Russia launches biggest attack on Kremenchuk as Ukraine and Moscow swap prisoners - Weekend brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
This weekend saw the most massive attack Russian attack on Ukrainian Kremenchuk, as well as a prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow.
More details on what happened over the weekend are in the RBC-Ukraine report.
Largest attack on Kremenchuk
In the early hours of June 15, Russia launched a combined strike on Kremenchuk, using drones and various types of missiles. Reports indicate this was one of the most large-scale attacks on the city since the start of the full-scale invasion.
According to local media, at least 30 explosions were heard in the city.
The head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration said the strikes targeted energy and agricultural infrastructure in the Kremenchuk community.
A residential building, a car, and power lines were also damaged.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the enemy strike as well.
Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia
During the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a new large-scale prisoner exchange. The sides reached an agreement to return:
- wounded individuals,
- seriously ill prisoners,
- captives aged 18–25.
Prisoner exchanges occurred on June 9, 10, and 12, and again on Saturday, June 14. Among those freed were soldiers who had been in captivity since 2022, including defenders of Mariupol, as well as officers.
Ukraine and Russia also agreed in Istanbul to return the bodies of fallen soldiers under the "6,000 for 6,000" formula. Repatriation efforts were carried out on June 11, 13, and 15. Notably, yesterday, the bodies of 1,200 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were returned home.
Ukrainians killed in Israel after Iranian strikes
Five Ukrainian citizens, including three children, were killed in a massive missile attack launched by Iran against Israel.
According to preliminary information from the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel, on June 14, a missile hit a residential building in the city of Bat Yam during Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel. As a result, five Ukrainian nationals were killed, among them three minor children.
Ukrainian Armed Forces liberate Andriivka, Sumy region
Ukrainian troops have liberated the village of Andriivka near the border in the Sumy region and advanced along the Pokrovsk axis.
President Zelensky highlighted the achievements of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, saying they especially deserve recognition for recent days of combat.
"In particular, for offensive actions in the Sumy border area and the liberation of Andriivka. Thank you very much, guys!" Zelenskyy said.
UK intelligence reveals North Korean losses in Ukraine
According to the latest British intelligence, North Korean troops have likely suffered over 6,000 casualties during offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region.
The report notes that these losses account for more than half of the roughly 11,000 North Korean soldiers initially deployed to the area.
Ukraine strikes Russian attack drone facility
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on Sunday, June 15, Ukraine carried out a successful special operation on Russian territory, targeting a key facility in Tatarstan involved in the production of attack drones.
According to the military, as part of efforts to weaken Russia's capability to manufacture combat UAVs, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in coordination with other branches of the Defense Forces, struck a critical site of the Russian military-industrial complex.
More details on this high-impact strike are in the RBC-Ukraine report.
