ACTUAL NEWS Briefing: June 2nd 2025

Olga Nesterova
2 days ago
11 min read

QUICK HITS

A Ukrainian Attack for the History Books

Before Ukraine's record-breaking strike, Russia launched an unprecedented 472 drones at Ukrainian territory—its largest UAV attack to date. That barrage followed a deadly Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training base that killed at least 12 soldiers.

The next day, Ukraine made history.

Using an inventive strategy, Ukraine deployed wooden mobile cabins with hidden FPV drones inside. These cabins were transported into Russia by truck. On signal, the roofs opened remotely—releasing dozens of drones that struck strategic bomber aircraft.

Result: Russia can no longer manufacture these bombers. The loss is enormous—and unprecedented.

Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service is now conducting a major special operation deep inside Russia, targeting key bomber airfields. More than 40 Russian aircraft have been attacked, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and A-50 models. Estimated losses exceed $7 billion, according to SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk.

Confirmed airbases targeted:

Belaya: 7 Tu-160, 6 Tu-95MS, 2 Il-78M, 6 An-26, 2 An-12, 39 Tu-22M3, 30 MiG-31
Olenya: 11 Tu-95MS, 5 An-12, 40 Tu-22M3
Dyagilevo, Ivanovo, and Irkutsk also reportedly struck

Russian Air Forces confirmed the attacks. Following the operation, drone containers self-destructed. Russian personnel who approached the debris did not return.

WSJ reports: Russia may no longer be able to deploy Tu-95 or Tu-22 bombers.

In response, Dmitry Medvedev posted a string of new threats.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at Russia’s request. Rubio reiterated President Trump’s call for direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Istanbul Talks Begin ..and End

The next day, Russian officials arrived in Istanbul to present their version of a "peace memorandum"—with demands including:

Ukrainian military withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia (including Donbas and "Novorossiya") within 30 days of a ceasefire.
International recognition of Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya as Russian territory.
Ukraine must adopt neutrality (no military alliances such as NATO).
National elections to be held in Ukraine, followed by the signing of a peace treaty.
Ukrainian troop movements prohibited, except for withdrawal purposes.
No nuclear weapons permitted on Ukrainian territory.
No Western military aid or intelligence support to Ukraine.
Both sides to waive mutual claims for war-related damages.

The proposal also includes lifting all sanctions and guarantees that no new sanctions will be imposed. It calls for the establishment of Russian language and culture as “official,” the end of martial law in Ukraine, and verification of all terms by a UN resolution.

In addition, Russia also offered to return 10 out of more than 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children by July 10, per Axios, citing Ukrainian sources.

Ukraine, in turn, handed over a formal memorandum in both Ukrainian and English, alongside a list of the abducted children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit in Vilnius, called on Russia to begin with a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and the return of abducted children. If Russia blocks this, he said, the EU must pass its 18th sanctions package, and the U.S. should follow through on Trump’s promised sanctions.

Trump’s Tariff Move Sparks Global Backlash

President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that the U.S. would double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% starting June 4.

Global reaction was swift:

Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney had recently met with Trump to discuss existing tariffs. The head of Canada's Steel Producers Association called the increase “catastrophic.” Minister Dominic LeBlanc vowed Canada would protect its economy, with a national meeting scheduled in Saskatoon.
United Kingdom: A newly signed zero-tariff trade deal is now in question.
European Union: Called the move “regrettable” and promised retaliatory measures.

Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder advised not to “take the bait,” calling the tariff shift “moving goalposts.”

Markets & Leadership

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned of an impending U.S. bond market crisis, citing overstimulation and tight regulation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the concern, noting Dimon's past failed predictions.

Poland Elects a Trump-Aligned President

Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Poland’s presidential runoff with 50.89% of the vote, defeating liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. A conservative backed by Trump, Nawrocki represents a shift toward nationalism and populism.

While largely ceremonial, the Polish presidency holds veto power. Nawrocki’s leadership could challenge Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s progressive reforms.

A former boxer and historian, Nawrocki is known for dismantling Soviet-era monuments and championing traditional values. His presidency begins on August 6.

Aid Flotilla Challenges Gaza Blockade

An international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza—including Greta Thunberg, Liam Cunningham, and EU member Rima Hassan—set sail from Catania, Italy.

Despite Israel’s partial easing of the blockade, activists say the aid situation remains dire. Israeli forces have previously stopped similar efforts. The UN warns of famine in Gaza as access to aid remains severely restricted.

U.S.–China Tensions Escalate

Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to speak soon to resolve trade tensions, particularly over critical minerals.
China condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for calling Beijing a threat and rejected Trump’s accusations of violating the Geneva trade agreement.
China vowed “forceful measures” to protect its trade and other interests.

Sunday Shows Recap

Elon Musk deflected questions on immigration policy and tariffs: “I don’t wanna take responsibility for everything this administration’s doing.”

