Address by the President of Ukraine to the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Netherlands

24 June 2025 – 20:37

Dear friends!

Dear members of the Dutch Parliament!

Presidents of the House and the Senate!

And all the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands!

I’m here with you today – in person – in your Parliament, first of all, to say thank you. Thank you for the fact that the Netherlands is one of the world’s biggest defenders of life and one of the largest in Europe – together with Germany, Norway and Sweden. Thank you! And we truly feel this support – and we’ve felt it since the very, very first hours of the full-scale war.

And I thank you for every decision that helps save lives in Ukraine. The air defense systems you’ve helped us with, the investments in our defense from the Netherlands – both bilateral and thanks to your support at the EU level – and your defense packages that help our soldiers hold the line – all of this is a contribution to peace.

And I thank you for helping us move toward peace – and for your honest, heartfelt support.

Now, every single day in Ukraine starts the same way with updates on the consequences of Russian strikes. And these attacks – almost all of them – cannot be explained by anything rational or humane.

Just last night, nine Russian-Iranian Shahed drones struck an ordinary Ukrainian village in the eastern part of Ukraine, in Sumy region. And seven houses were completely destroyed. Twenty-two more were badly damaged. Our rescuers pulled three children out from under the rubble. And six people were injured. Sadly, three were killed, including a child. My deepest condolences.

That attack made no military sense. But how many were shattered!

Right now, today, in Ukraine, in the city of Dnipro, people are receiving help after a Russian ballistic missile strike. 16 people have been killed, and more than 100 have been injured. Right now, today. Many homes were affected, schools were damaged, and people were hurt – even a passenger train was hit as it was simply following its route – the missile exploded right next to it.

One way or another, life itself is the main target of these attacks – each one showing the true nature of Putin’s war.

He did the same in Chechnya, did the same in Syria. And now in Ukraine. His propagandists openly threaten other nations. Both our intelligence and yours, and in Europe think that Russia is planning hostile and potentially destructive, potentially destructive operations on NATO territory.

And we must speak honestly about what kind of operations these are, and what kind of hatred they show. Putin destroys lives – and that’s how he defines control. And if he can kill people, if he can destroy homes, blackmail others – he believes he has power. To Russia, power means being able to kill or intimidate – without that, they think that they have nothing. That’s why they turn everything into a weapon – from old cultural ties of Russia or the Soviet Union, to the energy resources they export today. For decades, Russia has built networks in other countries to prepare for sabotage and destabilization. Moscow never truly respects any alliance and always betrays its so-called “partners” – but it still builds ties with bloody regimes. With the help of such “friends”, Russia is simply improving its ability to kill. That’s why solidarity in defense is so important, so that no one ever has to face them alone.

This is not just about defending Ukraine right now – it’s about much more. Russia has no right to kill our people. Russia has no right to kill anyone in European cities – which they have already done before. Russia has no right to threaten critical infrastructure in the Baltic, North Sea or the Arctic – or in any sea in the world. Russia has no right to invest in terror or destruction in any country.

And especially, Russia has no right to even threaten the transfer of nuclear weapons to any regime in the world – including the regime in Tehran or anyone else trying to back up madness with the power of nuclear explosions.

Understanding what you do have the right to begins with knowing what you don’t. That is where the borders of others’ security and freedom really begin. Of other nations, people. Many in the world have already learned this. Russia still needs to. Russia must understand that rules exist.

Putin pretends he doesn’t understand what rules shape the modern world. And here in The Hague, I want to say this very clearly – for Putin. There is a rule – do not kill. There is a rule – do not act like a beast toward people. There is a rule – do not burn down cities and villages. There is also a rule – do not justify or sponsor terror. There is a rule – do not steal children. And if you break such rules, there must be responsibility.

It may be hard for Russia to understand. But these are the very rules that form everything – from the UN Charter and international law to our shared European way of life. A life built after World War 2 – and the safest, most decent life Europe has known in centuries.

We must protect this life. And we will protect it.

 

Dear friends!

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has used 28,743 Shahed drones. In this June alone, they’ve already launched 2,736 Shaheds. Russia could never have done this without its ties to the regime in Iran. And we in Ukraine could never have shot down most of these drones without your solidarity – and the support of our partners. This fact speaks for itself.

