Novhorodske killed a 67-year-old woman and hospitalized two children. Earlier that day, an attack on Konotop's civilian infrastructure caused widespread disruptions to electricity, water, and gas supplies. Railway infrastructure in Sumy was also targeted overnight on June 12. Explosions were reported on June 7 at the Semikolodyazianska oil depot near Kerch and a location in Feodosia in occupied Crimea, with Russia's Ministry of Defense claiming drone interceptions.

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

The United States has maintained its military operations against Iran, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards have asserted they conducted retaliatory strikes on American military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Concurrently, the US Vice President acknowledged "divergences" with Israel regarding the ongoing conflict. Former US President Donald Trump reiterated his intent for the US to "strike Iran hard again," reportedly stating the US would "strike Iran very hard tonight" and "take total control of their oil and gas markets" following reports of a destroyed US helicopter. Amidst these developments, Egypt has called upon Washington and Tehran to leverage the "opportunity" for an agreement, following reports of Trump cancelling planned strikes on Iran. Iran has indicated no definitive decision has been reached regarding such an accord.

Sources: Le Monde

The European Central Bank (ECB) increased its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25% on June 11, marking its first hike since September 2023. This decision, the first among G7 central banks, responded to an energy shock exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. Concurrently, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers approved an updated plan for the Ukraine Facility, introducing 26 new steps aimed at European Union integration to secure an additional €8.35 billion in EU support. From July 1, the Ukrainian government will also provide preferential loans at 0.1% for small and medium-sized businesses to restore property damaged by shelling, with financing up to 150 million UAH. In other economic news, the United States has become the world's largest oil exporter, surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia. Separately, Elon Musk reportedly became the world's first dollar trillionaire following the initial public offering of his aerospace company, SpaceX, which raised a reported $75 billion.

Sources: Forbes Ukraine, Українська правда, Громадське

The United States recently conducted further airstrikes against Iran, targeting military surveillance, communication, and air defense sites. Following these actions, President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of planned strikes and subsequently claimed a "very good agreement" had been reached to end the conflict, suggesting a signing might occur in Europe soon. However, Tehran promptly denied any "definitive conclusion" to such an accord. This development continues a conflict now exceeding 100 days, marked by President Trump's often contradictory statements regarding an imminent resolution. Domestically, new inflation figures for May showed a 0.5% monthly and 4.2% annual rise, largely driven by energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict and the Strait of Hormuz's closure. European leaders are preparing to address the Middle East conflict and other global economic imbalances with President Trump at an upcoming G7 summit in Evian, France.

Sources: Le Monde

A Turkish opposition lawmaker, Gökhan Günaydin of the Republican People's Party (CHP), recently highlighted alleged cronyism within the national carrier, Turkish Airlines. During a session in the Turkish Assembly on March 12, Mr. Günaydin displayed a poster featuring the portraits of 15 individuals identified as board members of the airline. This action aimed to underscore concerns about the influence of what the opposition describes as 'crony capitalism' within key national institutions. The incident reportedly sparked significant debate among parliamentarians and the public regarding governance practices at state-affiliated enterprises.

Sources: Le Monde — International