Zelenskyy signs off on landmine use, Russia pounds Ukraine in record attack – Weekend brief

Ukraine under record fire: 537 Russian missiles and drones launched in one night

On the night of June 29, Russia fired a record number of targets at Ukraine–537. Air defense forces shot down most of them, but there were also hits, according to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Most of them were shot down by air defense forces, but some hits were scored.

The Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytskyi regions were hit, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure. The Russians also attacked Smila, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv.

Ukrainian F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko was tragically killed while repelling the attack. He managed to steer the plane away from residential areas but was unable to eject.

On Sunday afternoon, Zelenskyy awarded Ustymenko the title of Hero of Ukraine and posthumously promoted him to colonel.

More about the consequences of the night attack on Ukraine can be found in the article by RBC-Ukraine.

Zelenskyy pulls Ukraine out of landmine treaty as war reshapes defense policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree for Ukraine to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines. He also ordered immediate action to implement this decision.

"The decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated June 29, 2025, 'On Ukraine's withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, dated September 18, 1997,' shall be enacted," the document reads.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a detailed explanation for Ukraine's refusal to impose restrictions on mines.

Drones hit Bryansk for four days in a row: Russian air defense damage homes

Bryansk has been under drone attacks for the fourth day in a row. Enemy air defense, which is trying to shoot down the drones, has already damaged several residential apartment buildings, RBC-Ukraine sources report.

According to the sources, today, June 29, residents of Bryansk woke up to powerful explosions. Air defense was active over the city, trying to shoot down drones.

Putin says Russia will cut military spending as economy 'on the brink of going into a recession'

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to cut military spending after officials warned that Russia is "on the brink of going into a recession," informs The Telegraph.

Putin said Russia would reduce defense spending “next year and the year after, over the next three-year period,” though he did not name a specific year.

His comments followed last week's statement by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, who warned that the country is "on the brink of going into a recession" — a significant economic slowdown.

Zelenskyy praises 'good' Trump meeting on Patriot systems and Russia negotiations

At a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit as "good." He said they discussed a wide range of topics, including the supply of Patriot air defense systems.

"It was a good meeting with President Trump. The range of topics was broad. We discussed all issues, which are primarily related to the Patriot topics, how to defend our sky, and other steps connected with the negotiation process, as well as sanctions policy, our bilateral relations after signing the bilateral agreement," Zelenskyy said