Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky greets Sweden’s Defense Minister Pål Jonson, Kyiv, June 30, 2026
Tuesday’s Coverage: Zelensky — Russia’s 15 Deadlines to Seize Donetsk
UPDATE 0706 GMT:
The independent Russian outlet Meduza posts a series of testimonies about the everyday effect of Russia’s fuel shortage.
Anatoly of St. Petersburg, a logistics specialist in the fuel industry, says the supply chain is broken:”Adjusting routes and calling drivers is useless. For the first time, calculations cease to matter. Because there is no cargo.”
Yuri of Moscow muses, “Childhood memories of the late Soviet era immediately came flooding back — hours spent waiting at gas stations for gas, canisters cluttering the roof rack.”
Michael of Chita in eastern Russia summarizes:
Half the gas stations are completely out of fuel, while at the other half, queues last 20 hours. They only allow 15 liters per person. People with nowhere else to go line up 24 hours in advance and wait for a tanker.
Without a car, a family member can’t survive in our city. Now everyone is in shock; some have given up on transportation altogether.
And Yana of Lipetsk says bluntly, “I really want to grab Putin by the lapels, shake him, and say, ‘Look what the fuck you’ve done!'”
UPDATE 0659 GMT:
Amid fuel shortages and rationing caused by Ukraine’s counter-attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that “discussions are actively being held” with other countries for imports.
“If agreements can be reached at acceptable price points, then [imports] will move forward,” Peskov said.
Industry sources said last week that Russia is discussing the import of 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 grade gasoline from Kazakhstan. The Kazakh Energy Minister said Moscow has not made a formal approach.
UPDATE 0642 GMT:
Two civilians were murdered and six injured by a Russian drone strike on a passenger minibus in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine around 7 a.m.
The wounded — a 36-year-old man and five women aged 52 to 57, one of them a nurse — have been taken to hospital with blast injuries.
UPDATE 0638 GMT:
Ukraine downed 130 of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight, but 17 struck 16 locations.
Air defenses also intercepted a Kh-59 guided missile.
UPDATE 0617 GMT:
Ukraine’s drones hit and set afire a state-owned bearing plant in the Russian city of Penza overnight.
Penza is around 550 kilometers (340 miles) northeast of Ukraine’s border with Russia.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed new commitments by Sweden and Denmark to the defense of Kyiv against Russia’s 52-month full-scale invasion.
Zelensky announced an agreement on Tuesday for the purchase of 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter jets with a package of equipment, technical assistance, and support.
Under a previous agreement, Ukraine expects to receive its first 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets in early 2027.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a multirole fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions.
Zelensky met with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson to discuss implementation of the agreement and broader bilateral defense cooperation, including preparations for a joint drone initiative and work on anti-ballistic capabilities.
The Danish Government announced its 30th military aid package for Kyiv, worth around 4.4 billion Danish kroner (around $670 million). The assistance includes long-range artillery ammunition, weapons, equipment, and training for Ukrainian soldiers.
“There is currently a new dynamic on the battlefield with regard to Ukraine. That does not mean we can simply sit back,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. “On the contrary, we must maintain our support for Ukraine and increase the pressure on Russia in order to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position.”
Denmark has provided around 76.8 billion Danish kroner ($11.7 billion) in defense aid to Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Earlier this week, Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus met Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss a potential agreement on drone cooperation and expanded efforts to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities.
