Jun 26, 2026, 09:00 PM UTC

Ukraine successfully repatriated 160 military personnel in the 76th prisoner exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. All individuals had been held since 2022, with 115 identified as defenders of Mariupol, aged between 26 and 66. The Russian Ministry of Defense also acknowledged the exchange. Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles towards the Kyiv and Poltava regions overnight on June 25-26. 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

The United States has conducted strikes against Iranian military facilities, according to the US Central Command. These actions followed accusations by US President Donald Trump that Iran launched at least four drones at vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump characterized the alleged drone attacks, which reportedly damaged one cargo ship and led to three drones being shot down, as a "senseless violation" of a ceasefire agreement. Iran has not commented on these specific allegations. Separately, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz requires coordination with Tehran, emphasizing its status as a coastal state.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода

Russian authorities reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across over a dozen regions, including Moscow. Simultaneously, explosions were reported in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian air force indicating a missile strike on the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Kyiv's intention to conduct "preemptive attacks" on Russian territory. The Kremlin linked Ukrainian strikes to worsening front-line conditions for Kyiv, claiming Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" consequences. Elsewhere, Russian attacks in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia oblast injured at least 16 people, hitting warehouses and an administrative building. Russian-occupied Crimea declared an "emergency situation" due to a fuel crisis, intensified by recent Ukrainian attacks. The European Council extended economic sanctions against Russia, and a €90 billion European loan's initial installment was disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for "mutual respect" between Poles and Ukrainians.

Sources: Le Monde — International