On 17 June, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that its defense forces neutralized 428 out of 472 Russian airborne threats launched during a large-scale night assault that began at 20:00 on 16 June. The full breakdown of the attack was published by the Air Force and included drones, cruise missiles, aeroballistic missiles, and guided aerial weapons.

Earlier, local authorities reported that the attack killed 14 people and injured 104 in Kyiv, while one civilian was reported dead and 17 injured in Odesa.

Kyiv identified as the main target

According to the Air Force, the primary direction of the strike was Kyiv. Defense efforts were carried out by aviation units, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare (EW) units, and unmanned systems belonging to Ukraine’s defense forces.

Russia kills 14, injures 100+ with missiles and drones in Kyiv as G7 leaders meet in Canada and Trump rejects sanctions

Weapons used in the attack

The Air Force detailed that Russia launched 472 air attack assets during the night:

• 440 drones, including Shahed one-way attack drones and decoy UAVs, launched from Kursk, Shatalovo, Oryol, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia. Approximately 280 of these were Shahed drones.
• 2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from the airspace over Tambov Oblast.
• 16 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from strategic aviation aircraft over Saratov Oblast.
• 4 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea.
• 9 Kh-59/69 guided missiles launched from tactical aircraft over Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts.
• 1 Kh-31P anti-radar missile.

Interception results and methods

Of the 472 airborne threats:

• 262 were destroyed using firepower.
• 166 were either jammed or lost radar contact (“disappeared from radars”).

Intercepted weapons reportedly included:

• 239 Shahed and similar drones shot down by fire, and 163 “locationally lost” or jammed.
• 2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles (1 “locationally lost”).
• 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
• 8 Kh-59/69 guided missiles (1 “locationally lost”).
• 1 Kh-31P anti-radar missile (“locationally lost”).

The Air Force’s term “locationally lost” refers to aerial targets that disappeared from radar tracking, likely having crashed before reaching their intended targets.

The data suggests that at least 38 drones and six missiles may have reached their intended targets.

Damage and impact on the ground

The Air Force recorded impacts in 10 locations where enemy air weapons struck. In addition, debris from intercepted threats fell in 34 other locations.

 Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian residential neighborhoods, injuring civilians. In the early hours of 17 June, Russia launched a massive combined air attack on Ukraine, hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike “one of the most terrible attacks on Kyiv” and confirmed that a total of more than 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched overnight. According to him, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Mykolaiv Oblast, and Kyiv Oblast were also targeted. As of 9:30, Kyiv authorities confirmed 14 dead and more than 100 injured. In Odesa, the oblast administration reported 1 person killed and 17 injured in the strike.

Kyiv’s air raid alert began at 21:14 on 16 June and lasted until 6:06 on 17 June. The first explosions occurred at midnight. Initial reports at 2:40 confirmed 16 injuries, mainly in the Solomianskyi district. Later, injuries were also reported in the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

By 6:54, over 40 people were confirmed injured, more than 30 of them hospitalized. At 9:29, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported 99 confirmed injuries, later updating the number to 104. Of those, 59 were hospitalized.

Among the dead was a 62-year-old US citizen, who died in the Solomianskyi district. Klitschko stated that the man died “in front of a house where medics were helping other people injured by the shelling.”

In Kyiv, a nine-story residential building was struck in the Solomianskyi district, with an entire section of the building destroyed “down to the basement,” according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Emergency services were still searching the rubble for survivors.

Infrastructure damage included destroyed buildings in eight districts of the city. The Kyiv Aviation Institute reported that its dormitory No. 10 was hit by a drone. Three other dormitories suffered shattered windows from the blast wave. A kindergarten was damaged in the Darnytskyi district. Public transport was affected, with tram routes No. 15 and 22 halted and traffic blocked on Boryspilska Street, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.

This was one of the most extensive Russian air assaults on Kyiv in recent months. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that Russia used 175 drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles, deliberately targeting civilian housing in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy: ‘This is pure terrorism’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that “such attacks are pure terrorism” and urged the international community to respond accordingly.

“Russia destroyed an entire section of a residential building. Buildings in eight districts of Kyiv were damaged. Work continues at all impact sites. All victims are receiving the necessary help. At this time, 15 people are reported dead. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” he posted.

He continued:

“Putin does this only because he can afford to continue the war. He wants war to continue. It is bad when the powerful of this world turn a blind eye to this. We are in contact with all partners at all possible levels so there is a proper response. These terrorists must feel pain, not peaceful, normal people.”

