Day 1221 War in Ukraine

Russia’s largest aerial attack on Ukraine yet. “Over 450 drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic aeroballistic missiles russia launched at Ukraine tonight.” Updated figure: 537.

F-16 crashes, unfortunately taking the pilot with it, but not before he discharged all his weapons. He also steered the falling plane away from a residential area.

Zelenskyy awards the pilot a Hero of Ukraine award

Georgians commemorate seven months of continuous protests.

“Elene Khoshtaria’s hunger strike is to set everyone’s focus straight among democratic forces”

“Trump: ‘Putin made some very good statements today. He respects our country again.’” keep in mind that Trump said this on the day that “Hours later, Putin unleashed his largest air attack on democratic Ukraine yet.” So no. Putin does NOT “respect” Trump or America. Putin spits upon both.

Hungary thanks Trump for allowing Russia to continue building a nuclear plant in Hungary. Construction was halted in 2014.

“The first confirmed debris of Russia’s Geran-3 jet-powered kamikaze drone has been found.”

Ukraine pulls out of a ban on anti-personnel mines.

Ukrainian heavy drones drop artillery shells on targets.

Four Su-34 fighter-bombers were damaged or destroyed earlier. In addition, a critical technical and maintenance facility was set ablaze.

Russian UAV command post destroyed.

Ukraine attacked an electrical substation on a military airfield.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/29/war-for-ukraine-day-1221-fas/

 

Day 1219 War in Ukraine

Whaah? But...but the minerals deal that Trump signed should have prevented this!

Kharkiv is, at this point in the full-scale war, without any intact windows. An estimated 220k windows have been shattered.

Odesa’s getting hit with an aerial assault.

Zelenskyy speaks to the Fair Play Conference.

Georgians count 65 political prisoners being held by the government.

A leader of the Coalition for Change, Elene Khoshtaria, is on a hunger strike.

Helen Khoshtaria has also begun a hunger strike.

Authorities arrest 8^th opposition leader in two weeks.

“Fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, has condemned the latest arrests of opposition figures”

Trucks sabotaged in Germany. Pieces in media suggest it was deliberate.

Ukrainian air strike on drone operations base.

Specular explosions as loaded Russian missile launcher hit.

Russian reconnaissance drones zapped by interceptor drones.

Russian Iskander ballistic missile strikes a school building.

Looking at how residents of Kyiv have lost sleep over the past few weeks.

The “human safaris” of Kherson have spread to other cities.

Videos of Ukrainian drones hitting Russian artillery pieces. One drone tries more than one route to hit target.

Ukraine sends long-range drones to airfield near Volgograd (roughly 700 km from front) where they damage two and destroy two Su-34 fighter-bombers. Russian bloggers very upset.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/27/war-for-ukraine-day-1219-the-city-without-windows/

 

Day 1218 War in Ukraine

 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tells Trump that Russia should be treated with just as much toughness as Iran was.

Russian drone swarm attacks almost all of Ukraine at 3:00am!

Zelenskyy addressed the European Council meeting today.

With six out of nine opposition leaders in jail, the Georgia Dream Party abolishes several privileges under Freedom of Expression.

The European Convention on Human Right is taking up he case of Mzia Amaglobeli.

Ukraine receives two minehunters for use in the Black Sea.

Arson/sabotage carried out in Germany.

North Korea will soon send more troops.

Lithuanian President Nausėda says “Russia is faking peace efforts.”

“EU Summit fails to adopt joint statement in support of Ukraine due to Hungary. “

More POWs exchanged.

Crimean Tatars celebrate in Kyiv.

Pokrovsk has seen much fighting lately. The smell of decomposing bodies is overwhelming.

Detailed description of a Russian drone killing a family member and how the member was buried.

Russians destroy a gas station. Ukraine destroys a gas station.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/26/war-for-ukraine-day-1218-another-night-of-russian-drone-swarms-in-the-small-hours/

Day 1215 War in Ukraine

Russia trying new, diabolical tactic to kill Ukrainian civilians.

US expended a significant proportion of its GBU-57A bombs, weakening our strategic reserves.

