Crimea rocked by explosions at night, NATO allies pledge billions for Ukraine

During the night into Friday, 26 June 2026, multiple explosions were heard in occupied Crimea in both Kerch and Krasnoperekopsk. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the US has abandoned its neutral mediator role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. NATO allies plan to announce billions of dollars in new defence contracts at a summit in Turkey.

During the night into Friday, 26 June 2026, multiple explosions rocked occupied Crimea. According to reports on social media channels, explosions took place in both Kerch and Krasnoperekopsk, though the extent of damage remained unclear by morning.

Attacks on Crimea and Russian regions

Local residents in Kerch reported an attack on the city, and the NASA FIRMS service registered fires near a Pantsir S-1 air defence system and an airfield. In addition to Crimea, several Russian regions came under Ukrainian drone attack during the night. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that Russian air defences shot down at least 30 drones heading towards Moscow, according to The Kyiv Independent. Last week, Ukraine attacked a Moscow oil refinery, which according to Reuters will likely not return to full production in 2026.

Macron: US is no longer a neutral mediator

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron made a statement noting that the United States has for the first time supported a document that essentially abandons the role of a neutral mediator on the Ukraine issue. "On the Ukraine question, the United States for the first time supported text which means they are no longer a neutral mediator, but stand with us for Ukraine's territorial integrity, military support, energy aid, and sanctions against Russia," Macron said. This represents a significant shift from Washington's previously ambiguous position, where Donald Trump has repeatedly presented himself as a potential peace broker.

NATO summit focuses on industrial cooperation

At a NATO summit in Turkey in July, alliance member states plan to announce new defence contracts worth billions of dollars and a significant expansion of military production capacity. According to diplomatic sources cited by Politico, European allies intend formally to reaffirm their commitment to NATO's collective defence Article 5 and to name Russia as a long-term security threat.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's principal objective is to direct the summit's focus towards defence industrial cooperation. The move is intended to help smooth internal political disagreements among allies and demonstrate to Trump and the American defence sector a business benefit, amid rapidly growing European defence spending.