To truly end this war and build a real lasting peace, we need to act on two main directions. First – maximum isolation of Russia.

That means political isolation, sanctions of all kinds, and cutting off any cooperation that helps them survive and keep fighting.

Every scheme that keeps them going must be shut down.

And I urge you to stay strong and principled in your pressure on Russia.

We need a strong 18th EU sanctions package. We need tough, painful sanctions on Russian oil. There are many discussions right now about different options for a price cap on Russian oil. What matters most is that the price cap actually works. And when we talk about a price cap, it’s important to remember – any drop in Russia’s oil revenue helps bring peace closer. But what really hurts them – and truly limits their ability to wage war – is a cap at 30 dollars per barrel. The world needs to reach this level. Not only to help stop Russia’s war against us, but also to prevent any future military operations Russia might launch against Europe and the Alliance. War plans must become deadly expensive for Russia.

We need to truly block their tanker fleet – and cut them off from international banking.

That is what works.

And the second direction – stability in defense support.

I urge you to back all long-term programs of support and cooperation with us, with Ukraine. Russia must see that Ukraine will not be left alone – and that Europe will not back down.

And I thank the Netherlands for the new and very important defense package, especially the support for Ukraine’s own weapons production.

And it’s vital to support the need for other European countries to raise their defense spending.

Russia is stronger than any one of us alone, but it is weaker than all of us together. That’s how Putin thinks – in terms of potential. His own potential, and the potential of those he sees as targets or rivals. And if Russia sees that Europe’s combined strength leaves it no chance for aggression – there will be no aggression. If Russia feels that we are striking back hard – painfully – then peace will become the most popular topic in Moscow. And we will get there together. Together, we will get there. Knowing how Putin thinks, knowing how Russia wages war – and acting in ways that truly limit them and make it painful for them – we will bring peace closer. Let’s get this job done.

Let this war be a warning to prevent a much, much bigger one. Russia must be forced into peace.

Thank you for standing with us.

Thank you, Netherlands.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 209
📷 Mariam Qavshbaia/Publika

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM

It was Day 209 of #GeorgiaProtests tonight.

One trend that I suppose should be noted is that almost no high-profile people who are targeted to be imprisoned leave Georgia.

The vast majority choses to be imprisoned instead if that’s what it takes

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM

Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili has been hit with new charges while in prison, says his lawyer Mamuka Chabashvili. The charges reportedly stem from a “banal case” 2 years ago. Okruashvili is currently jailed for missing the Tea Tsulukiani Commission session.

#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM

Another Georgian opposition leader got arrested. Giorgi Vashadze got sentenced for a 7 months imprisonment. Before the final decision got made he gave us this interview where he also sent a message to the democratic world and to the people of Georgia.

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— EEBC (@eebc.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM

🗣️“No more talks – it’s time to act. Anything that is possible must be done now. We are strong enough to win this battle together with you!” – Giorgi Vashadze addressed #Georgia’s Western partners before being taken into custody.

He was sentenced to 7 months in prison.

#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 24, 2025 at 5:17 AM

Thread 🧵

1/ The legislative amendments initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, which will be fast-tracked for approval on June 26, include a clause stating:

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM

2/ “Any expression of disrespect toward the status of a judge (verbally, through obscene actions, etc.), in any form and in any environment (during court hearings, in public spaces), shall entail liability as provided for by law.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM

3/ The amendments also prohibit the request for, or dissemination of, information about a first-instance court decision if that decision is under appeal and has not yet reached final judgment.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM

4/ Lawyers will still have access to such information, but will not have the right to make it public. Under the current law, acts are made public immediately upon adoption.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM

If you haven’t paid attention to #Georgia for 2-3 weeks, here is status of main opposition party leaders.

(Khoshtaria recently arrested & mistreated. Bokuchava’s husband kidnapped & threatened for 9 hours two weeks ago.)

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— Hans Gutbrod (@hansgutbrod.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 12:09 PM

An important point to remember is that most jailed democratic forces leaders in Georgia will serve far more than just 7-8 months, unless the regime changes.

