Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 20 June, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is “not seeking the capitulation of Ukraine” but wants Kyiv to accept the territorial “realities on the ground” created by more than three years of war. Putin repeated his long-held view that “Russians and Ukrainians are one people,” adding that “in that sense, the whole of Ukraine is ours.” He invoked what he called an old Russian rule: “Wherever a Russian soldier steps, that is ours.” Addressing Russia’s current northern offensive, the president said Moscow has no immediate task to seize the regional capital of Sumy but “does not rule it out,” noting that Russian forces are establishing a 10- to 12-kilometre-deep buffer zone inside Sumy region. Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha denounced the statements as proof of Moscow’s “complete disdain” for international peace efforts, saying Russian troops bring only “death, destruction and devastation” wherever they advance. Kyiv and its Western allies reject any recognition of Russia’s claim over the roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies. Putin insisted Moscow has never questioned Ukraine’s independence but recalled that the country declared itself neutral on leaving the Soviet Union in 1991—an apparent signal that abandoning NATO ambitions remains a Russian precondition for negotiations.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration that “the whole of Ukraine is ours,” saying the remarks display “complete disdain” for U.S.–backed efforts to end the war. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin asserted that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people” and suggested Russian forces could seize the northeastern city of Sumy. Sybiha responded that the Kremlin leader’s “cynical statements” run counter to Washington’s push for a negotiated settlement and demonstrate Moscow’s intent to capture additional territory rather than pursue peace. Kyiv and its Western partners have repeatedly rejected Russia’s claim to occupied regions, insisting on the restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a June 20 interview with Sky News that Russia will not accept the 30-day ceasefire sought by Kyiv, declaring that Russian forces hold a “strategic advantage” and are “advancing deeper into Ukraine.” Peskov asserted that Moscow would consider pausing hostilities only if the United States, United Kingdom and France halted weapons supplies to Ukraine—a condition Western governments have rejected. He added that Russia has no intention of relinquishing the initiative and “will continue to advance.” The remarks reinforce Moscow’s hard-line stance as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy presses for a humanitarian pause to repair critical infrastructure. Western officials warn that any ceasefire lacking security guarantees could simply give Russia time to regroup.

Russia is significantly increasing its production and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Ukrainian experts report that Russian production of Geranium UAVs has increased sixfold over the past year, with monthly usage rising from approximately 500 to over 5,000 long-range drones. Additionally, Russia plans to escalate its nightly drone swarm attacks on Ukrainian cities by launching up to 800 Shahed kamikaze drones, up from the current 300-400. This surge is supported by the construction of a new factory to further boost Shahed drone production by two to three times. Ukrainian officials also warn that these intensified drone attacks will be accompanied by a dual disinformation campaign orchestrated by Russia. The drones are actively used on frontline positions in regions including the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Dnepropetrovsk. Communications and aviation experts highlight the scale of this escalation as unprecedented in the conflict.

A wave of Russian Shahed-type drones struck the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight on 20 June, killing one civilian and injuring at least 14 others, among them three emergency workers, according to local prosecutors and the State Emergency Service. Officials said drones hit roughly 10 locations across the city. Fires engulfed a four-storey apartment block that later collapsed and spread to the upper floors of a 23-storey high-rise, forcing the evacuation of about 600 residents. The attack also damaged a higher-education institution, a gas pipeline, private vehicles and the city’s main railway station, but rail services continued to operate. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 86 drones nationwide during the night. Air-defence units destroyed 34 and disrupted 36 more, yet strikes were recorded in eight locations. In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, separate drone attacks wounded four people, including two girls aged 12 and 17. Odesa, a key conduit for Ukraine’s exports, has faced near-daily missile and drone barrages since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Prosecutors have opened a war-crimes investigation into the latest assault, which Kyiv says underscores the need for tighter international pressure on Moscow.

Ukrainian forces, in collaboration with NATO and France's DGA, have been testing and preparing new countermeasures against Russian long-range glide bombs, known as KABs, with deployment expected by the end of 2025. These glide bombs are currently difficult to intercept, but the new technologies aim to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Additionally, Ukraine has launched domestic production of tactical radar systems designed to detect Russian UAVs, which support drone-interceptor units. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine is developing interceptor drones to counter Russian drone attacks, with domestic production already showing results. Ukrainian troops have actively engaged Russian FPV drones, using assault rifles to destroy them and, for the first time, have captured a Russian infantryman using an FPV drone. Ukrainian ground-based suicide drones have destroyed Russian military bases and infantry positions in the Donetsk region, while heavy drones like the "Baba Yaga" type have taken out Russian artillery such as the 122-mm D-30 towed howitzer. Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jets, equipped with U.S.-supplied GBU-39 precision-guided bombs, have successfully destroyed Russian UAV operator bases and ammunition depots in the Kursk region. Ukrainian UAV units have also conducted successful operations behind Russian lines, destroying enemy posts, radar systems, and equipment. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces are deploying large numbers of FPV drones daily, with fiber optic cables from these wire-guided drones creating significant battlefield activity. Ukraine continues to enhance its drone warfare and air defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict.

