Hostilities intensified over the weekend, with Russia's Defense Ministry stating it repelled a large-scale Ukrainian offensive near the eastern region of Donetsk that Russia illegally annexed last year. Kyiv meanwhile said it has destroyed a Russian position near the long-embattled Bakhmut, a strategically and symbolically significant Ukrainian city.
On Russian soil, the governor of Belgorod on the border with Ukraine said an energy facility caught fire following a drone attack. On Sunday, pro-Ukraine Russian paramilitary forces had offered Russian captive prisoners in exchange for a meeting with the Belgorod leader — which reportedly did not take place.
On the diplomatic front, Turkey, Finland and Sweden will meet June 12 to discuss Stockholm's bid to join the NATO alliance, whose progress has been stalled by Ankara's security concerns.