JD Vance, responding to Bret Baier on economic decline: “This is Joe Biden’s economy.”

TODAY IN HISTORY

455 – The Vandals, led by King Genseric, sacked Rome after breaking a peace treaty with Emperor Petronius Maximus.

1098 – The First Crusade: Crusaders captured the city of Antioch after an eight-month siege.

1692 – Bridget Bishop became the first person to be tried and convicted in the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts.

1835 – P. T. Barnum launched his first major hoax by exhibiting Joyce Heth, claiming she was the 161-year-old former nurse of George Washington.

1896 – Guglielmo Marconi applied for the first patent for his wireless telegraphy system (radio).

1953 – Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, marking the first British coronation to be televised.

1966 – The U.S. lunar probe Surveyor 1 successfully landed on the Moon, achieving the first soft landing by the United States.

1979 – Pope John Paul II arrived in his native Poland, becoming the first pope to visit a Communist country.

2012 – Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the killing of protesters during the Arab Spring uprising.

QUICK ACTUAL NEWS

NATIONAL

A man used a makeshift flamethrower to attack demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, injuring eight people, including two who remain in serious condition. The victims had gathered to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was arrested, and the FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking on Fox News Sunday, downplayed the impact of legal uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs on trade negotiations with the European Union. This follows a Reuters report quoting an EU official who suggested the legal challenges gave the EU extra leverage.

Following backlash from a sheriffs’ association, the Department of Homeland Security has removed from its website a list of states, cities, and counties labeled as “sanctuary” jurisdictions. The association argued that labeling non-compliant sheriffs could harm relationships between law enforcement and the Trump administration.

The New York Times reports that Kamala Harris is considering a run for governor of California.

Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA has been withdrawn, despite his notable contributions to spaceflight. The move comes amid scrutiny over political donations to Democrats and Elon Musk’s reported departure from his advisory role in Washington. A White House spokesperson said the next NASA leader must align with President Trump’s “America First” agenda. Several NASA staffers expressed disappointment, calling the withdrawal a setback.

The Trump administration has asked a U.S. appeals court to pause a second ruling that found the president had exceeded his authority in imposing broad tariffs. Officials argue the decision could jeopardize ongoing trade negotiations.

According to a draft letter seen by Reuters, the administration is asking trade partners to submit their best offers by Wednesday as it attempts to speed up trade talks with several countries, aiming to finalize agreements within five weeks.

The head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement defended the agency’s decision to arrest a Massachusetts high school student on his way to volleyball practice, stating, “He’s in this country illegally and we’re not going to walk away from anybody.”

President Trump’s administration has also proposed rolling back Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, the largest undisturbed public land in the U.S.

In another move related to downsizing the federal government, the White House asked the Supreme Court to block a judicial order that prevents mass job cuts and agency restructuring.

Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney in Manhattan and a former SEC chairman appointed by Trump, announced on Monday that former terrorism prosecutor Sean Buckley will serve as his deputy. Clayton now leads the influential Southern District of New York, known for handling major financial and corruption cases.

Prices of steel and aluminum spiked in the U.S. on Monday after Trump announced he would double tariffs on imported metals to 50%. Shares of international steel producers dropped sharply in response.

The Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear two major challenges: one by Alpine Securities questioning the constitutionality of FINRA’s enforcement powers, and another challenging state bans on assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines. By declining to hear the cases, the justices left lower court rulings intact.

DEFENSE

The Secretary of Defense has approved the deployment of qualified DoD civilian employees to assist the Department of Homeland Security with border security and immigration enforcement. These temporary assignments aim to bolster ongoing operations and "accelerate progress made by military personnel in safeguarding national security".
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.

GPS III Space Vehicle-08 launched successfully from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on May 30.
Meanwhile, U.S. Africa Command has intensified airstrikes in Somalia to pressure militant groups, according to AFRICOM leadership. In the Pacific, the Air Force’s REFORPAC—the largest multi-combatant command exercise in the region—is slated to begin July 10 and continue through early August. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is also set to incorporate AI-powered decision tools in upcoming tabletop exercises, marking a significant shift in strategic planning.
On the home front, Navy Secretary John Phelan expressed alarm after visiting substandard Air Force barracks in Guam, prompting a Navy-wide inspection of more than 100,000 barracks units.
Simultaneously, the Air Force is pursuing the privatization of its global lodging operations, potentially leasing base hotels to a private chain under a 50-year agreement.

Veterans’ issues remain in focus: a federal watchdog revealed that a Department of Veterans Affairs system glitch led to some veterans receiving underpaid monthly disability benefits.

In Wyoming, Vietnam War-era veterans were honored with an all-expenses-paid “Voyage of Valor” trip, sponsored by Wish of a Lifetime and AARP.