Patriot Air Defense system’s doing really well. Ukraine could really use a few more of them.

Ukraine manage to knock down 354 of 368 missiles and drones.

Zelenskyy visits the English Prime Minister and King Charles III.

“For 100 days straight, students in Tbilisi, Georgia have kept a 24/7 protest going in front of Parliament.”

The poet Zviad Ratiani has been arrested for “hitting a policeman.”

Georgian authorities want to make it impossible to cover court cases. They’re also imprisioning politicians.

Mzia Amaglobeli’s vision has deteriorated, but the authorities refuse to release her.

Hungary and Slovakia have blocked an aid package for Ukraine.

New Zealand provides aid package.

Shahed drones now equipped with viscious liquid that burns on contact with skin.

Russia returning bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, but they are not properly preserved.

“Two colonels from Ukraine’s State Guard Department (UDO), whose duty was to protect the country’s top officials, were working for Russia’s FSB and plotting to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky”

Russia’s using cluster munitions in Kyiv, a city of 4 million people.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/23/war-for-ukraine-day-1215-a-brief-monday-night-update/

 

Day 1213 War in Ukraine

 

Ukraine builds “homegrown” radar system designed to detect drones. Very small and potable.

Very little real information on the bombing of Iran is available now.

“What we do know is that this strike is not in response to an attack on the US. This is not self defense. It is unconstitutional and illegal, not that that is anything new over the past six months.”

Ukrainian soldier who went missing in 2023 is returned by Russians in a POW swap and dies shortly after that.

Very large percentage of drones defeated, missiles more successful at getting to Ukrainian targets.

Georgian activist arrested and not permitted to let anyone know for hours. Blogger gives extended description of her interactions with authority figures.

An activist in Belarus agrees with an activist in Georgia. Can’t tell when victory will come, but it will after struggle and will likely come suddenly.

Very cool! “Sergei Tikhanovsky, husband of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was freed after over five years in prison.“

German and Canada will fund production of anti-Shahed rones.

Ukraine will start outsourcing technology

“Ground kamikaze drone,” a small unmanned vehicle, drives into a Russian underground bunker and blows it up from within.

Drone takes out “a rare Russian 9S36M Viking radar.”

Russia bombs an apartment building.

Russian fuel train hit.

Apartment buildings hit in Kherson.

Russians using munitions disguised as balls that can be played with.

“Russia is currently producing up to 195 missiles per month and 170 drones per day.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/21/war-for-ukraine-day-1213-da-fuq-de-doin-ova-der/

Day 1212 War in Ukraine

Y’all think the war in Ukraine will not be followed by a “domino effect?” Remember, Alaska used to belong to Russia. You think they aren’t going to try and get it back?

Russia launching attacks n five points, the first two of which are Pokrovsk and Kursk.

In Georgia, “more frequent public use of the word ‘Revolution’ is observable.”

Defendant throws a cupful of water at a judge, an offense punishable by two years in prison.

EU is very concerned with Mzia Amaglobeli’s case.

“One might assume that the liberation of Georgia began on June 20, 2019, the ‘Gavrilov's Night.’" Lengthy narrative on Georgia’s struggles afterwards.

Senate delays Russia sanctions bill.

Germans are quite certain that the Vietnam “Domino theory” is absolutely applicable to Ukraine. When and if Ukraine falls, Europe in next!

Estonia is digging anti-tank ditches at its border with Russia.

Woo hoo! Another POW exchange!

Putin doesn’t want Ukraine to surrender, just to “accept reality.”

Putin: “We have this old rule: wherever a Russian soldier sets foot, it’s ours.”

Russians attack a beach club in Odesa.

Russian drone operator’s base hit with really big bomb.

“Ukrainian forces hit Tula's Shipunov Instrument Design Bureau twice in three days, halting operations.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/20/war-for-ukraine-day-1212-more-russian-missiles-in-the-small-hours/

 

Day 1210 War in Ukraine

 

A Ukrainian couple traveled to Israel to get their 7-year old daughter treated for a severe form of cancer. An Iranian ballistic missile found them there.