Strikes on Odesa and Zaporizhzhia

In Odesa, 17 people were injured, and one woman was killed. According to Odesa Oblast Military Administration official Oleksandr Kharlov, a 60-year-old woman was missing after failing to respond to the air raid alert. Later reports confirmed that her body was found under the rubble. Kharlov also said another person was being searched for at a different location.

Among the injured were a pregnant woman and a 17-year-old girl. One person was hospitalized; others were treated on an outpatient basis. Damage in the city included residential buildings, an inclusive education center, a preschool, and private garages.

In Zaporizhzhia, a missile damaged a multi-story apartment building and a dormitory. Regional head Ivan Fedorov reported that over 50 apartments had windows blown out by the blast wave. No casualties were reported.

Updates:

Ukraine’s Air Force says Russia used 440 drones and 32 missiles in deadly overnight attack against Ukraine. Of those, air defenders neutralized 402 drones and 26 missiles.

Russia targeted Ukraine with 440 drones and 32 missiles in deadly overnight attack, Ukrainian Air Force says

Injury toll reaches 114, day of mourning declared in Kyiv

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that three people were killed in Darnytsia District as a result of the large-scale Russian air assault on the city. By 10:05, medical services had received 114 victims, with 68 hospitalized and the rest treated on-site.

The city declared 18 June as a Day of Mourning, during which flags on all municipal buildings will be flown at half-staff, and entertainment events are banned.

Search-and-rescue efforts continue in Solomyanskyi District, where emergency crews are still working through the rubble, according to Klitschko.

It remains unclear whether the newly confirmed fatalities are part of the 14 earlier reported by the Kyiv City Military Administration. The injury count has risen from a previous 104.

Russia hit 27 locations in Kyiv, including homes and infrastructure, five people missing

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that 27 locations across Kyiv came under attack overnight on 17 June. The strikes damaged residential buildings, educational facilities, and critical infrastructure.

Klymenko stated,

“We received information about at least five missing residents of the building. Rescuers will clear the rubble until we are sure that everyone is safe and receiving help.”

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said 296 rescuers and 75 vehicles are currently involved in response efforts across the city.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister condemns attack during G7 summit

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack a deliberate Russian act to coincide with the ongoing G7 summit in Canada.

Writing on X, Sybiha said Russia does this on purpose to send a signal of total disrespect to the US and other partners, while “pretending to seek diplomatic solutions.”

Civilian infrastructure and grain wagons damaged

CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia railway company CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi reported damage to freight cars carrying grain in Kyiv following the night’s missile and drone strikes. However, he assured that operations would be swiftly restored and train schedules would not be affected.

National postal operator Ukrposhta also suffered damage, with two branches—No. 03124 and No. 03126—destroyed. According to CEO Ihor Smilianskyi, a new branch is expected to start operating at an alternate address by 18 June. 

Energy company DTEK reported that 1,148 Kyiv residents were left without electricity as a result of the Russian strikes.

In the early hours of 14 June, Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine, deploying 58 Shahed-type drones, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. Air defenses neutralized 43 of them, including 23 shot down by fire and 20 suppressed or lost from radar through electronic warfare. Hits were recorded in nine locations, and drone debris fell in at least five. The Russian drones injured three people in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, while other attack hurt more people in Donetsk and Kherson oblast, according to local authorities.

Zaporizhzhia hit hardest in drone assault: civilians injured, fires reported

According to the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, 14 Shahed drones targeted Zaporizhzhia. The strikes hit residential buildings, a public transport stop, and a store. A humanitarian aid warehouse was destroyed.

NGO head Oleksandr Belyuha told Suspilne,

“This is our main warehouse. We’ve been helping people for three years. We provided humanitarian aid: food, hygiene products. Now everything is destroyed.”

Emergency services responded to fires that broke out in vehicles, multiple buildings, and the warehouse. Over ten cars burned in a parking area. At least 15 apartment blocks, one-family homes, and non-residential buildings were damaged.

Drone attack damages reported in Kharkiv Oblast

In Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Russian drones caused four direct hits overnight on 14 June. The City Military Administration reported shattered windows, blown-off doors, and damage to garages in both residential and administrative structures.

However, Kharkiv Oblast authorities confirmed that there were no injuries over the past 24 hours despite attacks on five settlements. The region came under varied weaponry, including six KAB guided bombs, one FAB-1500 bomb, four Shahed-136 drones (which the oblast administration, for some reason, persistently calls by their Russian designation, Geran-2), and one FPV drone.

