Jun 26, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian authorities announced the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity in a recent exchange. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that all freed soldiers had been held since 2022, with 115 defenders of Mariupol among them. The ages of those released ranged from 26 to 66. Russia's Ministry of Defense also reported the exchange. Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles from the Bryansk and Kursk regions, alongside 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles, targeting Ukraine overnight into June 26. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 177 targets, though four missiles and eleven drones impacted locations in the Kyiv and Poltava regions. Ukraine's General Staff updated figures for Russian military personnel losses to over 1.39 million since the full-scale invasion began. Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, has warned that secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz requires coordination with Tehran. He emphasized that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed" if arrangements are ambiguous, parallel routes are used, or decisions are made without considering Iran's status as a coastal state. This assertion comes amid ongoing tensions regarding control over the vital global shipping lane, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes. The statement reinforces Iran's position on its role in regulating maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.

Sources: Радіо Свобода

A Hungarian lawyer representing collectors from Ukraine's Oschadbank has reportedly called for the arrest of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other ex-officials. Attorney Loránt Horváth proposes that detention should occur simultaneously with the formal filing of suspicion against the individuals. The demand is connected to the "Ukrainian gold convoy" case, an ongoing matter that has drawn attention. This development was initially reported by Hungarian outlet 24.hu and subsequently cited by 444.hu. The specific details of the allegations against Orbán and the other former officials in relation to the convoy have not been extensively elaborated in the initial reports.

Sources: Громадське