The situation 1559 – June 28, 2026

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin used his speech to the ruling United Russia Party Congress on June 28 to project Russia’s strength, reinforce his resolve to achieve Russia’s objectives militarily, and reject diplomatic solutions to end his war in Ukraine.
2. Putin vaguely acknowledged the effects that Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign is having on Russia but attempted to dismiss concerns and promote a facade of stability.
3. The United Russia Party formally claimed to be Putin’s party for the first time since 2007.
4. United Russia’s top five State Duma candidates for the September 2026 State Duma elections are mostly long-standing Putin loyalists.
5. Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure on the night of June 27 to 28. Russian forces launched two Zirkon/Onyx anti-ship missiles, six Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, and 142 drones against Ukraine overnight.
6. Russian forces recently advanced in the Kupyansk direction.  

The full update of the Russian offensive 1559 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR.