Jun 25, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

On the evening of June 25, Kyiv experienced explosions, with Ukraine's Air Force reporting a ballistic missile threat and subsequent missile activity as air defense systems engaged. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces had targeted two oil refineries in Ufa, Bashkortostan, and an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region, describing these as "consistent precise responses." Separately, the death toll from Russia's June 23 missile strike on Kryvyi Rih rose to five after a 23-year-old man succumbed to severe injuries. Ukraine's Naval Forces also affirmed that the Kinburn Spit continues to be an "active combat zone," noting its strategic importance for Russian forces. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy approved a 40-day influence operation by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) aimed at encouraging Russia to end the conflict.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily halted its evacuation efforts for over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision followed an attack on a cargo ship transiting the vital waterway. IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez stated the pause was necessary to ensure "necessary safety guarantees" remained in place, despite some evacuations already having occurred. Concurrently, global oil prices have continued their decline, reaching levels last observed before the recent conflict involving Iran. Brent crude briefly fell below $72.48 a barrel, a price point from February 28, attributed to the ongoing, albeit now complicated, resumption of shipping traffic through the Strait.

Sources: BBC News

Over 50 women in France, who allege they have been victims of sexual assault or rape, are advocating for the removal of the statute of limitations for such crimes. They contend that the current legal framework prevents them from pursuing justice through criminal proceedings. The group includes individuals who have made allegations against prominent figures like Jeffrey Epstein and his former associate Jean-Luc Brunel, highlighting their belief that the existing time limits hinder their ability to seek legal recourse.

Sources: BBC News – World

Three judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have launched a legal challenge against the United States' sanctions targeting the court, its officials, and individuals cooperating with it. This action is characterized as a direct response to the American decree, which imposed restrictive measures. The judges' primary aim is to achieve the suspension of these US anti-ICC provisions. The complaint represents a significant move by the international judicial body against the unilateral actions of a major global power, seeking to protect the court's independence and operational capacity.

Sources: Le Monde