A Look at the Terrible Tango: Russia-Ukraine Unraveled
Live updates: Latest developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, minute-by-minute reporting
In a candid chat, French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva not to treat Russia and Ukraine as equals, veiling the former as the aggressor and the latter as the victim. Macron's warning came days into the war, as Brazil showed signs of a neutral stance.
The Siberian Strike: Operation Spiderweb Exposed
New satellite images revealed the magnitude of Ukraine's attack on Russia's air power, with seven strategic bombers belonging to Russia stationed thousands of kilometers away from the Ukrainian border, destroyed in Siberia. This devastation occurred during one of the daring covert operations of the war, known as Operation Spiderweb.
The Kremlin's Counterstrike in the Works
Russia appeared determined to retaliate for Ukraine's weekend attacks on several airports, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov proclaimed. The response, however, would come when and how the Russian army deemed fit.
Deadly Night in Pryluky: A city under the Russian Spotlight
A drone attack by Russian forces on apartment buildings in Pryluky, Ukraine, left at least five people dead, including a one-year-old child, and injured 24. Situated close to the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine, Pryluky has endured persistent attacks from Russian drones and missiles since the start of the conflict.
Riled Talks and Continued Aggression
US President Joe Biden shared that his conversation with Vladimir Putin revealed little hope for immediate peace, as negotiations had reached a stalemate. Meanwhile, Ukraine's intelligence service struck the Crimean Bridge in another unique operation, causing no civilian casualties. This move followed the massive strike on Russian strategic bombers.
Ceasefire Proposal Viewed as an "Ultimatum"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia's ceasefire proposal an "ultimatum," echoing his plea for direct talks with Putin. He also described the previous negotiations as a political act intended to gain time, defer sanctions, and persuade the United States of Russia's willingness to negotiate.
"Terrorist Organization"? Putin's Angry Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian government of functioning as a "terrorist organization" following the attacks on Russian targets. Moscow attributed the incidents to Ukraine and Western assistance.
Prisoner Swap and Body Exchange for Soldiers
Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange 500 prisoners of war this weekend, along with exchanging all seriously wounded prisoners of war or those under 25 years old, as well as exchanging 6,000 fallen soldiers' bodies from each side.
The Kremlin Acknowledges Crimea Bridge Attack, But Minimizes Damage
Acknowledging Ukraine's attack on the Kerch bridge for the first time, the Kremlin claimed that the structure had not suffered significant damage.
No Let-Up in Hostilities: Crimea Bridge Operations and the Spiderweb Saga Continues
As peace talks stalled and a fresh meeting was planned for later in the month, Ukraine's intelligence service attacked the Crimea Bridge in another operation following the massive strike on Russian strategic bombers with nuclear capability. The operation, known as Operation Spiderweb, had been in the works for several months, with agents initially mining the bridge's pillars, and culminating in an explosion on Tuesday without any civilian casualties.
From the beginning, the war has been a bloody dance between two nations, with no sign of rest on the horizon. The ongoing aggression underscores the complex and tense relationship between Russia and Ukraine, affecting regional and global geopolitics.
Other News from Russia
Recent Developments in Operation Spiderweb
Operation Spiderweb, a complex and daring operation conducted by Ukraine targeting four Russian military air bases, reportedly caused significant damage to Russia's cruise missile bomber fleet and inflicted approximately $7 billion in losses. The operation, which used short-range explosive-laden drones, has led to Russia reassessing its security measures and relocating surviving bombers, among other defensive enhancements.
[1] Myers, S. G., & Debenedetti, C., (2025, June 15). Satellite Images Show Wreckage of Russian Bombers in Siberian Attack. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/15/world/europe/ukraine-siberia-russia-bombers.html
[2] Schwartz, S., Gregory, A., & Burns, J. (2025, June 15). Russia Acknowledges Ukraine Attack on Crimea Bridge, But Downplays Damage. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/1097811813/russia-ukraine-crimea-bridge-attack
[3] Walker, P., & Smith, S., (2025, June 14). Ukraine Claims it has Killed 41 Russian Planes in Siberian Attack. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/14/ukraine-claims-it-has-killed-41-russian-planes-in-siberian-attack
[4] Klimov, S., & Allison, J., (2025, June 15). Operation Spiderweb: Fateful Day Marks Start of a Radical Shift in the Ukraine War. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/6143534/operation-spiderweb-ukraine-war/
[5] Kramer, A., & Savenko, I., (2025, June 15). Satellite Images Show Destruction of Seven Russian Bombers in Ukraine's Daring Attack on Siberian Base. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/6d3c92a0a5aeb92219f553dd3f9f4f0e
- In the wake of the devastating Siberian attack, which saw seven Russian strategic bombers destroyed and approximately $7 billion in losses, the ongoing Operation Spiderweb has forced Russia to reassess its security measures, relocate surviving bombers, and implement defensive enhancements.
- Amidst the wave of general news about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, it is imperative to also consider the wider geopolitical implications and the role of global powers, including politics and diplomatic efforts, in this terrible tango.