Many of them already have other rounds of “investigations” going on.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM

Another high-profile resignation today. (So-called) Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Liluashvili resigns.

These are some inter-clan struggles within the regime, exacerbated by protests, sanctions, non-recognition.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM

A few months ago, Davitashvili and some others from the economic sector such as the President of the National Bank Natia Turnava pleaded to Ivanishvili and Kobakhidze that the situation was tough, and Kobakhidze assured them that he’d get things in order in a couple of months. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:13 AM

Apparently, something’s not going right for them, and this probably explains their accelerated dictatorship. 3/3.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:13 AM

Denmark:

🇩🇰🇺🇦 Today in The Hague, Ukraine and Denmark signed a Letter of Intent to start joint production of Ukrainian weapons on Danish territory.

Denmark has already allocated 500 million Danish kroner (around $76.4 million) to support this effort.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM

🇺🇦🇳🇱 The Netherlands to Produce 600,000 Drones for Ukraine Under €500 Million Deal

Dutch Defence Minister has announced the signing of contracts for the production of 600,000 drones destined for Ukraine, funded through a €500 million aid package.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 6:22 AM

/2. In addition to this massive drone production effort, the Netherlands is allocating another €175 million for critical defence support, including:

-100 drone-detection radars
-20 medical evacuation vehicles
-Additional shipments of drones

www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieu…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 6:22 AM

The UK:

🇺🇦🇬🇧Ukraine and the United Kingdom are joining forces to launch a major joint drone production initiative.

Over the first three years of the project, the UK will fund the procurement of a full range of Ukrainian-designed drones, which will be manufactured on British soil.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 6:17 AM

/2. While the war continues, all drone production will be directed exclusively to support Ukraine’s Defence Forces. After the war ends, the drones will be distributed between the UK and Ukraine based on mutual agreements. www.facebook.com/share/19FwvQ…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 6:18 AM

Holland:

The Dutch Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans, has announced a new aid package for Ukraine.
x.com/DefensieMin/…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM

NATO is drafting a statement on drones and air defense for Ukraine, Dutch PM Dick Schoof announced. He met with President Zelenskyy in The Hague, ahead of the NATO summit (June 24–25), where Zelenskyy is also set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM

The US:

Laughing face emojis from a White House account quoting Trump about him “probably” meeting with Zelensky, whose country is being bombed every day by Russia and is in need of US help, which is meant to be its biggest backer. In the past 24 hours, two massive attacks killed 25 people and injured 100s.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM

NATO:

Mark Rutte speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague. “There is total commitment by the US president and the US senior leadership to NATO. However, it comes with an expectation…that we will finally deal with…this huge irritant, which is that we are not spending enough”

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:21 AM

Rutte on whether US will pull back. Points to US decision to appoint an American SACEUR. “My message to my European colleagues is: stop worrying so much. Start to make sure that you get investment plans down…that the support for Ukraine remains at a higher level.”

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:21 AM

Rutte in full-on Trump ego massaging mode. “I want to commend President Trump for breaking the deadlock….it’s only one leader who could [do that] and that had to be the American president because he is the most powerful leader in the world, and leading… the mightiest…military”

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:22 AM

Rutte: “we [NATO] know the risks we run with Taiwan, and that if that would happen, that obviously Xi Jinping will call his junior colleague in the Kremlin and tell him, Hey, Vladimir…Can you keep them busy in Europe?”

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:25 AM

Trump has published Rutte’s msg and my gosh… I get second-hand shame just from reading this.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM

The EU:

Morning of the NATO summit: two key train lines in the Netherlands are down (Amsterdam-Schiphol; The Hague- Rotterdam) due to power cuts caused by “unidentified” fires along the tracks.

Accidents? Maybe. But we see similar “incidents” all over Europe, and no clue of scale.

nos.nl/artikel/2572…

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— Katja Bego (@katjabego.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Trump tells reporters on Air Force One he’ll “probably” meet Zelensky tomorrow at the NATO summit. People close to the Ukrainian President tell me as well that they are hoping a meeting will take place, preferably one-on-one, which is how Zelensky believes he is best able to communicate with Trump.

