Jun 26, 2026, 10:00 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 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk concluded with the signing of 160 agreements valued at over 10 billion euros, as announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Key outcomes included an initial 3.2 billion euro tranche from a new EU financial instrument and 3.4 billion dollars. Svyrydenko, leading the Ukrainian delegation, publicly thanked Poland for its assistance following the Russian invasion and reportedly refrained from discussing sensitive historical issues. However, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski described a decision to revoke an order from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "inadequate" and humiliating. Meanwhile, UK Vice Prime Minister David Lammy affirmed that Britain's foreign policy, including support for Ukraine, would remain consistent even after a change in prime minister.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that US forces carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities on June 26. These actions were described as a decisive response to an attack on a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Targets reportedly included missile and drone storage facilities, alongside coastal radar stations.

This development follows US President Donald Trump's accusation that Iran launched at least four drones at vessels in the Strait, resulting in damage to one cargo ship and the downing of three drones. Trump labeled the incident a "senseless violation" of a ceasefire agreement. Iran has not yet issued a statement regarding these specific allegations. Concurrently, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz necessitates coordination with Tehran.

Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода