Jun 26, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

Ukraine successfully repatriated 160 military personnel from Russian captivity in the 76th prisoner exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. All individuals had been held since 2022, with 115 identified as defenders of Mariupol. Their ages ranged from 26 to 66. The Russian Ministry of Defense also acknowledged the exchange. While [Українська правда]'s headline stated the individuals were held for four years, its article body and other reports confirmed they were held since 2022.

Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles towards the Kyiv and Poltava regions overnight on June 26. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 177 targets, including three ballistic missiles and 174 drones, but four missiles and eleven drones struck various sites. Ukraine's General Staff updated its assessment of Russian military personnel losses to 1,398,370 since the full-scale invasion, with 1,310 reported in the preceding 24 hours.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of launching at least four drones at vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed one drone struck the upper deck of a cargo ship, causing damage, while three others were shot down. He characterized the event as a "senseless violation" of a ceasefire agreement. Iran has not yet commented on these specific allegations. This incident follows earlier statements from Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who warned that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed" without Tehran's coordination and recognition of its status as a coastal state.

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Громадське

The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily halted its evacuation efforts for over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision followed an attack on a cargo ship transiting the vital waterway. IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez stated the pause was necessary to ensure "necessary safety guarantees" remained in place, despite some evacuations already having occurred. US President Donald Trump subsequently accused Iran of a "foolish violation" of its truce with Washington in response to the cargo ship incident. Concurrently, global oil prices have continued their decline, reaching levels last observed before the recent conflict involving Iran, with Brent crude briefly falling below $72.48 a barrel.

Sources: BBC News

The provisional death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has dramatically risen to 920, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. Speaking on state television on Friday, June 26, Rodriguez also stated that over 50,000 individuals are now reported missing. This update follows earlier figures, including 235 deaths confirmed by Health Minister Carlos Alvarado on Thursday. The state of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas, continues to be the most severely affected area by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors. Search and rescue operations are ongoing amidst widespread destruction, particularly in La Guaira, where the Maiquetia - Simon Bolivar International Airport remains closed. International assistance, including aid from the United States, France, and the Pope, continues to mobilize.

Sources: Le Monde

Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a framework agreement in Washington on June 26, aiming to establish "durable peace and security." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a "first step." However, Israel continues military operations in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating Israel "will remain in the South Lebanon security zone as long as necessary." An Israeli government spokesperson, David Mencer, reiterated on June 25 that forces would only withdraw once the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is disarmed. This comes amidst ongoing US-Iran negotiations that reportedly include a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, suggesting a potential divergence in objectives between the US and Israel. Separately, France and Italy announced plans on June 25 to form a multinational coalition to bolster Lebanese sovereignty after the UNIFIL mandate concludes in December. Sources: Le Monde.