After Trump departed the G7 meeting, Zelenskyy took his place.

Members of the European Parliament expressed solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli. The Parliament spoke of her case as a Human Rights Emergency. She’s been imprisoned for 150 days now.

Ruling party in Georgia is now demanding sensitive personal information from opponents.

Russia is now building bases near the Finnish border.

Former Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is running to be a Representative of Michigan.

NATO is planning an abbreviated planning session, “short & sweet.” They’re trying to work around Trump so as to avoid any spectacles.

US Embassy to Ukraine puts out a meaningless “thoughts and prayers” type of message.

Video of Ukrainian drones attacking Russian drones.

Ukrainians critically damaged a rare and expensive Russian "Yastreb-AV" radar system ($250 million).

Six Russian UAVs clobber some Ukrainian market stals.

EU Diplomat assaulted in Russia.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/18/war-for-ukraine-day-1210-the-cost/

Day 1209 War in Ukraine

 

“A couple in Kyiv stands before the ruins of a building, clinging to each other, tears falling as their son remains beneath the rubble.“

The human cost of a building blasted and people trapped beneath rubble. Sometimes they’re rescued alive. Very frequently, they aren’t.

Various scenarios for victory in Georgia.

Ruling party wants to abolish National Security Council.

23 international Media and Rights groups urge end to crackdown on press freedom.

Press is in bad shape.

Canada promises $1.5 US billion worth of supplies.

Two oil tankers collide and burn n Strait of Hormuz. One goes between Russia and India.

US gives up on speeding up peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian rocket launcher loaded with chemical weapons blown u in Russian-held territory.

Latest attacks come after Trump advocates letting Russia back into the G7. Russia launches bigger and bigger drone strikes.

Russian drones are flying higher, meaning they’re more difficult for small arms to hit.

Russia uses cluster munitions in residential areas.

Russia loses 15 units of armored vehicles in assault.

Ukrainian pet food store attacked.

One of the largest Russian ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer plant has had production halted.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/17/war-for-ukraine-day-1209-the-cost/

Day 1208 War in Ukraine

He was in a Russian concentration camp for three years.

Military solutions, how effective are they? Well, they may take awhile, but yes, there usually IS a military solution!

Massive drone attacks all across Ukraine.

Heart-wrenching! A girl dances at her prom with her father’s military jacket.

Ukraine’s First Couple visits Austria.

Owing to the MEGOBARI Act, Georgians call upon the US to pass it!

Trump claims that there wouldn’t be war in Ukraine if only Russia had been kept in the G8. Erm, Russia was kicked out of the G8 precisely because it had invaded Ukraine!

European aid now surpasses US aid .

“EU member states have paid Russia more than €200 billion for fuel since the beginning of the full-scale war “

Russia steps up attacks on energy infrastructure.

Russia returns Russian bodies along with Ukrainian ones.

JDAM strike on Russian base.

Multiple Shahed drones hit Ukrainian high-rise.

An examination of what used to be a city of 70k people “until Russia came to ‘liberate’ it.”

Ukraine deploys attack gliders.

Kaliningrad is getting nuclear facilities.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/16/war-for-ukraine-day-1208-another-long-night-of-russian-drones-missiles/

 

Day 1027 War in Ukraine

Georgian protesters burn Russian flag.

Five Ukrainian citizens die in Iranian strike on Israel.

Huh! Funny, the Russians attacked a US factory in Ukraine. But...but I thought the whole idea behind the minerals deal was Russia wouldn’t strike at US industries in Ukraine!

Basically, Trump/Netanyahu can’t really damage Iran’s nuclear program, but striking Iran will strengthen the radical Iranian Paydari Front.

Zelenskyy arrives in Canada for G7 Summit.

Georgians observe their 200^th day of continuous protest.

A Human Rights lawyer asserts that the case against Mzia Amaglobeli is trumped up.

Another 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers have been returned.

“Since early June, russia has launched around 2,800 drones, nearly 3,000 guided bombs, and 140 missiles against Ukraine, President Zelenskyy said.”

