Jun 12, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

The European Union is set to open the "Foundations" cluster for Ukraine and Moldova's accession negotiations on June 15, marking the official start of intergovernmental conferences. This announcement comes as the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that May 2026 saw the highest civilian casualty figures in four years, with 274 fatalities and 1,763 injuries. Separately, EU intelligence services have corroborated earlier information indicating that China provided training to Russian military personnel on its soil, some of whom subsequently deployed to Ukraine. China has consistently denied these claims.

Sources: Українська правда, Радіо Свобода, Громадське

US President Donald Trump initially announced intentions for a "very strong strike" against Iran, threatening to "bomb the shit out of Iran" and seize Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure. He described an April ceasefire as "the most violated in history" amidst ongoing exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces. However, hours after these pronouncements, President Trump ultimately canceled the planned military operations. Separately, CNN reports that the US and Iran may sign a "framework" ceasefire agreement this Sunday in Geneva, with further negotiations expected to follow.

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

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 102 of 117 Russian attack drones, including Shahed and Gerbera types, launched from multiple directions overnight into June 12. Air Force officials reported 14 impacts across seven locations and debris falls in eight others. Separately, the Zaporizhzhia region experienced 949 strikes on 44 settlements, resulting in 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

The United States continues its military strikes against Iran, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards claiming retaliatory attacks on American military sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Amidst these actions, former US President Donald Trump has denied the terms of an agreement with Tehran as reported by Iranian media, despite earlier reports suggesting he had cancelled planned strikes and even discussed signing an accord. Iran, however, has stated no definitive decision has been reached on such an agreement. Egypt has urged both Washington and Tehran to pursue a diplomatic resolution. The US Vice President also acknowledged "divergences" with Israel regarding the conflict, while the US has warned of further "hard" strikes against Iran, with Trump threatening to take "total control of their oil and gas markets." Sources: Le Monde