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Sumy Oblast suffers intense shelling with no casualties

Russian forces struck Sumy Oblast nearly 70 times between the mornings of 13 and 14 June, according to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration. The attacks targeted 21 settlements in nine communities. Most occurred in Sumy Raion. Weapons included around 30 drone-dropped VOG grenades and almost 10 air-dropped KAB bombs.

Two households were damaged in a strike on Pishchane, as confirmed by local official Mykola Sachenko. No casualties were reported.

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Five injured in Kherson Oblast as attacks continue

Various Russian attacks targeted Kherson Oblast, with 23 under fire in the past 24 hours. Oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin reported on 14 June that five people were injured. Airstrikes and artillery fire damaged an apartment building, six one-family homes, a gas station, a gas pipeline, a garage, and vehicles.

Russians kill one civilian, injure two others in Donetsk Oblast

According to Donetsk Oblast authorities, Russian strikes resulted in one death and two injuries on 13 June.

A Ukrainian air defense brigade used the newly delivered German IRIS-T air defense system to destroy seven Russian cruise missiles during its first operational engagement by the unit, Militarnyi reported on 13 June. The Lviv-based anti-aircraft missile brigade achieved a new record during the battle, surpassing its previous results under Soviet-era systems.

Brigade intercepts every target with German system

According to the brigade’s commander Vitalii, the unit intercepted seven Russian cruise missiles during a large-scale missile and aviation assault.

“While repelling the massive missile and air strike, seven Russian cruise missiles entered our kill zone. We destroyed them one by one,” he said.

This marked the first combat use of IRIS-T by the brigade, and the results immediately exceeded their past performance. 

S-300 replaced after years of reliable use

Before receiving IRIS-T, the brigade relied primarily on the Soviet-era S-300 complex. The commander emphasized that their previous maximum had been five targets in a single engagement when using the S-300.

“We worked well with the three-hundred. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we destroyed 55 enemy cruise missiles and drones,” said Vitaliy. Still, the new system brought an instant improvement, with the seven-missile battle setting a fresh benchmark.

IRIS-T earns confidence of Ukrainian defenders

Vitalii noted that the IRIS-T system had already earned trust within the brigade after its first successful engagement.

“This is a modern and precise system that has already won authority among our anti-aircraft forces,” he stated. “We are confident that with it we’ll surpass our previous result of 55 downed targets.”

The brigade regards this first success not as a peak, but as the start of a new chapter. According to Militarnyi, the air defense personnel are determined to keep building on the new tally.

IRIS-T designed for short-range precision defense

IRIS-T is a modern German short-range surface-to-air missile system built to protect ground forces near the front line. It is engineered to intercept enemy aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. At its core is the IRIS-T missile, which uses an infrared homing head and has been adapted for ground launch. Target locking occurs during the final flight phase via the infrared seeker.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding with IRIS missile manufacturer Diehl Defence in March. 

Search and rescue workers in Kharkiv have recovered the body of the sixth and final victim of a Russian attack carried out overnight on 7 June, concluding a multi-day search operation, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov’s 12 June report.

Search ends with tragic discovery

Authorities located the body of a missing civilian employee trapped under rubble in the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv City, where a Russian strike targeted a civilian enterprise five days before. Mayor Terekhov confirmed the recovery and declared the search operation officially concluded.

The victim had been listed as missing since the Russian attack, which involved a mix of drones, KAB guided bombs, and at least one missile, launched against the city overnight into 7 June.

Sequence of discoveries

Two additional bodies were recovered from the rubble on the morning of 12 June. Prior to that, the body of the first confirmed victim was found on 10 June, with others discovered over the following days.

Body recovered in Kharkiv after Russia’s 7 June attack, five still missing

According to initial reports, six civilian employees were believed to be trapped under the collapsed structure after the airstrike. All six have now been confirmed dead.

Overnight on 12 June, Russia again targeted Ukraine with long-range explosive drones. Although the number of drones dropped significantly—from over 400 in recent days to 63 last night—the attack still caused damage to civilian infrastructure and injured civilians.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched the 63 drones—including Shahed-type explosive drones and decoy UAVs—against Ukraine from directions including Russia’s Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and the Russian-occupied Chauda in Ukraine’s Crimea. The report says 49 drones were neutralized, with 28 shot down and 21 suppressed or lost via electronic warfare systems. Despite these defenses, drones hit at least seven locations, with debris falling in four others, according to the Air Force.