Interior ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Poland issued a joint statement in Tallinn on 19 June calling for a Schengen-area ban on Russian citizens who fought in the war against Ukraine. The proposal would deny visas and residence permits to members of Russia’s armed forces and other armed groups involved in the invasion, preventing them from travelling freely within the European Union. Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said “hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens” had participated in the aggression and represented “a very serious security threat” to Europe. The ministers stressed the restriction should remain in place even after active hostilities end. The meeting was attended by EU Home-Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner and a representative of the EU border agency Frontex, signalling Brussels’ interest in the initiative. The seven countries—several of which share land borders with Russia—have tightened travel and trade controls since Moscow’s 2022 invasion and are now pressing other EU members to adopt the new entry ban.

Ukraine has initiated preparations for a tender to develop the Dobra lithium deposit in the Kirovohrad region, marking the first step toward implementing a resource development deal with the United States. The Ukrainian government has approved drafting recommendations to open bidding for private investors to mine this major state-owned lithium field, one of Europe's largest. Among the potential bidders is TechMet, a partly U.S.-owned company, and Ronald Lauder, an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This move is part of Kyiv's efforts to demonstrate tangible progress from the landmark US-Ukraine minerals agreement amid stalled ceasefire talks. Ukrainian officials recently discussed the project following talks in Washington and meetings at the G7. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s largest private oil and gas company is preparing to meet bond investors in London as it faces over $70 million in debt payments this year. Separately, concerns have been raised about mineral resource management in Kenya, where regions like Kwale and West Pokot are rich in minerals such as niobium and gold but face challenges including banditry and potential exploitation by foreign and local elites. Calls have been made for a comprehensive mineral register to improve transparency and governance in Kenya’s mining sector.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 19 June that he wants the war with Russia to be settled before the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s current term, which runs until 20 January 2029. In an evening video address, Zelensky added that he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and is “really counting” on Trump’s assistance in brokering an agreement. Responding to recent Kremlin claims about his legitimacy, Zelensky noted that Putin "has already served three terms more." The remark came as Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova indicated that a Russian delegation could travel to Istanbul for the next round of peace talks after 22 June, with exact dates still under discussion. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow prefers to reach its objectives through negotiations.

On June 19, 2025, Russian Armed Forces conducted multiple strikes across several regions in Ukraine, including Sumy, Kharkov, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Odessa. The attacks involved the use of guided bombs and Shahed/Geran-type long-range kamikaze drones targeting military facilities and urban areas. In Odessa, at least four drone strikes caused multiple explosions, igniting fires at a dolphinarium and residential buildings. The mayor of Kharkiv reported at least 10 explosions with a fire breaking out in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Videos and reports confirmed impacts on multi-storey residential buildings in Odessa. Information about casualties has not been disclosed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Brigadier General Hennadiy Shapovalov as commander of the country’s Ground Forces, according to a decree published on 19 June. Shapovalov succeeds Lieutenant General Mykhailo Drapatiy, who resigned earlier this month after a Russian missile hit a training range in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Shapovalov, 46, has held a series of senior posts since Russia’s full-scale invasion, including command of the operational-strategic group “Tavria” and Operational Command “South.” Earlier this year he was assigned to Wiesbaden as Ukraine’s representative at NATO’s new Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission. Zelensky said the appointment is aimed at bringing both battlefield and international coordination experience to the army’s largest service. The leadership change comes as Kyiv seeks to revamp its military command structure while pressing allies for more weapons and training. Drapatiy has been reassigned to lead Ukraine’s Joint Forces.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the Ukrainian government of orchestrating a campaign to discredit Russia, citing Kiev's hostile reactions to Russia's compliance with the Istanbul agreements. Zakharova condemned attacks by Ukrainian nationalist groups, which she said targeted civilians and infrastructure during Russia Day celebrations, resulting in 104 casualties over the past week, including 8 deaths, one of whom was a minor. She also alleged that Ukrainian intelligence agencies are involved in preparing terrorist elements in the Sahel-Saharan region, extending their activities beyond Ukraine's borders. Zakharova criticized the Ukrainian regime's policies against the Russian-speaking population, describing them as Nazi-style and noting a ban on all things Russian in Ukraine. Additionally, she accused Norway's academic community of adopting Russophobic stances and condemned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for statements that escalate the conflict in Ukraine. The UK was also accused of fostering anti-Russian hysteria to create a negative image of Russia for its own interests. Furthermore, Zakharova claimed Ukraine, facing defeat in its conflict with Russia, is attempting to stimulate terrorist activity in African countries friendly to Russia to open a second front. Independent reports confirmed ongoing civilian casualties from strikes in Ukraine, with at least 14 civilians killed and 47 injured in a 24-hour period ending June 18.