Russia-Ukraine war latest developments on day 1218

On Thursday, June 26, Russian authorities reported intercepting multiple Ukrainian drone attacks across various regions. According to Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, two drones were shot down near the capital, prompting temporary flight suspensions at Vnukovo International Airport. Airports along the Volga River also imposed restrictions for a time.

Further south, the governor of Voronezh region confirmed the destruction of more than 40 drones over the course of the day. In Bryansk, another border region, officials reported that seven drones were intercepted. A statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence indicated that a total of 18 drones were neutralized within three hours across central and southern territories.

Russia also announced that its forces had taken control of the Ukrainian settlement of Yalta, located in the eastern Donetsk region.

Political and Diplomatic Moves
NATO members have agreed to raise their annual defence budgets to 5 percent of their GDP by 2035, reaffirming their unity and collective defence commitment in response to Russia’s military aggression.

Former US President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to supply more Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency for Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring the conflict to an end. Trump added he would speak with Putin "soon" and noted concerns that Putin's ambitions might extend beyond Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that he discussed the potential for joint drone manufacturing with Trump during the NATO summit.

In Strasbourg, Zelenskyy signed an agreement with Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset to establish a special tribunal targeting top Russian officials for the crime of aggression. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for political and legal resolve to ensure that all Russian war criminals, including Putin, are held accountable.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announced that President Putin would not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil due to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that the European Union now poses a direct threat to Russian security and reiterated Moscow’s opposition to Ukraine’s integration into the bloc.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius underscored the critical role of the US in the Ukraine conflict and highlighted ongoing efforts to maintain American support.