Jun 26, 2026, 05:30 AM UTC

Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russia has lost over 1.398 million military personnel since its full-scale invasion, including 1,310 in the past day, alongside significant equipment losses. Russian forces continued attacks on June 26, striking energy and civilian infrastructure in Odesa region's Vylkivska community, resulting in a fire and injuries. In Donetsk, Operational Command "East" confirmed Russian attempts to infiltrate Kostiantynivka, though its commander denied the city was encircled, despite earlier reports of over 100 penetrations. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated plans for alliance members to boost arms production, with new contracts anticipated at the July 5-7 summit, adding, "We know what you are doing, and we are better at it." Separately, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly attacked a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

The European Council has extended economic sanctions against Russia until summer 2027. This decision follows Russia's claim of intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across over a dozen regions, including Moscow. Meanwhile, explosions were reported in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian air force indicating a missile was directed at the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv's intent to conduct "preemptive attacks" on Russian territory. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, asserted that Ukrainian strikes stem from deteriorating front-line conditions, claiming Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" outcomes for Kyiv. A first installment of a €90 billion European loan has also been disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for "mutual respect" and "understanding of history" between Poles and Ukrainians at a reconstruction conference in Gdansk.

Sources: Le Monde — International

Ukrainian IT product company Kiss My Apps, operating within the Fractal ecosystem, has achieved substantial growth over four years. The company's portfolio now includes 27 applications, which have collectively accumulated 130 million downloads and generated over $100 million in revenue by 2025. Co-founder and CEO Dmytro Lola indicated in an interview that the company's next strategic phase would likely involve the acquisition of other businesses. Lola also discussed how the broader industry landscape, including a legal case against Genesis, could influence subscription-based business models as Kiss My Apps prepares for continued expansion.

Sources: Forbes Ukraine

Chinese universities are significantly altering their academic programs in response to the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Institutions across the country are overhauling existing courses and introducing new ones to prepare students for an evolving job market. This shift comes as graduates, such as a finance student from Renmin University, express concerns about future employment prospects in sectors like online finance and e-commerce, which are increasingly impacted by AI technologies. The curriculum changes aim to equip students with skills relevant to the AI era, addressing anxieties about career opportunities in traditional fields.

Sources: Le Monde