Ukrainian forces continue to increase the effectiveness of their use of unmanned systems, which have already become the main tool for striking russian troops on the battlefield. At the same time, Kyiv is intensifying diplomatic efforts through the UN, the European Union, and international partners, seeking to increase pressure on moscow. Meanwhile, international financial institutions are preparing new investments in Ukraine’s economy and energy sector, intended to support the country’s recovery during the war.
Fedorov: “Since the Beginning of the Year, Drones Have Accounted for More Than 800,000 Strikes on russian Army Targets”
Units of the unmanned systems forces of Ukraine’s Defense Forces have struck more than 800,000 verified targets of the russian army since the beginning of the year. This was announced by Minister of Digital Transformation and Defense Mykhailo Fedorov. According to him, drones now account for more than 90% of all strikes on the enemy on the battlefield. Among the destroyed or damaged targets are personnel, air defense systems, artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, drones, vehicles, warehouses, headquarters, and electronic warfare systems.
Fedorov also reported that since the beginning of the year, about 167,000 russian servicemen have been killed or seriously wounded. May was the most effective month, when Ukrainian units struck more than 181,000 targets and inflicted losses of more than 31,000 russian servicemen. The minister emphasized that the “eBaly” system makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of units and quickly scale the most successful technological solutions across the entire military. According to him, the Defense Forces continue to exhaust the enemy simultaneously in the air, on the ground, and in the economic sphere.
U.S. Representative at the UN Calls on russia to Agree to a Ceasefire
U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Dan Negrea saidduring a meeting of the UN Security Council that russia must agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible and return to negotiations. According to him, moscow is losing about 40,000 troops killed and wounded every month, while the russian economy is increasingly feeling the consequences of the war. The American diplomat emphasized that diplomacy remains the only path to ending the conflict. He also recalled the position of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously stated the need to reach a peace agreement.
During the meeting, representatives of a number of Western states criticized russia’s actions and its refusal to accept a ceasefire. French Representative Jérôme Bonnafont said that the kremlin continues to ignore international calls for peace and avoids meaningful negotiations. British Representative James Kariuki accused moscow of spreading old conspiracy narratives instead of seeking ways to end the war. Participants in the meeting paid particular attention to the russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which became the subject of sharp criticism from the international community.
Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Determine the EU Representative in Negotiations with russia
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was announcedthat Ukraine itself will make the final decision on the candidate for the European Union’s representative in possible negotiations with russia. According to him, European partners will propose several options, after which Kyiv will determine the most acceptable format of representation. The head of state noted that this issue was discussed during a meeting of the European Council. A significant part of the discussion was devoted to Europe’s role in the future negotiation process and the search for ways to end the war.
Zelensky also said that the Ukrainian issue was one of the main topics of the latest EU summit. According to him, participants in the meeting discussed the consequences of a possible absence of negotiations with vladimir putin in the near future. Separately, the President spoke about Ukraine’s European integration prospects. He noted that as early as July, five more negotiation clusters on accession to the European Union could be opened, provided the process is not blocked for political reasons.
Ukraine Allows for Revision of Its Ceasefire Proposal
Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Andrii Melnyk saidthat Kyiv may revise its current ceasefire proposal if the UN Security Council does not demonstrate readiness to support the relevant resolution. During a meeting of the Security Council, the diplomat emphasized that Ukraine remains open to direct negotiations with russia in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. At the same time, he noted that the patience of the Ukrainian side is not unlimited. According to him, a ceasefire along the actual front line is already a significant compromise on Kyiv’s part.
Melnyk also said that recent Ukrainian strikes have changed the dynamics of the war and caused significant losses to russia’s energy infrastructure. According to him, about 40% of russia’s oil refining capacity has been damaged. During the meeting, the diplomat, together with representatives of other states, condemned the russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The russian side once again denied responsibility for the attack, claiming that the damage was allegedly caused by a Patriot missile, while Ukraine and Western countries hold russia responsible for the strike.
EBRD to Sign New Investment Agreements in Ukraine Worth More Than €500 Million
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to sign new investment agreements for Ukraine this week worth more than €500 million. This was announced by the bank’s Vice President Matteo Patrone ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Gdańsk, Poland. A significant part of the funding will be directed toward the development of the energy sector, which has suffered serious losses as a result of russian missile and drone attacks. Among the projects are the construction of new wind farms and support for energy infrastructure.
Separately, the EBRD plans to sign agreements with seven Ukrainian banks totaling around €270 million. Together with the European Union and the World Bank, a mechanism is also being prepared to support producers of electricity from renewable sources. It is expected that this will help attract investment to create up to 1.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the EBRD has already invested more than €10 billion in the Ukrainian economy, of which around €3.5 billion has been directed specifically to the energy sector.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Author: Danylo Pievchev