The Air Force’s data suggest that 14 Russian drones may have reached their intended targets.

Kharkiv city’s residential areas targeted

In Kharkiv, Russian drones hit multiple areas, including a high-rise residential building and a nearby fitness club in the Saltiivskyi district, as reported by Suspilne and confirmed by Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

The 24-story building suffered damage, with three vehicles catching fire due to drone debris crash.

Local resident Volodymyr told Suspilne,

“The house shook, plaster fell from the ceiling, and my windows and balconies were blown out.”

Drone strikes also targeted Shevchenkivskyi and Slobidskyi districts of Kharkiv city.

Three civilians killed and nine children wounded as Russia hits residential areas in Kharkiv

Wider damage across Kharkiv Oblast

According to Kharkiv Oblast Head Oleh Syniehubov, 16 people were injured in the region over the past 24 hours, including four children aged 2, 12, 16, and 17. 

Weapons used included two unguided air rockets, six KAB guided bombs, and over 31 Shaheds, and five drones of other types, according to Syniehubov.

Strikes in Odesa and Donetsk oblasts

In Odesa Oblast, drones hit the Izmail district and damaged several multi-story residential buildings and a reed-processing enterprise in the Vylkove community. No casualties were reported, but civilian infrastructure was affected, according to Oblast Head Oleh Kiper.

Meanwhile, Donetsk Oblast Administration reported two civilians killed in Raiiske and Toretske and six others wounded over the past 24 hours. The report did not specify whether Russian drone strikes or artillery shelling caused the casualties.

Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine’s defense forces have proven remarkably effective at targeting Russian rotary-wing aircraft, achieving key tactical victories that have impacted Russia’s air support capabilities. These incidents are not just statistics; they highlight evolving warfare dynamics, the ingenuity of defenders, and underscore the potency of modern weapon systems used against even advanced aircraft. Tracking confirmed losses and captures provides crucial insights into the ongoing air war. Here are five major incidents including notable captures and successful shoot-downs that have significantly impacted Russia’s helicopter fleet and made international headlines between 2022 and 2025.

Detailed Incidents

1. Captured Ka‑52 “Alligator” near Kyiv Airport (Feb–Apr 2022)

• Incident: During the initial, intense assault on Kyiv on 24 February 2022, Russian Ka‑52 “Alligator” attack helicopters played a key role in attempting to secure objectives like the Hostomel airport. Exposed to determined Ukrainian air defenses, several were hit by MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems). One specific Ka-52 sustained damage and crash-landed near Hostomel airport. Its wreck remained relatively intact in the field through early April 2022, after the initial Russian advance was repelled. Ukrainian special operations forces eventually secured the downed helicopter.


• Significance:
  
  
  
  • This incident was one of the earliest high-profile confirmed losses of Russia’s most advanced attack helicopter type.
  
  
  • Crucially, securing a relatively intact airframe provided Ukrainian forces, and potentially their Western partners, with rare access to modern Russian aviation technology.
  
  
  • Analyzing its systems, avionics, and countermeasures offered invaluable insights into Russian capabilities and weaknesses, informing defensive strategies and electronic warfare efforts.
  
  
  • The capture became a symbol of failed Russian air assault tactics during the initial phase of the invasion.
  
  
  
  

2. Russian Mi-8 Helicoper Captured by Defecting Pilot (Aug 2023)

• Incident: In a stunning and highly unusual incident in August 2023, a Russian Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter, carrying parts for Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets, landed at a Ukrainian military airfield near Kharkiv. The pilot, Maksym Kuzminov, had deliberately defected to Ukraine in a pre-planned operation coordinated with Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). The two other crew members onboard, unaware of the plan, were reportedly killed attempting to resist after landing.


• Significance:
  
  
  
  • This was a major intelligence coup for Ukraine, providing access not only to a modern Mi-8 variant but also to valuable aircraft parts and, most importantly, the pilot’s testimony and insights into Russian air force operations and morale.
  
  
  • The incident delivered a significant psychological blow to the Russian military, highlighting potential internal dissent and raising concerns about the trustworthiness of their personnel.
  
  
  • It demonstrated the effectiveness of Ukrainian intelligence operations aimed at encouraging defections.
  
  
  • The captured helicopter itself became a military asset for Ukraine and a subject of international media attention.
  