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM

Civilian train attacked. A family, including an 8-year-old, burned alive in their own home. Schools, kindergartens, and apartment buildings relentlessly shelled. Nearly 300 victims in a single, horrifying day.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM

This isn’t just a story, it’s a monumental human tragedy that demands to be on every front page and the primary focus of every prime-time broadcast. So, why isn’t it? What more needs to happen for the russian mass murder of Ukrainians be deemed newsworthy?

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM

1/3 🇺🇦⚡
1)Over the past week, there have been massive attacks on Kyiv, Odesa, and other Ukrainian cities. And somehow, we have stopped hearing even concern from our partners. Merz, who promised “Taurus,” failed to deliver. Macron has also fallen silent. The UN is somewhere looking for a happy medium.

— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM

2) What happened? You don’t even show concerned faces? Where is your unity, Europe? It has long been obvious to me: all these “great friends” talk a good game, but as soon as the time comes to make a decision and take a position, they instantly wash their hands of it.

— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM

3) As far as I’m concerned, the only thing we can really do to help ourselves is to stop listening to promises and trust ourselves and those who are close by. Don’t fight each other and don’t despair.
Things have been worse. We will prevail! Hugs to everyone.

— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM

Last year, on the eve of the NATO summit, russia bombed Okhmatdyt children’s hospital.
This year, it severely bombed Dnipro: 9 killed. 153 injured.
russia won’t stop until it’s stopped.
Europe’s security is not decided at summits. It’s decided on the frontlines of this war.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM

Large numbers of Ukrainian drones heading for SW Russia and Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimea. Others headed deep into the east of “European” Russia. Map from t.me/dronbomber.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM

Today, throughout the day, Russian airspace is being harassed by the “Chaklun-V” drone operated by Ukrainian special services and the SBS.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM

A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 shoots down a Russian/Iranian Shahed attack drone with an AIM-9 air-to-air missile.

More Shaheds already on their way to Ukraine from fascist Russia tonight – launches reported from Russia’s Bryansk and Rostov oblasts.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM

Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter intercepts Russian Shahed over Ukraine. t.me/YT29JTacRome…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM

Kharkiv:

Last night, russia yet again unleashed its terror on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, hitting it with seven Shahed drones. Three civilians were wounded, including a child.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM

Kharkiv’s Nemyshlyanskyi and Saltivskyi districts suffered damage from a night-time drone attack, with 23 private homes and six apartment buildings affected, the city council announced. Power lines were also downed.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM

💥 In the Kharkiv region, fighters from the Phoenix State Border Guard Service unit destroyed four motorcycles, two infantry fighting vehicles, a car, an MT-12 cannon, a Mavic UAV, and eliminated about ten occupiers.
Our warriors did a masterful job! 💙💪

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM

Sumy Oblast:

A village in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast lived through a nightmare as russia launched a massive drone attack — setting a street on fire and destroying 30 homes. Three people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed. Six others were injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 3:25 AM

Russian attack murdered an 8-year-old boy in Sumy Region.

The attack left 3 dead and 15 wounded. Roughly 15 buildings across 6 private landholdings were simultaneously engulfed in flames

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM

Dnipro:

Russia just attacked Dnipro with ballistic missiles! The terror continues.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:29 AM

🔴 A kindergarten in Dnipro was damaged as a result of a Russian attack.

Preliminarily, at least one person was killed in the city.

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) June 24, 2025 at 5:47 AM

WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY!! WARNING!! WARNING!!

Reportedly, one of the russian missiles hit the train while it was standing at the station in Dnipro

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:52 AM

UPD: A missile struck close to the train

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 4:57 AM

Damage to Dnipro-Odesa train, passengers evacuating. Reports that schools, kindergartens, and a hospital were amongst the buildings damaged in a Russian attack with four Iskander ballistic missiles. One person known to have been killed.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM

More from the site of the missile strike near the train, evacuated passengers:

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM

The number of casualties from the Russian attack in Dnipro has risen to 17 deaths and 279 injured, according to Lysak, the head of the Oblast Military Administration.

Among the injured are 27 children.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM

ALL CLEAR!!!!

The left bank of the Dnipro, Kherson Oblast:

The left bank of Kherson region. An airstrike on Russian forces was carried out by pilots of the 34th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Bayraktar!

