Victory Chronicles-DAY 1206

Russia is turning the Kerch airport in eastern occupied Crimea into a military facility. Experts posit it may become a launch site for Shahed drones or a hub for air defense systems.

According to a report by Skhemy (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), Russian property registry documents show that on March 4, 2025, the Russian Defense Ministry received indefinite rights to use part of the airport’s land. Satellite images from Planet Labs (February to June 2025) confirm ongoing construction, including new camouflage structures and fortified zones.

Aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi stated that the scale of the structures suggests potential use for drone operations or the deployment of systems like the short to medium-range air defense systems of Pantsir-S1 or Tor-M2. The runway’s layout also supports drone activity.

Previously used for freight vehicle parking, the area was cleared in March under the pretext of “reorganization.” The last passenger flight from the airport occurred in 2007.

Germany pledges extra $2.05 billion dollars in military aid to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced in Kyiv that Berlin plans to boost its military aid to Ukraine by an additional 1.9 billion euros ($2.05 billion), DPA reported on June 12. The funds would go toward long-range missiles and other weapons to help Ukrainian strike targets deep behind enemy lines. The package still requires the German parliament’s — Bundestag – approval, but if passed, Germany’s total military support for 2025 would hit a record 9 billion euros ($9.7 billion). Pistorius made the announcement alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint news conference.

Six bodies recovered after Russian strike on Kharkiv factory. First responders have completed emergency operations at an industrial facility in Kharkiv, where Russian forces launched one of their most intensive assaults and unleashed a barrage of drones, ballistic missiles, and guided aerial bombs on Ukraine’s second most populous city on June 7. A total of six civilians were killed in the attack.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that on the evening on June 12, the body of a sixth victim was recovered from the rubble. Search and rescue efforts lasted six days.

The Russian attack destroyed several production buildings, caused structural collapses, and triggered large fires. Two people were rescued during the initial response.

Emergency workers, canine units, heavy machinery, and municipal services were involved in clearing more than 70 tons of debris. The six victims included three men and three women.

Ukrainian drone unit destroys anti-tank mine depot in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian drone forces have destroyed a Russian stockpile of anti-tank mines in Russia’s Kursk region, the Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces reported early on June 13.

The 413th “Raid” Battalion, operating as part of the consolidated drone unit of the 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment “Zhmil,” discovered the uncamouflaged depot and struck it using unmanned aerial vehicles. Footage released by the unit shows the resulting explosions and destruction.

“The enemy left the mines exposed in a tree line with no proper concealment — and paid the price,” the unit stated.

In addition to the mine stockpile, drone operators also destroyed a Z-STS armored vehicle known as “Akhmat,” developed for Chechen security forces. Ukrainian forces reported further strikes on Russian cargo trucks, pickups, and minibuses during the operation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces have sustained over 1 million casualties since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, over half of which occurred since January 2024.
• Russian forces have reportedly sustained an average of 1,286 casualties per day between January and early June 2025 in exchange for marginal territorial gains.
• Russian forces recently advanced across the western Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border northwest of Kurakhove as part of a multi-pronged effort to advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
• Russian forces are likely attempting to level the frontlines in the Novopavlivka and Kurakhove directions to advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
• The Ukrainian forces continue to demonstrate their ability to conduct successful long-range strikes that target Russia’s defense industrial base (DIB).
• Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war (POWs) again on June 12, in accordance with agreements the parties previously reached during talks in Istanbul on June 2.
• Southeastern European countries reiterated their support for Ukraine on June 11, including Serbia signaling its willingness to improve bilateral relations with Ukraine.
• Germany pledged to supply Ukraine with additional financial and materiel support, including air defense systems.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Toretsk. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast and near Siversk and Kurakhove.

In Memoriam: Dmytro Kucheriavyi, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces

Private Dmytro Kucheriavyi, known by the call sign “Kinder,” was killed on Dec. 17, 2024, near the village of Martynivka in the Sudzhanskyi district of Russia’s Kursk region. He died during a combat mission under enemy rocket fire. He was 29.

Kucheriavyi was born in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast. He studied at local School No. 1 and later earned a vocational degree in automotive mechanics from Kremenchuk Vocational Technical School No. 22. In civilian life, he worked as a forklift operator at the Kremenchuk Tobacco Factory and also held jobs abroad.

In August 2019, Kucheriavyi signed a contract with the 80th Air Assault Brigade, serving as a signalman. He took part in combat missions in the Joint Forces Operation zone while also pursuing a degree in management at the Classical Private University.

After the full-scale Russian invasion, he continued to defend Ukraine with his brigade. “He was the best friend and son, a devoted husband who always offered support and came to help. A true professional and loyal soldier, he completed every mission without hesitation. ‘Always first.’ Ukraine lost a committed and just son, and our family lost its strongest support. In our hearts, Dmytro will forever remain smiling, full of life, kind, and sincere,” said his wife, Iryna.

Kucheriavyi was posthumously awarded the Order For Courage, 3rd Class. He was laid to rest at the Alley of Glory in the Svishtove Cemetery in Kremenchuk. He is survived by his parents and wife.

*Kucheriavyi’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• Former US envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker: peace unlikely, but ceasefire possible with squeeze on Putin’s finances
• Several explosions heard in temporarily occupied Crimea
• Zelenskyy: Ukrainian forces gradually pushing Russians back in Sumy Oblast
• Russia’s Putin calls for quick development of drone forces
• 48 countries say Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant can be restarted only after it returns to Ukrainian control
• Trump’s envoy Kellogg discusses plan to stop war and reintegrate Russia into “League of Proper Nations”