Victory Chronicles-DAY 1220

Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Samаr near Dnipro in the southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, resulting in five innocent civilians killed and 23 injuries.

The strike triggered explosions in Samаr, prompting local authorities to urge residents to remain in shelters until the all-clear signal was given. The Air Force had earlier warned of a fast-moving aerial threat heading toward the Dnipro region.

It was the second Russian aerial strike in the area since June 24, when Dnipro-, Ukraine’s fourth most populous city, was targeted as well. 

Initially, four deaths were confirmed, with 17 people injured. Later updates from the Dnipropetrovsk Regional  Military Administration and regional prosecutors raised the casualty figures to five killed  and 23 injured. A 46-year-old man who had been seriously injured in the attack died in hospital.

According to Serhii Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional  Military Administration, four of the injured are in critical condition, while others are in moderate condition. 

EU minus Hungary backs $33 billion in aid for Ukraine. Twenty-six of the EU’s 27 member states have endorsed long-term financial support for Ukraine, approving a 2025 aid package worth 30.6 billion euros (about $33 billion). Hungary opposed the measure, prompting the bloc to adopt the decision in a “EU minus Hungary” format following the June 26 summit in Brussels. Of the total, 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) have already been disbursed under the Ukraine Facility, and 7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) will be provided through the G7 ERA initiative, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. The move ensures continued support despite Hungary’s stubborn stance and its veto.

Ukraine completes seventh stage of major prisoner swap. Ukraine has completed the seventh stage of its large-scale prisoner exchange under the Istanbul agreements, returning severely wounded, chronically ill, and under-25 defenders—many of whom spent over three years in Russian captivity.

Footage released by the Coordination Headquarters and Defense Ministry shows emotional reunions, with freed soldiers embracing loved ones, calling home, and burning their prison uniforms. Border Guard footage also captured buses carrying Russian POWs back to Russia. Among the repatriated captives are service members from the Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Assault 

Ukrainian intelligence drones destroy Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea

Drones operated by the Prymary (Ghosts) special unit of Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) have struck and destroyed key components of Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea, the agency reported.

According to HUR, the targets included two 92N2E multi-function control radars, two 91N6E detection radars, and a missile launcher from an S-400 “Triumf” (Triumph) system.

“Radars are the ‘eyes’ of the enemy’s air defense. Without them, the systems are rendered ineffective,” HUR said.

Footage released by military intelligence shows precision strikes on the expensive and strategically vital equipment, weakening Russia’s air defense capabilities on the peninsula.

Key Takeaways:

• South Korean intelligence suggests that North Korea may deploy North Korean troops to Ukrainian territory, which would represent a significant battlefield inflection.
• US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the NATO summit on June 25 and discussed possible US sales of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine and joint weapons production.
• Kremlin officials continue to platform bellicose rhetoric aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine and to demonstrate Russia’s uncompromising position on Ukraine.
• Satellite imagery of select armored vehicle repair plants in Russia indicates that Russia continues to rely on refurbishing its Soviet-era stores of armored vehicles.
• Ukraine and Russia conducted the seventh prisoner of war (POW) exchange, in accordance with the June 2 Istanbul agreements.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Novopavlivka. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast and near Toretsk.

In Memoriam: Serhii Velykyi, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces

Sr. rifleman-operator Serhii Velykyi, known by the call sign Velykyi, was killed in action on February 25, 2024, during a combat mission near the village of Krynychne (formerly Lastochkyne) in Donetsk region. He was 35 years old.

Velykyi was born in the village of Rivne in Kirovohrad region. He graduated from the Kropyvnytskyi Agricultural Vocational College and lived in the regional capital. Before the war, he worked as a foreman at Specialized Department No. 411 of Dniproelektromontazh.

He had previously served during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and returned to the front lines after Russia’s full-scale invasion began. He fought with the 61st Separate Mechanized Brigade as a senior rifleman-operator in the 2nd platoon of the 3rd mechanized company.

For his service, Velykyi received the Presidential Award “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation,” the General Staff’s distinction “ATO Participant,” and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s medal “For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine.”

“You were always an example of courage and devotion, never afraid to move forward to defend your homeland. You left us with the eternal memory of a true Hero. We will always be proud of you. Rest in peace, our dear defender. You will forever remain with us,” wrote his wife, Valentyna.

Velykyi was buried at Dalekoskhidne Cemetery in Kropyvnytskyi. He is survived by his parents, wife, son, sister, and niece.

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

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