In our weekly digest, you will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events and international support for Ukraine provided by our partners to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about the events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
15 thousand killed Russians and over 800 prisoners: 5 months of the Kursk operation
In the five months since the start of the Kursk operation, total Russian losses in the region have amounted to more than 38,000, including about 15,000 killed.
These figures were reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The operation forced the Russian occupiers to transfer significant resources to the Kursk region, weakening their positions on other fronts. The invaders have deployed some of the most capable airborne, marine and special forces units there.
Russia was also forced to urgently ask for help from North Korea, which sent almost 12,000 of its soldiers to Russia. About 4,000 of them have already been eliminated, and some units have lost their combat capability.
During the operation, Ukrainian forces captured 860 Russian soldiers, significantly replenishing the exchange fund. This made it possible to bring home hundreds of Ukrainian defenders who had been held in Russian prisons.
More than 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen were awarded state decorations for their heroism and successful actions during the Kursk operation.
List of terrorist organizations to be created in Ukraine
A list of terrorist organizations will be created in Ukraine – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Bill No. 12102.
This list will include organizations that conduct terrorist activities on the territory of Ukraine or abroad and threaten national security.
Organizations will be included in the list regardless of whether they have the status of a legal entity or are registered with the authorized bodies of Ukraine or foreign countries.
The list will be published on the SBU’s official website and on the Unified State Open Data Portal.
Germany to provide Ukraine with guided missiles for IRIS-T air defense system
Germany will soon provide Ukraine with additional guided missiles for the IRIS-T air defense system. This was announced by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense.
These missiles (their number is not disclosed) were originally intended for the Bundeswehr, but now they are being redirected from production directly to Ukraine.
Given Russia’s constant air strikes, including with cluster munitions, Pistorius said: “We will first replenish Ukraine’s stockpile before we replenish ours”.
Ukraine is ready to help Moldova overcome the energy crisis – Zelenskyy
Ukraine is ready to help Moldova overcome the energy crisis, in particular by supplying coal.
This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a conversation with Moldovan leader Maia Sandu.
The entire current energy situation in Moldova, and in particular on the left bank of the Dniester, is Russia’s attempt to manipulate energy resources against the authorities in Moldova, – Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to him, it is now important to maintain stability so that all people in Moldova can live in peace and work for their country, in order to overcome poverty and move into the European Union together with Ukraine.
Ukraine recognizes the genocide of the Circassian people by the Russian Empire
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a resolution recognizing the genocide of the Circassian people committed by the Russian Empire. This is evidenced by the card of Resolution No. 11347.
The explanatory note states that the Russian Empire carried out ethnic cleansing of Circassian territories during the Russian-Caucasian War of 1763-1864, which resulted in 90% of Circassians being either killed or expelled from their homeland. In place of the indigenous people, the Russian Empire settled other ethnic groups.
The authors of the resolution argue that the crime against Circassians has all the signs of genocide, as formulated in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
On June 6, 2024, representatives of the Circassian national movement officially appealed to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and asked to recognize the genocide of the Circassian people.
The purpose of the resolution is to support the peoples enslaved by Russia in their desire to honor their language, traditions and history, to defend their identity and right to free development.
Norway to provide over €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2025
In 2025, Norway will allocate the largest military aid in its history – more than €2 billion – to Ukraine. This was announced by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.
These agreements will bring cooperation between the two countries to a new level, Rustem Umerov emphasized.
According to him, they have already discussed the priority areas of spending.
The Ukrainian minister emphasized that they also paid attention to strengthening the air defense system, which is a critical area, and Ukraine counts on Norway’s support.
In addition, Norway will continue to invest in Ukraine’s defense industry and joint projects, including ammunition production.
Canada has trained more than 43,000 Ukrainian defenders as part of the UNIFIER mission
The year 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces’ military training program for the Ukrainian Security Forces. Over the course of this mission, the Canadian military has trained more than 43,000 Ukrainian servicemen and women.
This was reported by the Canadian Joint Operations Command.
Operation UNIFIER was launched in 2015 as part of international support for Ukraine amid Russia’s military aggression. The program covers a wide range of training, from basic military training to specialized training to improve the effectiveness of Ukrainian military units on the battlefield.
More than 43,000 members of Ukraine’s security forces have been trained as part of Operation UNIFIER since its launch in 2015, – the statement said.
The 25th Ramstein: Rustem Umerov summarizes the results
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that the 25th meeting of the contact group on Ukraine’s defense in the Ramstein format was another step in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The head of the Defense Ministry summarized the results and told what Kyiv received from the international coalition of partners.
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian defense ministry, according to Suspilne.
According to him, for almost three years of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the participants of the Ramstein, which is more than 50 countries, have declared more than $145 billion in security assistance.
Key achievements of the 25th meeting in the Ramstein format
Approval of the roadmaps for the development of the Ukrainian Defense Forces until 2027, developed within the framework of 8 Capability Coalitions:
- Aviation
- air defense; and
- maritime capabilities;
- artillery
- armored vehicles
- IT;
- drones;
- demining.
Umerov emphasized that Ukraine has moved to a “new level of cooperation” and explained that in addition to addressing the immediate needs of the war, work will also be done to build the long-term capabilities of the Armed Forces.
Results from partners
- The United States: a new aid package worth $500 million, which will include air defense missiles, air-to-air missiles, and equipment for F-16 aircraft.
- Canada: assistance worth 440 million Canadian dollars, including 100 million for the purchase of Ukrainian weapons under the “Danish model”, i.e. through direct financing of Ukrainian producers.
- The United Kingdom: together with NATO allies, it will provide Ukraine with 30,000 new drones worth £45 million. The project involves Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Sweden.
- Norway: 700 million Norwegian kroner to purchase drones as part of a multinational initiative.
- Germany: in 2025, it will transfer 6 IRIS-T air defense systems and in the near future will provide 50 interceptor missiles for these systems.
- Iceland: will finance the production of Ukrainian weapons under the “Danish model” in the amount of EUR 2 million.
Kateryna Yashchuk
