New commander of Ukrane's Ground Forces and Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap - Thursday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Hennadii Shapovalov as commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia conducted a new prisoner exchange.
Read more about what happened on Thursday, June 19.
Zelenskyy appoints Hennadii Shapovalov as Commander of the Ground Forces
Hennadii Shapovalov will become the new Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The appointment was approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine and Russia hold new POWs exchange: Details
Ukraine and Russia carried out a new prisoner exchange on Thursday, June 19. Most of the defenders who were returned had been held captive since 2022.
"Our people are returning home from Russian captivity. These are warriors of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Most of them had been held captive since 2022," the President says.
Israel to hit Iran harder: Netanyahu orders intensified strikes on strategic sites
Israel will increase the intensity of strikes on the territory of Iran. This is a response to Tehran’s shelling of Israeli cities.
"The cowardly Iranian dictator sits deep in a fortified bunker and fires precision strikes at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote.
Katz called the attack from Iran “the gravest category of war crimes.” The Israeli defense minister warned that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be held accountable.
Russia agrees to send back some Ukrainian children
Russia is preparing a list of children it is ready to return to Ukraine. The list may be handed over during the next round of negotiations.
Possible US intervention in Iran conflict: Trump sets two-week deadline for decision
US President Donald Trump will decide on possible direct US involvement in the war with Iran within the next two weeks.
