Jun 26, 2026, 03:00 PM UTC

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Ukraine returns 160 soldiers, reports new Russian attacks and losses

Ukraine announced the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, including 115 Mariupol defenders. Separately, Russia launched 7 missiles and 189 drones, with 177 intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.

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, which marks the 76th such operation.

Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles overnight into June 26, targeting the Kyiv and Poltava regions from Bryansk and Kursk. 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, including 1,310 in the last day.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

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EU integration efforts for Ukraine continue amid Hungarian obstruction and new benefit proposals

Ukraine's EU integration faces continued obstruction from Hungary, even as the European Commission proposes pre-accession benefits for candidate countries. Global oil markets see shifts with China's import decline and Saudi Arabia resuming loadings. Vodafone Ukraine secures €30 m

Ukraine's European integration continues to face challenges, with Hungary reportedly impeding the simultaneous opening of new EU negotiation clusters. In response, the European Commission is developing a system to offer candidate countries some membership benefits prior to official accession. Meanwhile, global oil markets saw China's crude oil imports decline to a ten-year low in June, indicating weak demand, while Saudi Arabia resumed loadings in the Persian Gulf after a four-month pause. Separately, Vodafone Ukraine secured €30 million in export credit financing to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

Ruslan Shostak secures European co-investor for Kyiv region logistics hub

Ukrainian retail co-owner Ruslan Shostak has partnered with European developer White Star Real Estate for an $80 million logistics hub in the Kyiv region, a 90,000 sq. m. Class A facility.

Ruslan Shostak, co-owner of Ukrainian retailers Eva and Varus, has secured a European partner for his logistics hub project in the Kyiv region. White Star Real Estate, a European developer, will co-invest in the WinHub logistics park, a Class A facility spanning 90,000 square meters. The total investment for the project is estimated to be approximately $80 million. This collaboration marks a significant foreign investment in Ukraine's logistics infrastructure, aiming to enhance large-scale logistics and potentially drone delivery capabilities in the region. The partnership highlights ongoing efforts to rebuild and expand commercial infrastructure amidst current challenges. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV to celebrate mass on Place de la Concorde during September state visit to France

Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to 28, celebrating a mass on September 26 at the Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées, as confirmed by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undertake a state visit to France from September 25 to 28. During his four-day trip, the pontiff will celebrate a significant mass on September 26. The event is planned for the iconic Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris confirmed these details to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday, June 26. The visit marks a notable occasion for the Catholic community in France.

Sources: Le Monde