Jun 26, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

Ukraine has secured the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. 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 confirmed the exchange. Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles overnight into June 26, targeting the Kyiv and Poltava regions. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 177 targets, though four missiles and eleven drones impacted locations. 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

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka has arrived in Russia for a working visit, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin today. This visit takes place amid ongoing reports concerning Moscow's alleged pressure on Minsk. A Telegram channel affiliated with Lukashenka's administration, "Пул первого," indicates that the discussions are anticipated to cover crucial matters on the agenda for Belarusian-Russian cooperation, alongside the broader regional and international situation. Russian media have also widely reported on the forthcoming meeting between the two leaders. Sources: Радіо Свобода

German automotive giant Volkswagen (VW) is reportedly considering a global workforce reduction of 100,000 jobs, according to a report by Manager Magazin, cited by Le Monde. This figure represents double the number of cuts previously indicated. The potential restructuring could also lead to the closure of four of the group's factories within Germany in the medium term. The report suggests the company is facing a more significant crisis than initially perceived, prompting these substantial potential measures to address its future challenges. These proposed cuts would impact a significant portion of VW's global operations.

Sources: Le Monde — International

IDS Ukraine, a prominent producer of bottled water and beverages, reportedly faced significant challenges following the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The company encountered unprecedented uncertainty, including a reduced consumer market, population migration, and disruptions to production and logistics. Despite these obstacles, the Ukrainian management team maintained operational stability and ensured growth in key performance indicators. The period necessitated a comprehensive restructuring of business processes to adapt to the new wartime environment, allowing the company to survive, sustain operations, and expand. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

The Council of Europe has determined that Sweden violated several provisions of the European Social Charter by denying necessary healthcare to Roma migrants. In a decision issued on Friday, June 26, the Council also criticized the differential treatment of Roma migrants compared to other undocumented individuals. The ruling follows a complaint filed in 2023 by non-governmental organizations Amnesty International and Médecins du Monde, which cited 129 cases where Roma individuals were reportedly refused essential medical care. The Council's assessment highlights concerns regarding equitable access to health services for vulnerable populations within Sweden.

Sources: Le Monde