Jun 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Ukraine successfully repatriated 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, marking the 76th prisoner exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. All individuals had been held since 2022, with 115 identified as defenders of Mariupol. The ages of those released spanned from 26 to 66. The Russian Ministry of Defense also acknowledged the exchange.

Concurrently, Russian forces conducted an overnight assault on June 26, deploying seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles towards the Kyiv and Poltava regions. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted a majority of the incoming threats, though four missiles and eleven drones struck various sites. Meanwhile, Ukraine's General Staff updated its assessment of Russian military personnel losses, now exceeding 1.39 million since the full-scale invasion commenced, with 1,310 reported in the preceding 24 hours.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Former Belgorod Oblast head Vyacheslav Gladkov has been appointed as Russia's ambassador to Abkhazia, following a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The appointment was published on the portal of legal acts. Russia recognizes Abkhazia's independence, while the majority of the international community considers it a separatist region of Georgia. Gladkov led the Belgorod region at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The move places a former regional leader, who oversaw a border area frequently impacted by conflict, into a diplomatic role in a territory with contested international status.

Sources: Радіо Свобода

French aeronautics and defense group Safran announced on Friday, June 26, its intention to acquire Exail, a French manufacturer specializing in underwater drones. This proposed acquisition is seen as a significant development in the consolidation of France's military industrial capabilities. It aligns with the strategic objectives outlined by the French government and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), which aim to strengthen the domestic defense sector. The move underscores a broader trend towards integrating key players to enhance national security and technological autonomy in defense manufacturing.

Sources: Le Monde — International