Russia hit Ukraine with a large-scale attack

Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine overnight on June 6, targeting Kyiv, major cities, and even far-western regions. The assault came just a day after President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, vowed to retaliate for Ukraine’s recent drone strike on Russian air bases.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia fired 452 drones—many of them Iranian-designed Shahed models—and 45 missiles. Air defenses intercepted 199 drones and 36 missiles, while many of the remaining drones were believed to be decoys.

Explosions rocked cities across the country, including Kyiv, Lviv, Lutsk, Ternopil,Chenihiv and Khmelnytskyi. Kyiv was hit particularly hard, with multiple residential districts—including Solomianskyi and Darnytskyi—struck by drones, causing fires and widespread damage.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed at least four deaths and 27 injuries, with 16 victims hospitalized. Fires broke out at residential buildings and an industrial site, while more than 2,000 homes were left without power. Three members of the State Emergency Service have been while dealing with the aftermath of enemy strikes. They were working under fire to help people. Nine more emergency workers were injured. Some are in a serious condition, and doctors are trying to save their lives.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault, saying Russia had targeted "almost all of Ukraine" and renewed calls for global accountability: “They strike cities and villages to destroy life.”

In Chernihiv, residential buildings and infrastructure buildings were dmaged due to the Russian combined ballistic missile and drone attack. Local residents were injured.

In the western city of Ternopil—hundreds of miles from the front lines—Russian drones and cruise missiles damaged infrastructure and left parts of the city without power. Five civilians were injured.

In Lutsk, at least five people were hurt and an apartment building, commercial facilities, and a government office sustained damage. Mayor Ihor Polishchuk said Russia used 15 drones and six missiles in that attack alone.

In Khmelnytskiy, a residential building was damaged, and five people were injured.

The strike follows Ukraine’s June 1 "Operation Spiderweb," which damaged dozens of Russian bombers. While Putin has remained silent publicly, President Trump warned after speaking with him on June 4 that the Kremlin’s retaliation “was not going to be pretty.”

Despite that, analysts note that Moscow had already ramped up aerial attacks in late May, indicating that the escalation was likely planned regardless of Ukraine’s drone operation.

In Kyiv, the metro system also suffered damage, forcing service disruptions. City officials expect repairs within 24 hours.

Russia plans to occupy Ukraine east of Dnipro and cut access to the Black Sea - Ukrainian

Russia plans to occupy all Ukrainian territory east of the Dnipro River and push toward Odesa and Mykolaiv to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, Deputy Chief of Staff to President Zelensky, Pavlo Palisa, said at a briefing in Washington.

The warning comes amid intensified Russian offensives in eastern and northern Ukraine and ongoing but unproductive diplomatic talks.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) reports that Moscow aims to capture all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by fall and establish a buffer zone along the northern border. A second phase reportedly envisions deeper incursions into southern Ukraine to block maritime access.

“Unfortunately, they are not speaking about peace. They are preparing for war,” Palisa said.

On June 2, during the second round of talks in Istanbul, Russia presented a so-called "peace memorandum" demanding Ukraine recognize Russia’s claims over four occupied regions—Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk—demobilize its military, and formally abandon any NATO aspirations.

Ukraine countered with a proposal for a 30-day Western-backed ceasefire, a full prisoner exchange, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Moscow rejected the offer.

Ukrainian officials have warned of a major Russian summer offensive in Donetsk Oblast. Despite taking heavy losses, Russian troops continue advancing slowly through relentless mass assaults. As of now, Moscow controls approximately 20% of Ukraine, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Russia hit the downtown of Kherson, partially destroying the regional administration building

Russian forces launched high-explosive bombs at the center of Ukraine's southern city of Kherson on June 5, hitting and partially destroying the Regional State Administration building and damaging several surrounding structures.

The entrance to a nearby residential high-rise was also damaged, while other buildings in the area sustained broken windows and facade destruction. The regional prosecutor’s office confirmed that four guided aerial bombs struck the city center.

"Within just fifteen minutes, four Russian bombs hit this location. As a result of the strikes, the building of the Kherson Regional State Administration suffered even greater destruction — it had already been repeatedly targeted by the Russians before," Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said via his official Telegram page.

Since Ukraine liberated Kherson in November 2022, Russian forces have continued to target the city with near-daily attacks, aiming at civilian infrastructure, public transport, and residential neighborhoods using a wide array of weaponry.

In addition to the aerial bombardment, Russian troops attacked Kherson with artillery and loitering munitions. According to preliminary reports, at least five apartment buildings, one administrative structure, and an educational institution suffered damage. Local authorities have reported multiple casualties, with three people seeking medical attention following the strikes.

The morning airstrike also damaged a department building of the Kherson City Council, shattering eight office windows. Three educational institutions were hit, with nearly 200 windows blown out. No injuries among school staff have been reported, according to the Kherson City Military Administration.

Emergency workers rescued four residents after clearing the blocked entrance to a basement in one of the affected apartment buildings.