Ukraine News Updates – June 25, 2026
Ukraine Wraps Year-Long Smart Force Academy for Defense Producers
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and the Kyiv School of Economics have completed the 12-month Smart Force Academy, an educational program for domestic arms and military equipment producers. The program involved 385 representatives from 199 defense companies, covering about 20% of the sector. Participants studied sales, production, investment, R&D, and business management through lectures, practical sessions, case studies, panels, and site visits. A second phase, Smart Force Academy 2.0, will carry on in a new format.
Read more
Ukraine Opens TrophyLab Data on Captured Russian Weapons to Partners
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has launched TrophyLab — a platform that provides verified Ukrainian and international partners with access to research on captured Russian weapons. The platform includes technical documentation, analysis, and a catalog of seized systems, which includes a wide range of missiles, electronic warfare equipment, air defense assets, and armored vehicles. Researchers may also request physical access for inspection, disassembly, or testing. This initiative is intended to support defense development and help partners assess Russian military technology.
Read more
Ramstein Meeting Channels $4B to Patriot Missiles, Artillery, UAVs
At the 35th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, partners announced $4 billion in new support for Ukraine’s defense resources. About $1 billion will go to the PURL mechanism to supply PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Additional funding includes $540 million for extended-range artillery ammunition, more than $1 billion for drones, and support for electronic warfare, infantry vehicles, explosives, and training centers.
Read more
Labor Shortage Now Top Constraint for 69% of Ukrainian Industrial Firms
Ukraine’s labor shortage has reached a record level and is now the leading obstacle for businesses during the war, according to an IED survey of 469 industrial companies. Sixty-nine percent cited staff shortages, while rising input prices and workplace safety risks were reported by 49% and 44%, respectively. The issue is most acute in the frontline and central regions. Companies also reported weaker demand and growing logistics difficulties in transporting goods and raw materials.
Read more
New Oschadbank–EBRD Facility Eases Credit for Ukrainian Firms
Oschadbank and the EBRD signed a risk-sharing agreement to support lending to Ukrainian businesses. The agreement was announced on June 25 at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk. The first tranche is €150 million, with total program volume expected to attain €510 million. This program will cover loans to corporate, small, and medium-sized businesses, reduce collateral requirements, include partial debt reduction for war-damaged assets, and offer EU-funded grants of 10–30% for eligible projects.
Read more
Zelenskyy: Belarus-Based Drone Relay Stations Cease Operations
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that relay stations in Belarus used by Russia to guide attack drones against Ukraine stopped operating on June 22. According to Ukrainian military and intelligence reports, the stations are no longer active, though Zelensky did not say whether they had been dismantled. Ukraine is continuing to monitor the situation. Earlier, Kyiv said four such stations were located in Belarus and were used to launch strikes deeper inside Ukraine.
Read more
Hungary Stalls Opening of EU Accession Clusters for Ukraine, Moldova
Hungary was the only EU member state not to support a procedural document needed to open the next negotiation clusters for Ukraine and Moldova’s EU accession, Politico reported, citing diplomats. Ukraine had aimed to open all six clusters by mid-July after the first cluster was approved on June 15. The issue is expected to be brought back for consideration next week. EU accession decisions at this stage require consensus among all 27 member states.
Read more
Ukrainian Snack Brand Bob Snail Lands in 1,100 Walmart Stores
Ukrainian fruit snack producer Bob Snail has started selling its products in Walmart across the United States. According to its U.S. sales director, the brand is now available in about 1,100 Walmart stores and online, after three years of preparation involving certification, packaging adaptation, logistics, and retailer requirements. Initial products include fruit rolls and snack packs. Bob Snail recently entered Target and operates in 26 countries.
Read more
Britain Uses Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Nearly $1B in Aid for Ukraine
The United Kingdom announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth £750 million, or about $1 billion, during the June 18 Ramstein-format Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. The package includes funding through PURL for 200,000 long-range 155 mm artillery rounds, 100 Patriot missiles, and Ukrainian-made drones. Britain will also finance 150,000 additional drones, more than 350 missiles, and radars using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.