**Putin Claims All of Ukraine as Russian Territory**
In a recent speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a bold claim, stating that “all of Ukraine” belongs to Russia. This assertion comes amidst a surge in aggressive official statements from Moscow about its final territorial ambitions in Ukraine.
Putin’s claim is based on a false narrative often pushed by Russian propaganda and leaders like himself, suggesting that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people.” This rhetoric has long been a justification for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
**Expansionist Demands**
In the same speech, Putin made several other statements about Moscow’s aims in the war going forward. He implied that Russia intends to continue occupying more than just the five Ukrainian regions it has illegally claimed: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Moscow demands that Kyiv recognize these regions as Russian and hand over all territory not yet controlled by Russian forces into occupation. This includes the regional capitals of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
**Russian Ground Attacks Intensify**
Russian ground attacks have intensified along the northeastern border, with Putin’s forces striking residential buildings in Odesa overnight on June 20. The attack killed a civilian and injured at least 14 others, including three emergency workers.
In another incident, Ukraine brought home another group of prisoners of war released from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 20.
**Drone Attacks Continue**
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 34 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight. This is part of a larger pattern of drone attacks that have continued throughout the conflict.
**International Response**
The European Commission has proposed that Ukraine join the European Union’s mobile roaming area starting January 1, 2026. The move would allow Ukrainian users to make phone calls, texts, and use mobile data in EU countries at no extra charge.
In a separate development, Dutch lawmakers declared that the Soviet-led deportation of Crimean Tatars constitutes genocide by contemporary legal and historical definitions.
**Humanitarian Crisis**
The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences. At least 28 people have been killed and 134 others injured after a mass Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on June 17.
A U.S. civilian, Fred Grandy, was among those killed in the attack, making him the first American citizen to be killed by a Russian strike on Ukraine.