  
  
  

3. HIMARS Strikes on Ka‑52 & Mi‑8 in Russia’s Belgorod (Mar 2025)

• Incident: In a sophisticated deep-action strike in March 2025, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a forward staging airfield in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, located relatively close to the Ukrainian border. Utilizing M30A2-guided rockets fired from the US-provided HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), Ukrainian precision strikes reportedly destroyed two Ka‑52 attack helicopters and two Mi‑8 transports that were positioned on the ground.


• Significance:
  
  
  
  • This strike demonstrated Ukraine’s increasing capability to accurately hit high-value Russian military assets located deep behind the immediate front lines using Western-supplied long-range precision artillery.
  
  
  • Targeting helicopters on the ground, particularly advanced types like the Ka-52, is an effective way to degrade Russia’s air support capabilities before they can even reach the combat zone.
  
  
  • The incident underscored the vulnerability of even seemingly secure forward operating bases to modern guided missile systems like HIMARS.
  
  
  • It highlighted Ukraine’s intelligence capabilities in identifying and targeting valuable concentrations of Russian military equipment.
  
  
  
  

SOF, along with the military intelligence and Rocket Forces and Artillery, struck and destroyed 4 russian helicopters – two Kamov Ka-52 and two Mil Mi-8 – behind enemy lines at russia’s hidden position for rapid redeployment or attacks against Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/57swOQxZnc

— SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) March 24, 2025

4. Significant Mi‑24/35 and Ka‑52 Losses in 2023 Combat Operations

• Mi‑24/35: The Mi-24 (Hind) and its modernized variants (Mi-35) have been workhorse attack helicopters for Russia. Throughout 2023, these aircraft continued to operate in contested airspace and faced significant threats. For instance, in early April 2023, a Russian Mi‑24VM variant was specifically reported as shot down in Kharkiv Oblast due to MANPADS fire.


• Ka‑52: The Ka-52 “Alligator” saw extensive use, particularly in supporting ground offensives in 2023. However, it also suffered heavy losses. Reports from open sources and visually confirmed losses tracked by organizations like Oryx indicate that numerous Ka‑52s were destroyed across combat zones including critical sectors like Vuhledar, Avdiivka, and areas in Belgorod Oblast. Visual confirmations alone account for over 64 losses of this type throughout the conflict by the end of 2023, with reports suggesting over 20 destroyed within that specific year.


• Significance:
  
  
  
  • These sustained losses underscore the persistent vulnerability of Russian attack helicopters to a combination of layered Ukrainian defenses, including shoulder-fired MANPADS, short-range air defenses, artillery fire, FPV drones, and electronic warfare that disrupts their targeting and navigation.
  
  
  • Despite their armor and countermeasures, both older Mi-24/35 and newer Ka-52s proved susceptible when operating in high-threat environments.
  
  
  • The attrition rate for these helicopters significantly degraded Russia’s ability to provide close air support and perform reconnaissance effectively.
  
  
  
  

5. Mi‑28N “Night Hunter” Wreckages Found in Hostomel (2022)

• Incident: During the initial invasion in February 2022, Russian forces attempted to seize key airfields, including Hostomel, using helicopter assaults spearheaded by attack aviation. Among the types deployed was the Mil Mi-28N “Night Hunter,” intended as Russia’s premier all-weather attack helicopter. Following the failed assault on Kyiv and the withdrawal of Russian forces from northern Ukraine in late March and April 2022, the wreckage of at least two Mi‑28N attack helicopters was discovered in the vicinity of Hostomel and other northern areas like Kharkiv Oblast. These losses were attributed to successful engagements by Ukrainian ground forces using MANPADS and other ground-based anti-aircraft fire.


• Significance:
  
  
  
  • The loss of Mi-28N helicopters, similar to the Ka-52 losses, demonstrated that even Russia’s newer, technologically advanced attack helicopters were not immune to Ukrainian air defenses.
  
  
  • It showed that aircraft intended for high survivability in contested environments could be effectively neutralized by relatively low-cost, portable weapon systems when operating at low altitudes or during vulnerable phases of flight like landings and takeoffs.
  
  
  • The presence of their wrecks among others near key objectives like Hostomel highlighted the heavy cost Russia paid in rotary-wing assets during the initial, unsuccessful attempts to achieve rapid air superiority and capture strategic points from the air.
  
  
  
  

Quick Stats on Russian Helicopter Losses (as of mid-2025)

Based on aggregated data from open sources like Oryx and reputable military analysis sites, the confirmed visual losses of Russian helicopters in Ukraine are significant:

• Ka‑52 “Alligator”: Around 60 visually confirmed destroyed, with others damaged or captured. This represents a substantial portion of Russia’s operational Ka-52 fleet entering the invasion.