Of the 11k North Korean soldiers sent to help Russia, over 6k never came back. That includes “killed, wounded, or gone missing.” They’re keeping action limited to near Kursk.

“Russia is turning a civilian airport in occupied Crimea into a military drone hub.”

Under constant bombardment, Kharkiv is slowly dying.

Factory for Shahed drones hit.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/15/war-for-ukraine-day-1027-another-early-morning-drone-swarm/

 

Day 1205 War in Ukraine

“MiG-29 air strike on Russian base. Zaporizhzhia front.”

The Israeli strike on Iran may end up benefiting Ukraine as Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed drones (Russia has its own Shahed factories at this point). It’s unclear what the effect might be, but it’s likely to end up helping Ukraine. It sldo msy make room for the Paydari Party, an extreme, no-compromise party.

Zelenskyy awards “Orders of the Golden Star to the families of fallen Heroes of Ukraine.”

Georgians call for victory to Ukraine & Georgia.

“Nika Gvaramia — Another opposition leader has been placed in pre-trial detention after refusing to pay bail in the case of refusing to appear before the Georgian Dream's investigation commission.”

18 opposition members have ben arrested for “insulting” Facebook posts.

Ukraine says no more negotiations with Russia until ceasefire takes place. Russian delegation is just demanding capitulation anyway.

Russian Su-25 jet shot down by another Su-25?

Ukrainian drone destroys pile of anti-tank mines.

HIMARS rockets hit a Russian convoy.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/13/war-for-ukraine-day-1205-indirect-effects/

 

Day 1201 War in Ukraine

Russian VNIIR plant produces a great deal of militarily-useful material and is about 1000km from the front. Video shows a drone diving into an already-burning building!

A new record! Russia launched 499 drones & missiles against Ukraine last night! In true heroism, Defense Forces intercepted 479 of them! While Russians hit things like a maternity hospital, Ukraine strikes jet planes parked at Russian airfields.

In Georgia, UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband was kidnapped and their three children threatened.

The Georgia Dream Party is getting rid of some sanctioned people, but can’t find good replacements.

Big Russia-Ukraine transfer of prisoners begins.

Drone enters building with Russian military vehicles, locates the gas tank on the biggest one and dives in!

Russia producing over 5k drones per month, a little over half of them armed, the rest decoys.

Ukrainian boxer challenges President Trump to live in Ukraine for a week.

In temporarily occupied Crimea, Russians are building concrete hangers for their jets.

Russian military targets on fire.

Errol Musk visits Moscow.

More Russian blown up and burning.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/09/war-for-ukraine-day-1201-russia-continues-its-nightly-bombardments/

 

Day 1199 War in Ukraine

Ukraine attacks military targets, Russia attacks civilians.

Massive bombing of Kharkiv.

President Zelenskyy takes strong exception to Trump saying Ukraine & Russia were “kids who are fighting in the park. Putin is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids” More from ABC News interview.

Videos of speeches by First Lady Zelenska.

Russian Su-35 fighter jet downed. It costs £74million (over $100 million).

Russian drone operators building hit.

Russian Buk-M3 air defense system taken out.

Ukrainian 137th Territorial Defense Battalion uses homemade rocket launcher mounted on a civilian car to launch rockets.

Presentation of IRIS-T SLM air defense system. It took out eight cruise missiles in 30 seconds!

Butcher’s bill in Kharkiv.

Plant for coal enrichment that once employed thousands, sits empty now as war is too close by.

“Azot chemical plant, fascist Russia’s largest domestic producer of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers” was hit and is burning.

Russia moves two “Tu-160 bombers to Anadyr — 6,600 km from Ukraine but only 660 km from the U.S.” to keep them safe from further strikes.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/07/war-for-ukraine-day-1199-putin-russia-continue-to-unload-on-kharkiv/

 

Day 1198 War in Ukraine

 

A “double-tap strike” is when a missile hits and then another missile hits the same spot later, killing first responders.

Many Ukrainian first responders killed and wounded in a “double-tap” strike.

“President Zelenskyy also addressed the International Summit of Cities and Regions ‘United for Peace and Security’”

Protesters in Georgia are charged $2k USD.

