[75379] Extensive air attacks in Ukraine, fury in Poland over UPA commemoration and deep strikes in Russia

Ukraine News Summary: Aerial Escalation, Diplomatic Crisis, and Deep Strikes in Russia

1. Wave of air strikes and unprecedented security threats

• Warning of a combined attack: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ministry of Defense are warning of an imminent massive Russian attack. According to intelligence estimates, Russia has completed field reconnaissance and may launch up to 400 drones to wear down defense systems, alongside dozens of ballistic missiles (including Iskander missiles) and cruise missiles toward the capital Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and other cities.


• Spillover of fighting into Romania (NATO territory): During a Russian attack on the Odesa region, a drone (likely of the Shahed type) hit a residential building in the city of Galati in Romania, near the border, causing a fire and two injuries. The incident is being investigated by the authorities in Romania.


• Ongoing missile and drone attacks: Over the past day, widespread alarms were activated across the country due to the infiltration of cruise missiles (such as the X-101 and X-59/69) and drones. Centers of tension included Kyiv, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Lviv. In Brovary, a "Gerbera" decoy drone hit a residential building, with no alarm and no casualties.

2. Operational achievements and Ukrainian deep strikes

• Damage to the oil industry and the Russian fleet: Ukrainian forces successfully attacked the Lukoil refinery in Volgograd (for the tenth time) and the oil pumping station in Yaroslavl. Furthermore, there was a report of a successful strike on the Russian frigate "Admiral Essen" in the port of Novorossiysk using attack drones.


• Blocking the land corridor to Crimea: The Ukrainian Military Intelligence (GUR) is working to disrupt Russian supply routes between the Crimean Peninsula and Donetsk, hitting logistics convoys using advanced drones.


• Frontline progress and prisoners: The Ukrainian army liberated about 46 square kilometers in the Oleksandrivka sector (Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro regions). In the Kharkiv region, Russian attempts to advance in Novovasilivka were repelled. In addition, the 63rd Brigade captured a Colombian citizen who was fighting in the ranks of the Russian army and claimed he had been deceived into joining as a car mechanic and sent to the front. Additionally, Russia attacked three foreign cargo ships (under the flags of Vanuatu, Panama, and Comoros) in the Black Sea along the Ukrainian grain corridor.

3. Diplomatic crisis with Poland and high alert on the Belarus border

• The UPA storm: A severe diplomatic crisis erupted between Kyiv and Warsaw following Zelensky's decision to name a special army unit "Heroes of the UPA" (the historical Ukrainian Insurgent Army). The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, threatens to strip Zelensky of the "Order of the White Eagle" award. Former President Lech Walesa removed his Ukrainian flag pin in protest, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on both sides to come to their senses so as not to serve Russia. Russian propagandists even called on state television to attack Poland with an "Oreshnik" missile.


• The northern border: The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine warns of increasing Russian pressure on Belarus to join the fighting directly, alongside fears of provocations and damage to supply routes in the west of the country.

4. Domestic policy, economy, and society in 2026

• Refugee return: The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is formulating a plan for the return of about 8 million citizens staying abroad, despite hesitation from European countries fearing the loss of high-quality labor.


• Reform in recruitment and economic procedures: The Minister of Economy announced that businesses are required to re-certify their status as "essential to the economy" by September 1, 2026, otherwise their employees will lose their draft exemption. At the same time, a structural reform in the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) is planned by the end of the year.


• European fuel standards: Starting July 1, 2026, gas stations in Ukraine will switch to European labeling and standards (E5, E10, B7) that incorporate bio-ethanol, which may cause difficulties for owners of older vehicles.


• Daily life in Kyiv and the west: "Kyiv Day" was marked in the capital with the distribution of special hiking route maps at the NOVUS chain and discount campaigns at food chains. At the same time, there is a mass migration of residents from Kyiv and Odesa to purchase real estate in Uzhhorod in the Zakarpattia region, which is considered a quiet and safe refuge from the bombings.