• Mi-8/Mi-17 Transports: Over 23 visually confirmed destroyed, including various transport and specialized variants, with some captured (like the notable incident in August 2023). These losses impact troop and cargo movement capabilities.


• Mi-24/Mi-35 Attack Helicopters: Over 13 visually confirmed total losses of these older, but still widely used, attack helicopters.


• Mi-28N “Night Hunter”: Around 13 visually confirmed destroyed, with others damaged. These losses are particularly impactful given the Mi-28N’s intended role as a premier attack platform.


• Other Types: Additional losses include Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters, Ka-29, and other types, though in smaller numbers.

Collectively, the confirmed visually verifiable losses of Russian helicopters in the conflict likely exceed 100 airframes by mid-2025. While challenging to give an exact real-time figure (actual losses are likely higher than visually confirmed), this represents a significant percentage of Russia’s pre-war rotary-wing force and seriously degrades their air assault, close air support, and logistical capabilities. 

Why These Losses Matter

These specific incidents and the overall high rate of Russian helicopter losses are important for several reasons:

• Technological Evolution of Warfare: They powerfully demonstrate the rising efficacy and proliferation of modern anti-air systems, ranging from advanced MANPADS and short-range air defenses to guided missiles (like HIMARS against ground targets) and the increasing threat posed by various types of drones.


• Shifting Air Warfare Dynamics: The vulnerability of rotary-wing assets in contested airspaces signals a significant shift from earlier conflicts where helicopters could often operate with relative impunity. This forces changes in tactics, requiring greater caution, better electronic warfare support, and adaptation to operate in environments where the “air is not clear.”


• Impact on Ground Operations: Helicopters are vital for rapid troop deployment, close air support, medical evacuation, and logistics. Their significant attrition rate directly impedes Russia’s ability to conduct these operations effectively, impacting the pace and success of ground offensives.


• Intelligence Gathering: The capture of intact or relatively intact airframes (like the Ka-52 and Mi-8) provides invaluable intelligence on Russian technology and tactics, aiding Ukraine and its allies in developing countermeasures.


• Psychological and Morale Impact: Capturing and destroying expensive, high-profile military assets like attack helicopters not only has operational consequences but also serves as a powerful symbol of resistance and success for Ukrainian forces, undermining Russian morale.

Takeaway

The cases of Russian helicopters captured or destroyed in Ukraine showcase the brutal realities of modern warfare and the effectiveness of determined defense against technologically advanced adversaries. The evolving methods used by Ukrainian forces ranging from proven surface-to-air missiles and precise HIMARS strikes against ground targets, to innovative uses of drones and successful intelligence operations leading to captures highlight Ukraine’s strategic innovation and adaptation.

These incidents not only shift battlefield dynamics by making rotary-wing assets significantly more vulnerable but symbolize a broader recalibration of air power effectiveness in the face of widely available and capable defensive systems in 2025.

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Overnight on 10 June, Russia launched one of the war’s largest air attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, also targeting Odesa, killing at least three people and injuring over a dozen, according to local authorities.

The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Russia launched 322 aerial weapons, including 315 Shahed drones and decoy UAVs, two North Korean-supplied KN-23 ballistic missiles from Voronezh Oblast, and five Iskander-K cruise missiles from Kursk Oblast.

Of these, Ukraine’s air defenses reportedly destroyed 284 targets: 213 Shahed drones, two ballistic missiles, and five cruise missiles, while 64 drones were jammed or lost from radar tracking.

The Air Force’s data suggest that at least 38 Russian drones may have hit their intended targets.

11 locations were hit, while drone debris crashed in 16 locations, according to the report.

Kyiv: Unprecedented strike on the capital

Kyiv was the primary target of Moscow’s air assault last night. Russia targeted Kyiv with an intense wave of aerial attacks overnight on 10 June, causing major fires and destruction across eight city districts.

The attack killed a woman in the Obolonskyi District and injured four men of various ages. Two remain hospitalized while two were treated on site, according to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv City Military Administration (KMVA).

Several residential buildings, businesses, a stadium, and infrastructure were damaged in the Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Holosiivskyi, Desnianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, Solomianskyi, and Dniprovskyi districts. In Obolonskyi, a helicopter was deployed to extinguish a major fire.

Debris damaged homes, cars, a sanatorium, and even a former consulate building of a European country, which caught fire. Though long out of use, the building was occupied by a guard and several animals—all survived.