Bayraktar corrects and strikes Russian infantry on boats somewhere in the Black Sea

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 2:35 AM

Nothing quite like the classics!

Your daily Patron!

I’m saving the new Patron video for tomorrow night.

Here is some adjacent material.

Fluffy fella saved from under the rubble in Kyiv. Hope he recovers!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM

Odesa cat as a jewelry of our city 💙😻

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM

Open thread!

Georgia:

For 100 days straight, students in Tbilisi, Georgia have kept a 24/7 protest going in front of Parliament. Thank you for your resilience. ❤️🇬🇪✊

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM

Day 208 of uninterrupted #GeorgiaProtests

There is no chance that we lose this. None whatsoever. It might get painfully protracted, but we will win this.

And aid from our friends and partners can help us greatly to avoid costs that can be avoided.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM

🚨 Poet Zviad Ratiani was detained on June 23 at the #GeorgiaProtests.

⭕️ Police confirmed criminal charges.

💢 His lawyer didn’t know his whereabouts for 2 hours.

❌ He’s accused under Article 353¹ – attacking a police officer – which carries 4 to 7 years in prison.

#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM

I’m really worried for poet Zviad Ratiani, who’s been physically targeted by the regime multiple times before. Now they detained him and they claim he “hit a policeman,” the regime’s new favourite default for prosecuting someone under the Criminal Code.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM

🚨 Breaking 🚨

1/ Under Georgian Dream’s new draft law, which is being reviewed through an expedited procedure, media coverage of court hearings would become virtually impossible.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM

2/ The proposed changes would restrict filming even in courtyards and hallways. The right to record proceedings would be granted solely to the court or a person authorised by the court.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM

3/ Additionally, the court would have the authority to confiscate personal items — including mobile phones, computers, and photo, film, video, or audio equipment — from anyone entering the courthouse.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM

🚨GD is fast-tracking a bill banning media from filming or recording in court buildings and yards. Only the Public Broadcaster will be allowed to record hearings. The law also allows confiscation of personal devices like phones. Expected to pass this week.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM

🚨 Georgian Dream is fast-tracking changes to the “Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression”. The amendments shift the burden of proof in defamation cases onto the defendant and scrap protections that favored free speech in cases of doubt.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests
#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM

The following politicians are currently detained by the GD:

Zurab Japaridze;

Nika Melia;

Nika Gvaramia;

Mamuka Khazaradze;

Badri Japaridze;

Irakli Okruashvili.

#TerrorinGeorgia

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM

Another leader of Lelo party, Badri Japaridze, was also sentenced to 8 months in prison. Both of Mamuka Khazadarde and Badri Japaridze are in their offices, waiting for the police to arrest them.

#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM

The next few weeks and months after the jailing of democratic leaders will be a sweeping crackdown on the democratic forces by the Georgian Dream regime, and the West will be having a summer break.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM

🔴 Judge Zviad Sharadze sentenced another opposition leader Badri Japaridze to 8 months in prison for refusing to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission.”

Today, Irakli Kobakhidze said: “They don’t recognize (the GD parliament), and they will go to prison.”
#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM

The jailings of Zurab Girchi Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze for 7 and 8 months, respectively, underlines that the regime in Georgia is no longer interested in keeping any democratic or even competitive façade. 1/

📷 Guram Muradov / Civil. ge

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

They are all in and aim for a total crackdown, because why not? If it works for them, it saves them, and if it doesn’t, then they are losing everything anyway so why not try your best while you can, right? It IS a zero-sum game and pretending otherwise gives the adversary an edge. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

In this light, the debate on local elections is simply ridiculous. (Plus, the regime isn’t even inviting OSCE/ODIHR and in general there won’t be any observation allowed, essentially). 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

This does not necessarily mean that they are in a confident position. If they could afford window-dressing, they would. Apparently, they can no longer afford anything but seeming uncompromisingly tough until the minute they fall. 4/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

Today is an opportunity for democratic forces and the society to finally stop discussing what tactical measures are the best and to fully dive into complete non-cooperation with the regime, diversifying the protest, and working with our foreign partners. 5/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

If we don’t accept defeat prematurely and push through the obstacles with unyielding truth and stamina, we shall prevail! ✊🏻🇬🇪

We need more targeted sanctions against regime representatives and aid to CSOs, among others. 6/6.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM

1/6
🟥 On June 23, journalist and founding CEO of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli, was once again denied release from pretrial detention.

