Ukraine Claims Destruction of Russian S-350 Missile Defense System

As Russian occupation persists in Ukraine, one-fifth of the nation remains under foreign control, leaving locals like Mavka, Pavlo, and Iryna grappling with increasing pressures. Residents in occupied cities, including Melitopol and Mariupol, face mandatory Russian citizenship to access work and healthcare, raising fears of repression for any acts of defiance, as reported by the BBC. Mavka, who has joined a secret resistance movement named Zla Mavka, shares that the group aims to uplift Ukrainian spirits through subtle acts of defiance amid rising militarization and "Russification" in her city. Meanwhile, in Mariupol, Pavlo reflects on the devastation suffered during its siege, and the persistent preoccupation with property recovery among locals. Iryna, who remains in Crimea, stresses the dangers of openly expressing Ukrainian identity due to potential repercussions from Russian authorities. Despite the oppressive atmosphere, these civilians continue to find ways to resist and maintain hope. The fear of permanent occupation looms, as locals anxiously watch developments in Kyiv, yearning for stronger support from the Ukrainian government.

A nine-year-old girl was killed in a Russian missile attack in the front-line village of Dolynka in the Zaporizhzhia region, as Russia launched 109 drones and five missiles across Ukraine overnight on Friday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The strike also wounded a 16-year-old and damaged nearby houses, vehicles, and outbuildings, reported Zaporizhzhia's governor, Ivan Fedorov. Concurrent with these attacks, Russian forces claimed to have captured two villages, Novopil in Donetsk and Vodolagy in Sumy, according to the Russian state news agency RIA. This development has prompted Ukrainian authorities in Sumy to order mandatory evacuations in eleven more settlements, totaling 213 under evacuation orders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that around 50,000 Russian troops are gathering for a potential offensive aimed at creating a buffer zone in Ukraine. Amidst these escalations, discussions for a second round of peace talks are set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, although Kyiv emphasized the need for a memorandum from Moscow outlining its position for negotiation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a three-way summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The proposal, announced on May 28, 2025, comes amid escalating tensions, with Russia reportedly amassing over 50,000 troops along the northeastern border and Ukraine executing significant drone strikes on Russian targets. Zelensky criticized Russia for not providing a promised memorandum detailing ceasefire demands and expressed his willingness to engage in any format for discussions. He urged the U.S. to implement stricter sanctions against Russia, particularly targeting its energy and banking sectors. This call for action follows ongoing military engagements that have left both nations on high alert, raising concerns about potential further escalation. The potential summit underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts to facilitate a resolution, as the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen amid the prolonged conflict.