Ukraine downed 24 of 31 Russian aerial targets overnight

Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted all 17 Shahed-type attack drones and seven out of 14 missiles launched by Russia during the night of 14 June, according to Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

The drones were reportedly launched from Yeysk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and occupied Crimea. In addition, 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95 bomber planes over Russia's Saratov Oblast. Moscow's forces also launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar Krai, along with one Kinzhal Kh-47M2 air-launched ballistic missile from the Tambov region.

Putin names ceasefire requirments, including Kyiv's complete withdrawal from four Ukrainian regions

On 14 June, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would agree to a ceasefire and enter peace talks only if Ukraine withdraws its forces from the four Ukrainian regions claimed by the Kremlin: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Additionally, Putin's demands include that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join NATO and recognize Crimea and Sevastopol as Russian territories.

Putin outlined these terms ahead of the global peace summit scheduled for 15-16 June in Switzerland. He emphasized that Ukraine must demonstrate readiness by starting a real withdrawal of troops from the mentioned regions and officially renounce plans to join NATO. In response, Putin promised an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations, assuring the safe withdrawal of Ukrainian forces.

Despite these declarations, Russia currently occupies significant parts of Luhansk Oblast and parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, although the regional capitals Kherson and Zaporizhzhia remain under Ukrainian control. Moscow has controlled Crimea since 2014. In September 2022, Russia declared the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, despite not fully occupying these areas. Ukrainian counteroffensives have since reclaimed substantial territory.

Ukraine maintains that a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory is a precondition for any peace negotiations. Kyiv hopes the upcoming peace summit will address key issues such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of kidnapped children, and global food security. The summit aims to develop a unified negotiating position to present to Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba suggested that Putin's announcement was an attempt to derail the peace summit, asserting that the Kremlin is not genuinely interested in peace. Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of collaborating with Moscow to reduce attendance at the summit, a claim that Beijing has denied.

North Korea could send up to 5 million artillery shells to Russia

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik revealed in an interview with Bloomberg on 14 June that North Korea has supplied Russia with up to 4.8 million artillery shells. Amidst dwindling military stockpiles due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has increasingly relied on North Korea for weapon supplies.

Seoul has identified at least 10,000 containers being shipped from North Korea to Russia. These shipments included dozens of ballistic missiles used by Russian forces against Ukraine. Both Kyiv and Washington have previously noted the use of North Korean-produced missiles in Russian attacks. Ukrainian prosecutors reported that approximately 50 such missiles have been used against six Ukrainian oblasts since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

In return for the ammunition, Russia has reportedly provided North Korea with technological assistance for deploying spy satellites, as well as tanks and aircraft.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Vietnam and North Korea soon, likely seeking to secure more military supplies and strengthen security cooperation with Pyongyang, according to the South Korean minister.

Additionally, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced on 12 May that it is investigating suspicions that North Korea has been supplying Russia with artillery shells and other weaponry manufactured in the 1970s.

NATO 'not yet agreed' on long-term financial support for Ukraine

On 14 June, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that NATO allies have not yet reached an agreement on a long-term financial commitment to support Ukraine. This announcement followed a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. Stoltenberg has proposed that NATO provide Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros ($43 billion) in annual military support for as long as necessary.

Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of long-term pledges, stating that they would provide Ukraine with better planning assumptions, predictability, and transparency, while sending a clear message to Moscow that NATO's support will not waver. Despite the lack of consensus on long-term financial aid, the defense ministers did agree on a plan to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine. This plan will be officially launched at the NATO summit in Washington from July 9-12, aiming to solidify NATO's support for Ukraine in the coming years.

In preparation for the Washington summit, Stoltenberg highlighted the need for NATO allies to agree on delivering immediate capabilities such as ammunition, which he identified as the most urgent requirement.

This update comes amidst Hungary's stance on NATO initiatives to support Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared that Hungary will not participate in these efforts, either through financial contributions or personnel deployment. However, Orban assured Stoltenberg that Hungary will not obstruct other NATO allies' efforts to support Ukraine. Hungary has consistently opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, and Western aid efforts for Ukraine, while maintaining close ties with Moscow throughout the conflict.