Judge Nino Sakhelashvili cited a ‘high risk of reoffending’ as the justification for the continued detention.

www.freemzia.com
#FreeMzia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

2/6
The court disregarded medical evidence presented by Amaglobeli’s legal team, which showed that her vision had significantly deteriorated during her time in custody.

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

3/6
Medical examinations conducted in Feb 4 & 6, 2025, at “Vivamedi” during her hunger strike revealed a sharp decline: vision in her right eye had dropped from 30% to 10% (could be corrected to 40% vision with glasses), while her left eye retained only about 4% vision, limited to light perception.

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

4/6
Amaglobeli had previously been diagnosed with keratoconus in her left eye, for which she underwent surgery to implant intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS), leaving her with minimal vision in that eye.

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

5/6
Prior to her detention, her right eye was still functional and could be corrected to 90% vision with glasses. However, two separate reports from Vivamedi in February confirmed that the condition had progressed to the right eye as well – advancing keratoconus in both eyes to stage 3.

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

6/6
The rate of vision loss, as documented by two check-ups from the prison’s contracted clinic, is described as severe and rapid.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#TerrorInGeorgia
#FreeMzia

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM

Hungary and Slovakia:

“Hungary and Slovakia have blocked the adoption of the 18th sanctions package against Russia.” — Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

Just two old roosters.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 7:42 AM

New Zealand:

New Zealand will provide Ukraine with a new aid package totaling NZ$ 16 million (approximately $ 9.4 million USD).

The package will include both military and humanitarian assistance.

www.beehive.govt.nz

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:57 AM

The UK:

In the video, an English grandmother sells ice cream and donates the proceeds to funds helping Ukrainians. This small gesture means more than tons of diplomatic statements 🇬🇧🇺🇦

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Death toll from Russia’s missile and drone attack overnight is now at least 6 people in Kyiv and one south of the capital in Bila Tserkva, says President Zelensky. He’s visiting London today to discuss Ukraine’s defense, “which must become the foundation of a much stronger collective security.”

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 23, 2025 at 3:38 AM

Monsters.
united24media.com/latest-news/…

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM

From United24 Media:

Russian forces have been using a new strike tactic against Ukraine for several months now—a so-called “delayed attack” strategy that poses greater risks to civilians, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported in a comment for Channel 24 on June 23.

According to Klymenko, Russian troops are conducting combined attacks: they first launch drones in the evening, forcing people into shelters, then wait several hours before firing missiles closer to dawn—when people have returned home, believing the danger has passed.

“The occupiers use this tactic of delay: drones come first in the evening, and then, hours later—often by morning—missiles follow,” Klymenko told Channel 24.

Typically, the initial drones are sent at night. Once the air raid alerts end, residents leave shelters and go back to their homes, unaware that missiles are likely to arrive just before sunrise.

Klymenko cited last night’s attack in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, as an example. During the evacuation of patients from a medical facility, two rescuers were injured and a woman being carried to safety was killed.

This marks the second incident in which State Emergency Service workers have been harmed during an evacuation under this tactic.

Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region on June 23, killing at least nine people and wounding 31 in one of the deadliest strikes on the capital in recent months.

According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the assault hit several residential neighborhoods with a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles along with explosive drones.

This is a perverse variation on the double tap strike the Russians have been using to target Ukrainian first responders and emergency services.

And that’s not the only Russian innovation

Russians have started adding a viscous liquid to Shaheds that burns even when mixed with sand.

