Jun 12, 2026, 05:00 PM UTC

European Union intelligence agencies have reportedly confirmed that China provided training to Russian military personnel on its territory, with some later deploying to Ukraine. Beijing has consistently denied these allegations. Concurrently, Ukraine intends to request an additional $20 billion in military assistance from its partners at the upcoming Ramstein meeting. Meanwhile, the United States is reportedly planning a substantial reduction in its military assets in Europe, including a third of its fighter jets and warships. European officials acknowledge that this potential decrease in US presence could have implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Ukrainian forces are engaged in urban combat within Kostiantynivka, with assault units conducting clearing operations against enemy infiltrators. A battalion commander indicated the city is "semi-encircled" due to Russian advances near Chasiv Yar and Berestky. Military analysts and personnel suggest the city's situation has sharply escalated, with Russian forces now close to and operating within its districts, potentially leading to its loss in the coming months.

Separately, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) experienced its 19th complete loss of external power on June 10, around 9 PM, following an attack on an electrical substation, necessitating reliance on backup diesel generators, as confirmed by the IAEA. Concurrently, Ukrainian Defense Forces reported striking oil refineries in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, and a chemical plant in Samara Oblast on June 12. Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently announced that Russia would intensify its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 102 of 117 Russian attack drones launched from multiple directions overnight into June 12, according to the Air Force. The drones, identified as Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other types, resulted in 14 impacts across seven locations and debris falls in eight others. Separately, the Zaporizhzhia region experienced 949 strikes on 44 settlements, causing two fatalities and three injuries in the Zaporizhzhia and Polohy districts, alongside eighteen airstrikes. In Mykolaiv, residential buildings sustained damage and two individuals were injured, while railway infrastructure was targeted in the Sumy region. Ukraine's General Staff additionally claimed Russia lost approximately 1,300 military personnel in a single day.

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Українська правда, Громадське

US President Donald Trump announced plans for a "very strong strike" against Iran for "tonight," threatening to "bomb the shit out of Iran" if a proposed agreement was not reached. He also spoke of seizing Kharg Island and other Iranian oil infrastructure. These statements followed two consecutive nights of US military actions, including dozens of Tomahawk missiles, against Iranian sites, and Iran's retaliatory strikes on American bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump characterized an April ceasefire as "the most violated in history." Amidst the heightened tensions, Tehran reportedly declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, hours after his public pronouncements, President Trump ultimately canceled the planned military operations.

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Українська правда, Громадське, Forbes Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has claimed an initial agreement to end the conflict with Iran is nearing, following his decision to cancel planned military strikes. However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, countered these claims, describing reports of a deal as "speculative" and asserting that "nothing has been finalised." Trump subsequently accused Iran of leaking agreement details that "bear no relation to the truth," calling them "very dishonorable people." This comes as satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify indicate that over 50 Iranian military bases, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps headquarters, have sustained damage from US-Israeli attacks since the war's commencement. Analysts are examining Trump's shifting approach, questioning whether his actions represent a deliberate strategy or a change of mind. Sources: BBC News — World