12 June 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Lithuania’s Interior Ministry on Thursday tightened protection at key infrastructure sites nationwide after warning that Russia could be planning provocations against targets in the Baltic states. The measures were expanded with the Public Security Service after recent drone incidents in the region, with the focus on the most vulnerable sites and faster response.

In the Mantas Sadauskas murder case, prosecutors on Friday asked Panevezys District Court to extend the detention of Justina Gaigalaite, the former spouse suspected in the killing, to three months. They made the same request for Vilius Solkanas, whom investigators view as an alleged accomplice. A third suspect remains in the case over illegal weapons possession, and the investigation covers murder, unlawful detention and weapons offences. Prosecutors had already asked on Thursday to keep three suspects in custody, while Ilja Solkanas has been released on a 5,000-euro bail.

In Vilnius today, police, firefighters and bomb disposal teams sealed off part of a central street near a bank after a suspicious object was left there and checked as a possible old explosive device. Pedestrians and customers were rerouted while specialists inspected the area. In Zarasai district on Thursday, a munition found during property clearing triggered plan Sky, with the area kept closed until army specialists confirm it is safe.

Panevezys city and district are pressing ahead with a new free economic zone of about 300 hectares because the existing Panevezys FEZ is nearly full. Local officials are targeting roughly 3 billion euros of private investment and up to 7,000 jobs, although the final layout still depends on zoning and government approval. Coalition strains also resurfaced after Laurynas Vaitiekunas criticized ties with Nemuno Ausra and Remigijus Zemaitaitis, while the transport minister separately promised a new highway on a road associated with repeated deadly crashes.

Late on Friday, about 900 ESO customers in Lithuania still had no electricity after the storm. Forecasters also warned that another stormy cyclone system is approaching the country.

sources: tv3.lt, vz.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt

Additional security measures across the country due to possible Russian actions

Lithuania’s Interior Ministry said on June 11 that Russia may be planning provocations against targets in the Baltic states and that it has stepped up protection of key critical infrastructure sites. The ministry said the measures were broadened together with the Public Security Service after a series of drone incidents in the region. Officials did not say which sites were under extra protection, but said the focus was on the most vulnerable infrastructure and faster response to possible provocations.

Why it matters

Tighter protection of critical infrastructure matters because electricity, communications, transport and water systems are the first places a sabotage attempt would try to hit. Extra guards and access controls lower the chance that a single incident disrupts services for hundreds of thousands of people.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Alarm in Zarasai district: grenade found, plan 'Sky' activated

On June 11 in Zarasai district, a munition was found while a property was being cleared, triggering the police and fire service to activate plan Sky. In such cases, army bomb disposal specialists are called in to check whether the object is still dangerous and to remove or destroy it. The area is usually reopened only after officers confirm it poses no further risk.

Why it matters

Incidents like this can halt work and restrict access to nearby land until bomb disposal teams clear the site. If the device is wartime ordnance, it can remain unstable even after decades underground.

sources:tv3.lt 15min.lt

Crime

Bizarre confrontation on a busy Vilnius street: it's unclear if a bomb left at the bank is really dangerous

On 12 June 2026, security teams in Vilnius were checking a suspicious object left near a bank, prompting a temporary cordon on part of the street. Early checks suggested it could be an old explosive device, bringing bomb disposal specialists and firefighters to the scene while pedestrians and customers were rerouted. If the device is confirmed, police will decide on any evacuation and reopen the area only after a full sweep.

Why it matters

Residents, staff and bank customers lose normal access to buildings and public transport links while the area is checked. If the object is confirmed as live ordnance, a wider closure could hit traffic in one of Vilnius’ busiest districts.

sources:tv3.lt

Crime

Unpleasant news from prosecutors for the alleged ex-spouse in Mantas Sadauskas’ murder case

On June 12, prosecutors asked Panevėžys District Court to extend the detention of Justina Gaigalaitė, the former spouse suspected in the killing of paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, to three months from the current two. They made the same request for Vilius Solkanas, whom investigators view as an alleged accomplice. A third suspect is also in the case over illegal weapons possession, and the probe covers murder, unlawful detention and weapons offences.