In Shevchenkivskyi, the 11th-century St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained damage to its main apse cornice due to the blast wave. Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi confirmed the damage.

Police reported that a drone detonated near a patrol vehicle responding to the attack, injuring one officer with shrapnel. The incident is being investigated as part of a broader criminal case into the attack.

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Odesa: Moscow targeted three medical facilities

The southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on the Black Sea coast also came under heavy drone attack. Odesa Oblast Military Administration (OVA) head Oleh Kiper reported two civilian deaths and nine injuries. One of those killed by Russia was a 59-year-old man. Among the injured were five women and three men, while another woman suffered an acute stress reaction. Four of the wounded were hospitalized with moderate injuries.

A maternity ward, private medical clinic, sports facility, zoo, and a central railway station building were damaged. Though no casualties were reported in the maternity hospital strike, all staff and patients were evacuated in time. In total, over 10 drones were used in the attack on Odesa.

An administrative building of the emergency medical services station was completely destroyed, with ambulances also damaged. Fires broke out across multiple locations in the city center. City authorities confirmed that residential buildings were hit, with initial reports of at least one woman killed and three hospitalized.

Cherkasy Oblast

Elsewhere, Cherkasy Oblast’s chief Ihor Taburets confirmed that local air defense shot down 15 Russian drones overnight. No injuries or infrastructure damage were reported.

Rescue workers discovered a body on 10 June under the debris of a Kharkiv enterprise destroyed in Russia’s deadly overnight attack on 7 June. The search for five more missing workers continues.

One body recovered, five more feared buried

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced the discovery via Telegram on 10 June.

“During rescue work at the enterprise shelled on 7 June, a body was found. The process of its recovery is ongoing,” Terekhov wrote.

He added that rescue operations are being conducted around the clock, and according to available data, up to five individuals may still be trapped under the rubble.

Kharkiv endures most extensive attack since full-scale invasion began. Three civilians killed, dozens injured

Enterprise struck in powerful overnight air assault days ago

The enterprise, located in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi District, was hit during what Terekhov described as the “most powerful attack” on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The assault began at approximately 03:00 a.m. on 7 June and included over 40 explosions. Russian forces used more than 50 Shahed explosive drones, four guided bombs (KABs), and one missile, according to Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office head Spartak Borysenko.

A large fire erupted at the site, and initial reports said six workers might be blocked under the rubble. Five of them—three women and two men—were confirmed injured.

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Earlier toll from the 7 June attack

The overnight Russian assault on Kharkiv killed three civilians and injured 21 others, including a one-and-a-half-month-old infant and a 14-year-old girl. Later that evening, Russian forces attacked again with guided bombs, one of which hit the children’s railway, killing two and injuring over 40 people.

Russian missile killed young couple planning marriage. They lived on 8th floor —their bodies found in basement after collapse

A 17-year-old boy has died in hospital from injuries sustained during the Russian rocket artillery strike on the city of Sumy on 3 June, raising the total death toll to six. “Doctors fought for his life for nearly a week,” local authorities reported on 10 June.

On 3 June, Russian forces shelled central Sumy city in northeastern Ukraine, reportedly using the Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the strike was a deliberate attack on civilian areas.

“Russians savagely hit Sumy. Just the city, ordinary streets – with rocket artillery. A completely deliberate strike on civilians. A rescue operation is underway now,” Zelenskyy said back then.

The President also highlighted that at least one rocket did not detonate. The unexploded munition penetrated the wall of a ninth-floor apartment.

Russia kills civilians in central Sumy with Tornado-S cluster munitions. “Hypersonic” Kinzhal hits near Mykolaiv (updated)

Casualties and aftermath

On the evening of 3 June, officials reported four people killed and 28 injured in the attack. Among the wounded were three children.

On 4 June, the death toll rose to five after an 86-year-old woman died in hospital from injuries sustained during the shelling.

Now, the latest victim, the 17-year-old boy, passed away nearly a week later despite intensive efforts by medical personnel.

Ukraine is still waiting for the United States to respond to its request to purchase air defense systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 7 June. This followed a major Russian air assault on Kharkiv city the same day, as Russia reportedly targeted the city with 67 explosive drones, nine aerial bombs, and a missile.

Zelenskyy calls for urgent US support

In his evening address on 7 June, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine urgently needs “positive signals” from the US — not just words, but concrete decisions.

“We are working to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. We urgently need positive signals from the United States – concrete signals regarding air defense systems,” he said. “We are still waiting for a response to our request to purchase systems that can help — concrete signals, not words.”

