**Ukraine Marks Mixed June Amid Worsening War**
The month of June has come to a close for Ukraine, and with it, a mix of successes and setbacks in the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia. While Ukrainian forces achieved significant victories on the battlefield, including a devastating drone attack on Russian air bases, Moscow’s military pushed deeper into Ukrainian territory.
**Drone Strikes Bring Hope**
The highlight of June came early, as Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, a daring drone strike against four Russian air bases. The attack disabled 34% of Russia’s cruise missile bombers and caused an estimated $7 billion in damage. This achievement was met with widespread celebration across the country, providing a much-needed morale boost for the Ukrainian people.
**Russian Advances**
However, as June progressed, Russian forces made significant gains on the battlefield. In Sumy Oblast, they captured several villages and approached within 20 kilometers of the regional capital of Sumy. This marked a turning point in the conflict, with Ukrainian forces struggling to stem the tide of Russian advances.
**Ukrainian Forces Regroup**
Despite the setbacks, Ukrainian forces managed to stabilize the situation in Sumy Oblast by the end of the month and pushed the Russian army farther from the regional capital. However, this came at a cost, as Russia intensified its assault on Ukrainian cities with deadly missile and drone strikes.
**Record Drone Attack**
On June 29, Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, targeting cities far from the front line with 477 drones and 60 missiles. This marked a record number of Shahed-type drones used against Ukraine in a single day.
**Peace Talks Fail Again**
Despite the escalating violence, Ukrainian officials attempted to secure a 30-day ceasefire with Russia during peace talks in Istanbul at the beginning of June. Unfortunately, these negotiations failed once again. However, they did lead to an exchange of the bodies of fallen soldiers and the return of a number of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
**A Glimmer of Hope**
The release of POWs was a long-awaited and deeply emotional moment for families who had spent years waiting for their loved ones to come home. While it provided some solace, the reality remains that the conflict continues to rage on.
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