Why it matters

The longer detention keeps the suspects isolated while prosecutors gather more evidence and push the pre-trial case forward. It also shapes the timeline for the court fight and the pressure on Sadauskas’ family, because detention limits when defence bids for release can gain traction.

sources:delfi.lt

Crime

Prosecutors seek to extend detention for suspects in paramedic Sadauskas murder

On June 11, prosecutors in Panevėžys asked a court to keep three suspects in the Mantas Sadauskas murder case in detention, seeking three months for two of them and one month for the third. The probe covers unlawful confinement, murder and illegal possession of firearms, and one suspect, Ilja Solkanas, had already been released on a 5,000-euro bail. Judges are now weighing whether the current custody terms should stay in place for all three.

Why it matters

For Sadauskas’s family and investigators, continued custody keeps the key suspects within reach and lowers the risk that evidence or testimony could be lost. The court’s ruling will determine whether one suspect remains out on bail or all three stay locked up until the next stage of the case.

sources:15min.lt

Economy

Panevėžys FEZ is full, planning a new one — about ten times larger

Panevėžys and its district unveiled a plan on May 28 for a new regional free economic zone of about 300 hectares, with private investment targeted at roughly 3 billion euros. The move follows the near-complete fill-up of the current Panevėžys FEZ and the start of talks with the Economy and Innovation Ministry and other state bodies over the new boundaries. Officials say the project could create up to 7,000 jobs, but the final shape will depend on zoning and government approvals.

Why it matters

If it goes ahead, the zone would reset the scale of industrial expansion in the Panevėžys region, moving from individual plots to a large strategic site. Local contractors, logistics firms and engineering services would be the first to feel it, while the municipality would need to line up roads, utilities and labour supply.

sources:vz.lt

Europe

Summary

Russia launched 117 attack drones at Ukraine overnight from three directions in Russia and from occupied Crimea, and Ukraine’s air force said 102 were shot down or suppressed. Impacts were recorded at seven locations, a woman was killed in a Russian drone strike in Sumy region, and another person was killed in a separate attack in northeastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces also destroyed a Russian Black Sea Fleet reconnaissance vessel.

Ukrainian drones over the past day struck two Russian oil and petrochemical sites, and a fire broke out at one of southern Russia’s biggest fuel plants. A day earlier, drones hit the Afipsky refinery in Krasnodar region, which processes about 6.25 million tonnes of crude a year. Ukraine today again urged civilians to leave occupied territory quickly, and Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk warned residents not to rely on occupation authorities.

Donald Trump said today the United States had ended the war with Iran. Marco Rubio said talks in Qatar could still seal a ceasefire and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. Central Command said earlier it had shot down two Iranian attack drones over the strait as they headed toward shipping lanes and Gulf allies. Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Trump had promised to include nuclear restrictions in any future U.S.-Iran deal.

EU officials said today that Chinese instructors had secretly trained Russian troops at six military bases and that some later returned to fight in Ukraine. Andrius Kubilius said Europe would need far greater resources for its own defence as the United States shifts more of the burden to allies. Ukraine is already testing its first humanoid robots for military tasks, while Europe’s “drone border” idea is fading under cost, scale and technical limits.

EU member states agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the formal launch set for Monday. At the same time, Vladimir Putin threatened to intensify strikes on Ukraine as Russian pressure around Kostiantynivka increased and supply routes to the city came under threat.

sources: 15min.lt, delfi.lt, tv3.lt, vz.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt

War in Iran. Trump: 'Today we have ended the war with Iran'

On June 12, 2026, Donald Trump said the United States had ended the war with Iran, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to a deal that could still close the conflict. In recent days, Iranian officials were in Qatar pursuing a diplomatic track as Washington and Tehran worked on a ceasefire and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz. If the arrangement is sealed, it will determine whether Iran loosens its grip on the key oil shipping lane that has been rattling global energy markets.