Georgia’s ruling party filed suit as protesters chanted a song containing swear words. They also sued over social media posts.

Britain feels trapped between Putin and Trump over Ukraine. Russia expert Fiona Hill comments.

Trump claims that Operation Spiderweb, which took out over 40 Russian strategic bombers, “gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them” as though Russia hadn’t been regularly bombing Ukraine anyway. White House acts to water down Russian sanctions bill.

Ukraine gets a bit closer to EU membership, effective January of next year.

Russia has very ambitious plans for 2026.

Yowza! Map of aerial Russian attack on Ukraine.

Kharkiv enduring massive attack with around 50 explosions counted.

Meagan Mobbs is the daughter of Special Envoy Kellogg, says she gets “the strange feeling the Russians don't want peace"

Video of four Russian missile strikes.

Fire broke out at Engels Airfield. This is a major source of aviation fuel for Russia.

Damage assessment on earlier Ukrainian drone strike.

Bryansk airport hit with Ukrainian drones.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/06/war-for-ukraine-day-1198-the-russian-drone-swarms-in-the-small-hours-continue/

Day 1196 War in Ukraine

She’s referring to Mzia Amaglobeli - Georgia’s first female journalist political prisoner.

Special Envoy Kellogg is convinced that the US will apply new sanctions to Russia. Trump continues to claim that Russia would never have attacked Ukraine if he had been president in 2022, but “every time he says it, Russia attacks Ukraine.” Trump continues to express “delusional confidence.” Putin describes Ukrainian leaders as “terrorists.” and “Who negotiates with terrorists?”

Georgia cannot be a self-sustaining dictatorship. Outside id for them muse cease.

“Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, is calling on the U.S. and EU to respond as Georgian Dream moves to censor a critical TV channel through new amendments to the broadcasting law”

“49% of Georgia's population tend to trust the European Union, 37% tend toward distrust, and 14% says they don't know. “

Georgia has 60 political prisoners.

Netherlands pledges “€400 million package for maritime security, including 100+ fast vessels and 50+ sea drones.”

“The UK is investing £350m ($473m) this year to increase the supply of drones to Ukraine”

Russia trying hard to sway Moldova so that Transnistria can be reinforced with more troops.

Russia only has two A-50s (Russian AWACS) left. Not clear whether they’re operational.

Ukraine hacked into Russian plane manufacturer. The manufacturer had nothing secret as a back-up.

Trump talks to his good buddy Putin and assures us that Putin will retaliate for the attack on the “docked airplanes.” He also threatens Iran.

Russia extensively bombing Kharkiv and Sumy.

“North Korean 170-mm self-propelled artillery system ‘Koksan’” has been spotted near Ukraine.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/04/war-for-ukraine-day-1196-if-you-look-around-the-table-cant-tell-who-the-mark-is-youre-the-mark/

 

Day 1193 War in Ukraine

“Trump to Zelenskyy: ‘You don’t have the cards.’”

In a massive smuggling operation, drone parts are brought into Russia via wooden mobile cabins. The drones took off from the cabins and attacked four airbases, destroying irreplaceable aircraft. Russia loses over 40 aircraft, costing over $7 billion. 34% of their missile carriers are now disabled.

“...by spending months quietly emplacing containers of drones in delivery trucks and vans, will force the Russians to inspect every similar vehicle” That will cost lots and LOTS of $$$!!! Blogger considers the operation first rate.

Zelenskyy describes the operation in detail.

Georgians celebrate Ukraine’s mission against Russian airfields.

Elon Musk realizes drones are the future of warfare.

“New bomber production, like Tu-160, has been limited to just a few aircraft per decade.”

Ukraine prepared to deliver draft peace proposal.

29 years ago, Ukraine gave its last nuclear weapon to Russia. Kate from Kharkiv says: “No country in the future will follow Ukraine's steps.”

Ukraine has anti-Shahed interceptor drones.

Bridge collapses in Kursk region in the middle of a freight train crosses over. Another one in Bryansk region collapses as well.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/01/war-for-ukraine-day-1193-centers-of-gravity/