Russia maintained a high operational tempo across Ukraine last week, with over 300 tactical engagements on some days, the highest in months, particularly around Pokrovsk. Russian forces conducted intensive aerial bombardments using Shahed-Geran drones, Iskander, KN-23 ballistic missiles, Zircon nuclear-capable cruise missiles, and modified S-400 interceptors, striking Kyiv, residential buildings, and Dnipro, causing civilian casualties.
Ukraine retaliated with its own long-range strikes, notably destroying an Iskander launcher and two Tu-142 aircraft at Taganrog. On June 2–3, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces targeted the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, hundreds of miles into Russia, coinciding with the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This strike, confirmed by President Zelenskyy as "long-range sanctions," aimed to damage Russia's hydrocarbon industry and undermine the Kremlin's economic resilience narrative. Despite Russia's smallest territorial gain since 2023 in May, the drone war intensified, with Russia using over 7,400 loitering munitions. Sweden also announced plans to transfer up to 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft to Ukraine by early 2027, with up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters expected before 2030, augmenting Ukraine's air-warfare deterrent.
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