From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / June 14, 2025
As Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Heart and Russia Prepares Strategic Reserves, Ukraine Faces a Perfect Storm of Diverted Attention and Rising Oil Revenues for Moscow
Summary of the Day – June 13, 2025
The global security landscape shifted dramatically on June 13 as Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a massive preemptive strike targeting Iran’s nuclear program that killed top military commanders including the architect of Tehran’s drone supplies to Russia. The 200-aircraft assault, involving 330 munitions across 100 sites, sent oil prices soaring over 10%—a windfall that could inject desperately needed revenue into Russia’s war machine just as Moscow prepares strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine. While Ukrainian forces brought home 1,200 fallen soldiers, secured another billion euros in EU aid, and appointed a new NATO mission chief, the Middle East explosion threatens to eclipse Ukraine’s struggle for international attention at a critical moment when Western focus and resources may shift toward a new regional conflagration.
Operation Rising Lion: Israel Eliminates Iran’s Drone Architect
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s televised address at dawn marked a seismic shift in Middle East dynamics. “Operation Rising Lion” had begun—200 aircraft dropping 330 munitions on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the main enrichment facility at Natanz. The strike killed Iran’s aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the very architect of Tehran’s drone partnership with Russia that has terrorized Ukrainian cities for nearly three years.
President Trump revealed the United States knew about Israel’s plans in advance but emphasized Washington was not involved. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table,” Trump told Fox News. “There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”
Hajizadeh had been sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 specifically for overseeing Iran’s supply of Shahed-type drones to Russia. His death removes a key figure in the military-industrial pipeline that has fed Moscow’s nightly aerial assaults on Ukraine since late 2022. The commander was also known for his role in the January 2020 downing of a Ukrainian civilian aircraft, which killed all 176 people on board.
Iran’s response was swift but futile. Tehran launched over 100 drones against Israel in retaliation, all intercepted outside Israeli airspace according to military spokesperson Effie Defrin. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified the strikes represented a “unilateral action” by Israel.
“Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They are all dead now, and it will only get worse!”
Voice of Ukraine 