Victory Chronicles-DAY 1211

Ukrainian rescue workers have recovered eight more bodies from the rubble of a nine-story residential building destroyed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, bringing the number of killed civilians to 24.

The search continued overnight in the Solomianskyi district. Most victims were found at the site of the collapsed high-rise, where 35 apartments were destroyed. Seventeen people were killed there, with additional fatalities reported in the Darnytskyi district and one more in a hospital.

Rescuers say the exact number of missing remains unclear. Emergency crews continue to clear debris and search for unaccounted for residents..

The June 17 combination drone and missile attack was one of the deadliest in the capital in recent months, with widespread destruction across multiple districts. Over 100 people were injured. City officials and emergency services remain on high alert amid ongoing threats from Russian missile and drone strikes.

Russia’s fossil fuel revenues hit wartime low in May – CREA. Russia’s oil and gas export revenues fell to their lowest level since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Center  for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reported this month. In May 2025, daily income from seaborne crude exports dropped to 176 million euros ($189 million)—down 8 percent from April and 22 percent  on a yearly basis. Overall hydrocarbon revenues fell 19 percent compared to May 2024 and nearly 50 percent  since early 2022. CREA warns that cutting the oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel could slash Russia’s monthly earnings by 2.7 billion euros, or 27 percent.

Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia sparks three fires, damages warehouses and homes. Thirteen Russian drones struck the city of Zaporizhzhia overnight on June 17–18 , triggering multiple fires and causing widespread destruction. According to regional officials, warehouse facilities and an industrial facility were hit.

The blasts shattered windows and damaged facades of nearby high-rise residential buildings. Several cars were burned. Initial reports indicate no casualties.

Emergency services worked through the night to extinguish the fires and assess damage. Authorities say the scale of destruction highlights the ongoing threat of drone attacks on civilian and industrial infrastructure across Ukraine.

Nearly 20,000 Russian military vehicles destroyed since start of year. Ukrainian forces have destroyed nearly 20,000 units of Russian military transport vehicles since the beginning of 2025, severely disrupting enemy logistics, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

In a statement posted by the General Staff, Syrskyi said that 19,421 Russian vehicles had been struck in under six months, leading to the destruction of thousands of tons of ammunition, fuel, and equipment that never reached frontline troops.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted the third largest combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on the night of June 16 to 17.
• The June 16-17 strike series heavily targeted Kyiv City and hit residential areas in the capital, as Russian officials and milbloggers called on Russia to intensify its strikes against Ukraine.
• Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced that North Korea would send 6,000 sappers and military engineers to help with reconstruction efforts in Kursk Oblast.
• The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced sanctions packages against Russia on June 16 and 17.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk.

In Memoriam: Nazar Poyidenchuk, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces

Pvt. Nazar Poyidenchuk, known by the call sign “Kaban,” was killed on May 9, 2024, during a combat mission near the village of Ivanivske in Donetsk Oblast. He was 20.

Poyidenchuk was born in the village of Pakhutyntsi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. After graduating from his local school, he studied at the Chornoostriv Professional Agricultural Lyceum, where he trained as a tractor operator. Before joining the army, he worked as a security guard in Starokostiantyniv and had a strong interest in military affairs.

In June 2023, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served with the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade as a senior machine gunner in the 212th Battalion’s rifle company.

“Nazar was sincere, friendly, cheerful, brave, and courageous,” his sister Yulia said. “He always offered a helping hand when needed. He was the life of the party, always joking. Nazar was truly committed to his duty and was a real patriot.”

He was posthumously awarded the For the Defense of Ukraine and For Sacrifice and Love of Ukraine medals.

Poyidenchuk was laid to rest in his native village. He is survived by his mother, brother, and sister.

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

• US State Department condemns Russian attack on Kyiv that killed dozens
• Ukrainian troops receive French drone capable of striking targets up to 25 kilometers away
• Czech minister: Ukraine arms supplies can stretch into 2026
• Reuters: Trump’s envoy Kellogg plans trip to Belarus and meeting with Lukashenko
• Canadian PM: G7 leaders prepared to consider all pressure options on Russia
• Reuters: G7 won’t issue joint statement on Ukraine due to US opposition
• Zelenskyy at G7 Summit: We must continue urging Trump to pressure Putin
• Canada boosts pressure on Russia with US$1.48 billion in military aid for Ukraine