Why it matters

Oil traders and shipping firms are waiting to see whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, since it carries a major share of global crude flows. Any deal would feed straight into fuel prices in Europe and marine insurance costs.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Iran war. US military shot down two Iranian drones

U.S. Central Command said on June 7 it shot down two Iranian attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz as they headed toward shipping lanes and Gulf allies. The move came after days of tit-for-tat strikes between Washington and Tehran, including U.S. attacks on Iranian radar sites near the waterway. The confrontation has further raised the risk to commercial traffic through a chokepoint that carries much of the world's oil and gas.

Why it matters

Shipping firms and energy traders have to price in a higher risk premium for every voyage through the Strait of Hormuz. Another incident could quickly lift oil and LNG costs in Europe, where importers are already sensitive to any disruption in Middle East supply.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Ukrainian drones strike two Russian petrochemical plants, no one sleeps

Ukrainian security services hit a Russian refinery nearly 1,200 km from the border overnight on June 12, setting off a fire at one of southern Russia’s biggest fuel plants. A day earlier, drones set Afipsky refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region ablaze after another strike on an installation that processes about 6.25 million tonnes of crude a year. The back-to-back attacks show Kyiv is widening its campaign against Russia’s fuel network and forcing Moscow to devote more manpower and money to protection and repairs.

Why it matters

Russia’s fuel supply to the military and southern regions is becoming more fragile as the strikes land deep inside Russian territory, not near the front. Each refinery outage means less gasoline, less diesel and more pressure on transport, logistics and prices.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 102 of 117 Russian drones

Overnight on June 12, Russia launched 117 attack drones at Ukraine from three directions in Russia and from occupied Crimea, and Ukraine’s air force said 102 were shot down or suppressed. Officials reported hits at seven locations, with the wave including jet-powered drones and decoys. The mix points to a Russian effort to overload air defences before follow-on missile strikes.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian cities and energy sites, the key issue is not only the number intercepted but the drones that still got through and hit seven locations. That keeps local authorities on alert for shelter use, emergency crews and backup power plans.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

EU: Chinese held secret training for Russian troops at six military bases

EU officials said on June 12 that Chinese instructors had secretly trained Russian troops at six military bases, expanding on an earlier disclosure that covered about 200 soldiers. Intelligence assessments indicate some of those troops later returned to fight in Ukraine, even as Beijing publicly says it is neutral and backs peace talks. The revelation raises fresh questions over China's role in the war and may harden EU thinking on trade and technology restrictions.

Why it matters

For Ukraine and its backers, the finding suggests Russia can draw on trained manpower from a state that says it is not taking part in the war. In European capitals, it raises the pressure to treat China not just as a trade partner but as a security risk that could shape sanctions and export controls.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Urgent warning to Ukrainians: urged to flee occupied areas

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk renewed her call on June 12, 2026, for civilians to leave Russian-occupied territory as quickly as possible. She said Moscow is tightening its control there through its own administration and document rules, and warned residents not to rely on occupation authorities for safety. Kyiv is trying to push more people out of areas where the risks are rising under occupation and near the front line.

Why it matters

Civilians who stay behind risk losing freedom of movement, Ukrainian paperwork and any realistic chance of avoiding Russian administrative pressure. The longer they remain, the harder it becomes to organize safe evacuation and reintegration into Ukrainian-controlled territory.

sources:tv3.lt delfi.lt

World

Summary

SpaceX opened trading in New York at $135 a share, quickly jumped 11% and reached a market value of about $1.96 trillion. The company raised $75 billion in the biggest IPO on record, and the surge pushed Elon Musk’s stake high enough to make him the first trillionaire.

BBC and Mediazona said today that at least 200 Russian soldiers killed in the war with Ukraine were under 18 when the full-scale invasion began in 2022. That figure sits inside a wider open-source count of more than 100,000 identified Russian war dead. In Moscow, finance officials warned Vladimir Putin that war spending has driven the federal budget deficit to an unsustainable level even as the defence ministry demands more money.

India drew attention over the past day after an unexpected claim that some purchases of Russian oil were made at Washington’s request. Iran said it would not yield control of the Strait of Hormuz, and a strike on Kuwait airport damaged radar equipment and injured people. The World Health Organization said Ebola is spreading into new regions of Congo.

