Ukraine Strikes Russian Gas Plant and Satellite Centers; Zelensky Orders Preemptive Actions
Ukrainian forces targeted energy and communications infrastructure deep in Russia, as President Zelensky announced a policy of preemptive strikes against facilities supporting Russia's war effort.
The day on the war
Ukrainian forces conducted significant long-range strikes against Russian territory overnight on June 23-24, hitting a major natural gas processing plant in Orenburg Oblast and two key satellite communications centers. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed these attacks, which are part of an intensifying aerial campaign targeting Russian energy facilities and military industries.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on June 24 that he has instructed intelligence services and the military to act preemptively against facilities Russia uses to expand its war effort. Zelensky emphasized that these operations, including those in Crimea, are "clearly calculated" and aim to make the occupation increasingly costly for Russia. Moscow, in turn, has reportedly ordered the redeployment of some air defense systems from other Russian regions to protect the capital and the Kerch Bridge in Crimea.
Along the front
Pokrovsk direction
Development: Ukrainian forces repelled 32 Russian assaults on June 24. A Ukrainian battalion spokesperson noted increased KAB glide bomb strikes and slower Russian advances compared to Winter 2026.
Source: UA General Staff / ISW
Kupiansk direction
Development: Russian forces attacked twice towards Novoosynove and near Zapadne on June 24. A Ukrainian commander reported changes in Russian tactics due to heavy losses.
Source: UA General Staff / ISW
Kostyantynivka direction
Development: Ukrainian forces repelled 19 Russian attacks on June 24.
Source: UA General Staff
Oleksandrivka direction
Development: Russian forces marginally advanced, while Ukrainian forces advanced or maintained positions in the area.
Source: ISW
Strikes & the grid
| Location | What | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Nizhny Novgorod region, Russia | Ukrainian drone strike | 2 killed, 2 wounded (Russian officials claim) |
| Belgorod region, Russia | Ukrainian drone strike | 1 killed (Russian officials claim) |
| Across Ukraine | Russian forces launched 101 drones overnight (June 23-24) | Ukrainian Air Force reported 95 downed or jammed |
| Kharkiv Oblast (Balakliia) and Sumy, Ukraine | Russian drone strike and guided aerial bomb | 1 killed in Balakliia, 1 killed in Sumy |
| Kherson region, Ukraine | Russian attack | 2 staff members of Norwegian People's Aid killed, 4 injured |
| Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk regions, Ukraine | Russian drone strikes targeting Naftogaz energy infrastructure (gas stations, production facilities) | Significant damage to gas extraction/storage facilities, Ukrnafta gas stations forced to shut down, 1 female employee severely injured |
Diplomacy & talks
Russia–Ukraine negotiations. The Kremlin stated on June 24 that no agreements have been reached on continuing negotiations with Ukraine. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev reiterated Russia's unwillingness to engage in direct dialogue with Ukraine on June 24.
Russia–US talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on June 24 that Russia is ready to listen to US negotiators during their next visit but will not accept freezing the current frontline.
Aid & sanctions
United States (Senators)
Measure: Proposed legislation (SABER Act)
Detail: Bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill on June 18 to allow frozen Russian assets under US control (estimated $5-7 billion) to be used for purchasing military equipment for Ukraine.
European Union
Measure: Macro-financial assistance tranche
Detail: The first tranche of a €90 billion loan, planned for June 25, will provide €3.2 billion in budget support, but €5.9 billion initially earmarked for drone production has been excluded due to technical issues.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- The Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Poland, is scheduled for June 25-26.
- The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, is set to take place on July 7-8.
- A mandatory evacuation for communities and settlements in Ukraine's Chernihiv region bordering Belarus is ordered to begin July 1.
- The first disbursement to Ukraine from the EU's €90 billion loan is expected before the end of June 2026.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.