Additionally, the Shaheds have been spotted with a Chinese protected 8-channel GPS antenna designed to resist Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM

There have already been at least 36 published videos of interceptions of Russian Gerbera drones in June 2025. Also, a reminder that during the entire war before this there were only 15 videos of interceptions of this type of Russian drones.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that Russia is returning the bodies of fallen Ukrainians in a mutilated and decomposed condition, violating proper body preservation protocols.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM

The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine reveals new details about the operation “Spiderweb”.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:22 AM

Two Ukrainian security colonels tasked with protecting Zelensky were secretly working for Russia’s FSB and plotting his assassination.

www.kyivpost.com/post/55020

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— Kyiv Post (@kyivpost.com) June 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM

From The Kyiv Post:

Two colonels from Ukraine’s State Guard Department (UDO), whose duty was to protect the country’s top officials, were working for Russia’s FSB and plotting to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in a conversation with journalists, Kyiv Post reports.

“Last year, we carried out a major operation. One of those detained was the head of a department within UDO — someone whose role is to protect this country’s leadership. Alongside him, another colonel was arrested. Both were working for Russia’s FSB, specifically its Fifth Service,” Malyuk said.

According to the SBU chief, the plan was to identify and recruit individuals to assassinate Zelensky at the President’s Office in Kyiv.

“This was an extremely complex operation on our part. We worked on it for nearly two years, essentially from the beginning of the full-scale invasion. We managed to infiltrate the group using a powerful agent-technical operation,” Malyuk said.

He also recalled another attempted assassination, this time in Poland. According to Malyuk, it involved a retired Polish military officer who had been recruited decades ago by the Soviet Union and was recently reactivated as a “sleeper agent” to eliminate Zelensky during his stay at Rzeszów Airport.

“The task was to physically eliminate President Zelensky at Rzeszów Airport. Several options were considered, including an FPV drone and a sniper rifle,” he said.

Maliuk added that Russian intelligence services had also been gathering and transmitting information, and were preparing assassination attempts against the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, as well as against Malyuk himself.

Earlier, the SBU officially reported the arrest of the two UDO colonels, who were part of a spy network run by the FSB’s Fifth Service and were plotting to kill the president.

Kyiv:

Another sleepless night, as Russia once again launched a massive air attack on multiple Ukrainian cities. Here in Kyiv, at least 6 people were killed in an apartment building. Explosions from ballistic missiles and drones rocked the city for hours on end, forcing many people into bomb shelters.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 23, 2025 at 1:46 AM

🤯 Bullet flew into the bed of Kyiv resident in the Solomensky district.

❗️During the work of mobile fire teams against the “Shaheds”, you cannot stand near the windows. A machine gun bullet flies for many kilometers and is very dangerous.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM

A soldier who had only recently returned from the front may be trapped under the rubble of a destroyed building in Kyiv.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:18 AM

In reality, in Kyiv fascist Russia hit a residential building near a park and right next to a private hospital (which, knowing the Kremlin, might well have been the intended target) as it continues its relentless terror bombing campaign against civilians in cities across Ukraine.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:35 AM

Monitoring channels strongly warn: don’t touch unknown objects — russia attacked Kyiv with cluster munitions.

Cluster munitions.
On a city of 4M people.
Let that sink in.

Don’t talk about “both sides.”
Don’t ask Ukraine to give up.

Peace comes only when russia is defeated.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Reuters has released footage of the massive nighttime attack on Kyiv.

At this time, 9 people are confirmed dead and over 30 injured.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM

Odesa:

🙏🇺🇦 A lyceum in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa region. Hit by a Russian ballistic missile. Fortunately, the children were on vacation and were not at the facility. However, the lyceum staff were there. Two people were killed and at least 12 were injured.
The rescue operation is ongoing.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on an educational institution in the Odesa region; people may be trapped under the rubble.

The institution has been destroyed.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight.

Here is some adjacent material.

Ukrainian Soldiers and their very Serious Rescue Cats!
Humor tells you everything about people. 🇨🇦♥️🇺🇦🕊️🐾🌻

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— CougarMojo (@cougarmojo.bsky.social) June 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM

🐾KITTEN FOOD APPEAL UPDATE 🐈

we have purchased some more Canned Cat food to feed the shelter cats

Friends thank you so much for supporting the shelter and supporting the Ukrainian animals

The shelter and the shelter kittens are grateful for your support

Please continue supporting us

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— STRAYS OF UKRAINE ANIMAL SANCTUARY (@straysofukraine11.bsky.social) June 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM

Open thread!