In Miami, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opened with Boca Juniors and Benfica drawing 2-2 in a match that produced three red cards. Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker said today that Carlo Ancelotti has brought calm and belief before tomorrow’s opener against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Vladimir Putin said more than 700,000 Russian troops are now fighting in Ukraine. Separately, reports said it was confirmed that China funded Russian soldiers.

sources: tv3.lt, lrytas.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt, 15min.lt

World's largest IPO happened: SpaceX raised $75 billion

SpaceX priced its IPO at $135 a share in New York on June 11 and raised $75 billion, making it the biggest listing ever. The company is offering 555.56 million shares and carrying a valuation of about $1.77 trillion. Trading on Nasdaq is due to start on June 12 under the ticker SPCX.

Why it matters

A deal this large shifts capital toward space, satellite and AI bets and sets a new benchmark for private technology groups weighing a public listing. Strong demand would also reset expectations for future U.S. IPOs in the sector.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

BBC: at least 200 under-18 Russian soldiers killed in war with Ukraine

BBC and Mediazona said on June 12 that at least 200 Russian soldiers killed in the war with Ukraine were under 18 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. The tally was built from open-source obituaries, cemetery records and social-media posts, with most of the dead later serving after reaching adulthood. The figure sits within a wider open-source count of more than 100,000 identified Russian war dead, underlining how young men have been fed into the military pipeline.

Why it matters

The deaths raise hard questions about Russia’s recruitment, mobilisation and age-checking systems. In Ukraine, they point to the strain on Moscow’s manpower pool and what that could mean for the pace of fighting over the coming months.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Bloomberg: Putin cornered but devising dangerous plan

Russian finance officials have warned Vladimir Putin that war spending has pushed the federal budget deficit to an unsustainable level, while the defence ministry is pushing back and demanding more money. Bloomberg reported the warning on June 9, as European allies also weighed fresh pressure on Moscow, including possible energy-sector measures and a new diplomatic format for Ukraine. The Kremlin now faces a choice between cutting military outlays and letting the budget strain deepen as the war drags on into winter.

Why it matters

Russia’s ability to fund the war directly affects the pace of missile, drone and artillery attacks on Ukrainian cities. For European governments, it means sanctions policy has to be matched with more military support for Kyiv.

sources:tv3.lt

Economy

Elon Musk becomes the first trillionaire; SpaceX pushes into the stock market

SpaceX began trading in New York at $135 a share and quickly opened 11% higher, putting the company’s value at $1.96 trillion. The IPO sold 555.6 million shares and raised $75 billion, making it the biggest stock market debut on record. Musk’s stake in the company is now worth enough to put him above the trillion-dollar mark, while SpaceX says the cash will fund satellites, orbital data centers and long-shot Mars plans.

Why it matters

The deal will matter most to investors in aerospace and AI infrastructure, because $75 billion of fresh capital can redirect funding toward satellites, space-based data centers and related supply chains. It also gives current and former employees, plus early backers, a chance to cash out after nearly 25 years of company growth.

sources:delfi.lt

Sports

Three red cards at the World Cup opener: why they were shown and the tournament record

Boca Juniors and Benfica opened the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Miami with a 2-2 draw and three red cards. Two dismissals came after a heated first-half scrap, while a third followed late on as both sides chased a winner. The tournament mark remains four reds in one match, set at the 2022 World Cup clash between Argentina and the Netherlands.

Why it matters

Coaches now have to manage suspensions as well as results in the next round of the tournament. One flashpoint can reshape a squad and shift the balance of an entire group.

sources:tv3.lt

Sports

Brazilian goalkeeper Becker: 'Ancelotti brought calm and belief in victory'

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker praised Carlo Ancelotti on June 12, saying the Italian has brought calm to the squad and sharpened belief ahead of Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco. The comments came one day before Brazil begin their 2026 campaign at the New York New Jersey Stadium after Ancelotti named his 26-man squad on May 18. Ancelotti is Brazil's first foreign coach, and his first major test arrives immediately on June 13.

Why it matters

Brazil are entering the tournament with senior players publicly backing their coach, which can settle nerves before a high-stakes opener. The Morocco game will show whether Ancelotti's approach translates into results immediately, not just in training and dressing-room talk.

sources:tv3.lt