Finally, in orbit, Russia’s Cosmos satellite has raised alarms at U.S. Space Command due to its proximity to a classified U.S. satellite. Officials suspect it may be an anti-satellite weapon, despite Moscow’s claims that it is merely conducting "neighborhood watch" activities in space.

GLOBAL

Wall Street stocks fell on Monday, tracking global markets lower as trade tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated. Investor caution also grew ahead of key U.S. employment data and a widely anticipated interest rate cut by the European Central Bank.
On June 2, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took part in the Vilnius Summit with B9 and Nordic countries, hosted by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
U.S. Senators warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling at peace talks while preparing a new military offensive in Ukraine. They emphasized that the next two weeks could prove critical in shaping the course of a war that has already devastated cities, displaced millions, and altered Europe’s security landscape.
The United States has submitted a new nuclear proposal to Iran, urging it to halt uranium enrichment and join a multinational consortium — including the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations — to develop nuclear energy. The proposal came shortly after a UN watchdog reported a significant increase in Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
The U.S. has also criticized Hamas for delaying ceasefire negotiations, accusing the group of demanding stronger guarantees for a permanent end to the conflict. Meanwhile, Israel announced it had killed top Hamas commander Muhammad Sinwar in an airstrike. Jordan reported that Israel had blocked Arab foreign ministers from visiting the West Bank to meet with Palestinian leaders.
The Red Cross reported that more than 20 Palestinians were killed by gunfire and shrapnel near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza. Witnesses claimed Israeli military fire was responsible, though the IDF denied firing on civilians, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation disputed that any injuries occurred at the site.
In another geopolitical development, a New York Times investigation revealed that North Korea is providing military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine. In exchange, Russia is assisting North Korea in upgrading its military capabilities.
In Canada, wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have triggered mass evacuations. The resulting smoke has drifted into the U.S. upper Midwest, affecting air quality in several states.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Australia to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP during a meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, according to a Pentagon statement.
Russia has accepted a Taliban-appointed ambassador, the Afghan foreign ministry confirmed Sunday. This move, following Russia’s removal of the Taliban from its terrorist list in April, marks a significant diplomatic shift — with Russia joining China and others in recognizing Taliban diplomats at the ambassadorial level.
OPEC+ announced on Saturday that it will raise oil production in July by roughly 400,000 barrels per day — part of a series of monthly hikes since April. This marks a shift away from previous supply cuts aimed at stabilizing prices. Some member states, including Russia, reportedly advocated for a pause, while others sought to regain market share. President Donald Trump has publicly called on OPEC to lower oil prices.
In Mexico, turnout for the country’s first-ever judicial election was just 13%, a steep drop from the 60% participation seen in last year’s presidential election. Critics argue the government’s judicial overhaul benefits candidates aligned with the ruling Morena party. The election was further complicated by restrictive campaigning rules and ballots featuring dozens — or even hundreds — of candidates.
A Guardian analysis found that only Austria and Slovenia among 30 European countries have formal plans to reduce their military greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. While some nations have measured their militaries’ carbon footprints, most have not. In contrast, the United States set a 2050 net-zero target for military procurement in 2022.

ICYMI

Stanley Fischer, Former Fed Vice Chair and Economic Theorist, Dies at 81

Stanley Fischer, a towering figure in global economic policy who helped shape modern monetary theory, has died at the age of 81. His career included serving as Vice Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve and Governor of the Bank of Israel. Fischer was widely respected for his academic contributions and pragmatic leadership across institutions like the IMF and MIT, where he taught generations of economists.

Solo Travelers Paying More on Major U.S. Airlines, Report Finds

A recent report by Thrifty Traveler reveals that solo passengers often pay significantly more than group travelers on major U.S. airlines such as American, United, and Delta. One example shows a solo fare from Chicago to Peoria at $269, compared to $181 per person for a group booking. Following the report, Delta and United have adjusted their pricing practices, but American Airlines continues to apply higher fares to individual travelers.

COMING UP

India: Parliamentary delegations continue official visits to Brazil and the United Kingdom today.
Belarus-China: President Aleksander Lukashenko begins a visit to China.
France-Italy: French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Italy tomorrow.
South Korea: Voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect their next president, with the country deeply polarized after months of political unrest.
NATO: On Wednesday, June 4, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will hold a press briefing ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers Meeting, taking place on June 5 in Brussels.
Hajj: Muslim pilgrims will begin the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, starting Wednesday.
Germany-U.S.: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit the White House on Thursday.
U.S. Economy: With earnings season complete, investors are closely watching the May U.S. jobs report, expected Friday.
D-Day Anniversary: Friday, June 6, marks 81 years since D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II.

ANNOUNCEMENT

ONEST Network has been officially accredited to cover the G7 Summit in Canada — with founder Olga Nesterova heading to Kananaskis to provide exclusive coverage from June 15-17, 2025.

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That's all for now. Thank you for reading. The next News Briefing will arrive on Wednesday.