In mid-June, the Russian offensive in the Severodonetsk area continued. All major bridges over the Donets River connecting Severodonetsk to the territory under Ukrainian control were destroyed. At the same time, the Russians were fortifying their positions in the northwestern Kherson Oblast in anticipation of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

On June 19, military analysts reported Russian artillery and rocket fire, with the most intense actions taking place in the Bakhmut area. The Russians also continued preparations for an assault on Sloviansk.

At the European Council meeting on June 23, EU leaders granted Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country. Leaders reiterated their commitment to providing Ukraine with continuous EU support, including military, financial, humanitarian, and political support. Additionally, they stated that they would continue to work on sanctions. The EU leaders noted that Russia was using food as a weapon of war and was solely responsible for the worsening global food crisis. They called on Russia to immediately cease attacks on food production and storage facilities in Ukraine and to unblock the Black Sea to allow grain exports.

On June 26, Russia launched 14 missiles toward Kyiv, some of which were fired from over the Caspian Sea (X101 missiles fired from Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers). The attacks damaged residential buildings and a kindergarten, killing one person and injuring six. These attacks coincided with the G7 summit and were seen as a signal to the West in response to the ongoing summit and plans for further support for Ukraine.

On June 27, the European Council adopted a political statement on the protection of children displaced from Ukraine as a result of  Russia’s war of aggression against that country. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all children fleeing the war in Ukraine, particularly those separated from their families, against all threats related to illegal adoption, abduction, or exploitation. 

The Council called on member states to provide children  displaced from Ukrainian with free legal assistance and access to healthcare services; to inform unaccompanied and separated children of their rights; to take all possible measures to ensure high-quality reception of these children; to ensure their full inclusion in national child protection systems; and to support access to quality education and care.

On the same afternoon, Russia conducted a missile attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk in the Poltava Oblast. According to Ukrainian sources, there were about 1000 people in the building at the time of the attack. Twenty people were killed, and approximately 60 were injured. Russia claimed that the attack targeted weapon and ammunition depots from the USA and Europe.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, as of June 30, the number of Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russians was over 6,000.

Illustrative photo. Generated by AI