Russia's war in Ukraine entered its 13th year, with its consequences increasingly spilling onto Russian territory. Ukraine has expanded its capacity to rearm through domestic weapons production, including long-range strike drones and missiles. Strategic industrial facilities are being systematically targeted across Russia at distances of up to 1,300 km, contributing to a growing fuel shortage crisis.
The advance of Russian invading troops in Ukraine has stalled, with only minimal territorial gains achieved at staggering human cost, estimated at 35,000 casualties per month. In response to the dramatically worsening situation both at home and along the frontline, the Kremlin has intensified its bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities, killing at least 1,075 civilians during the first five months of 2026.
On June 15, the European Union and Ukraine formally opened negotiations on the Fundamentals cluster, covering the rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic institutions, public administration reform, and economic criteria. The milestone brought Ukraine another step closer to EU membership, undermining one of the Kremlin's principal strategic objectives: keeping Ukraine within Russia's sphere of influence.