He also thanked European nations for their support and emphasized the importance of joint production efforts.

“We must also achieve results in the joint production of air defense systems and missiles for them – this is absolutely essential for our whole Europe,” Zelenskyy noted, adding that “only time separates us from that result, and what matters most is shortening that time.”

Reuters: US expects another multi-pronged Russian strike after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone attack

The statement came after a Ukrainian delegation visited Washington on 6 June. According to the head of the Office of the President, Andrii Yermak, Ukraine expressed its readiness to buy weapons from the US. However, Yermak stated that members of Congress believe Washington can continue supplying arms directly to Ukraine instead.

On 6 June, Russia attacked Kyiv, Lutsk, and Ternopil with hundreds of drones and 45 missiles, leading to heavy casualties among civilians. That day, US President Donald Trump appeared to defend Russia’s massive airstrike on Ukrainian cities the night before, claiming that Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb had given Vladimir Putin “a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night.” Earlier, after a phone call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, he said Russia’s reaction would “not be pretty.” 

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 49 explosive Shahed drones, decoy drones, a cruise missile, and two guided missiles overnight on 8 June, with Ukrainian defenses neutralizing 40 of the drones.

According to the Air Force, the attack was countered by air defense missile units, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare teams from both the Air Force and broader Defense Forces.

As of 09:00, 40 Shahed drones and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized over the east, south, north, and center of Ukraine. Among these, 22 were destroyed by direct fire, while another 18 were either jammed or lost on radars with no further consequences.

Reuters: US expects another multi-pronged Russian strike after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone attack

The Air Force’s data suggest that all three missiles and at least nine drones may have reached their intended targets. 

Key targets: Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts

The Air Force identified Kharkiv Oblast and Donetsk Oblast as the main directions of the overnight Russian assault. Strikes were recorded at five locations.

While no direct damage or casualties from the latest attack were cited, regional reports provided updates on the previous day’s strikes. In Kharkiv Oblast, Head of the Oblast Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov stated that the city of Kharkiv and nine other settlements came under heavy Russian fire during 7 June.

Previous day’s toll: Civilians killed and injured

According to Syniehubov, the earlier attack left three civilians dead and 23 injured. Two of the fatalities occurred in Kharkiv, where 18 people were wounded. In the village of Staryi Saltiv, two women aged 46 and 53 and a 30-year-old man were injured. In Kupiansk, a 44-year-old man sustained injuries. In Kozacha Lopan, a 60-year-old man was killed, and another man aged 47 was injured.

Kharkiv endures most extensive attack since full-scale invasion began. Three civilians killed, dozens injured

Syniehubov detailed that Russian forces had used a wide variety of weapons in Kharkiv Oblast during the day, including one Kh-59 missile, nine guided aerial bombs (KABs), 64 Shahed drones, three “Geran-2” drones (the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 that Syniehubov, for some reason, refers to by its Russian designation), one Lancet drone, and two Molniya drones. In the city of Kharkiv itself, four KABs struck the Shevchenkivskyi and Kyivskyi districts.

Donetsk civilians also suffer casualties

Donetsk Oblast Head Vadym Filashkin reported that Russian attacks on 7 June killed four civilians: two in Yablunivka, one in Kostiantynivka, and one in Siversk. Another nine people in the oblast were injured.

FPV drone strike in Zaporizhzhia sets home ablaze

Separately, in the frontline town of Prymorske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a Russian FPV drone targeted a detached house, as reported by Oblast Head Ivan Fedorov on 8 June. The attack resulted in a fire that completely destroyed the building and left a 63-year-old man with shrapnel wounds. He was hospitalized and is receiving medical care.

Overnight on 6 June, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, using 407 drones, 38 cruise missiles, and six ballistic missiles, according to preliminary data from the Ukrainian Air Force. Later, the Air Force published the updated data.

In a televised appearance, Yuri Ihnat, head of communications for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that the attack included various types of aerial threats, according to Liga.

“A very large number of air attack weapons are flying. Each week we are essentially breaking records for the number of assets used. Today there were ballistic and cruise missiles, and a large number of strike UAVs and drone imitators,” Ihnat said.

Ihnat emphasized the figures are early estimates and have not been formally released by the Air Force yet due to the need for thorough verification.

Russian missiles, drones target Kyiv, Ternopil, Lutsk in one of Moscow’s largest air assaults, civilians killed and injured (updates)

Air Force preliminary assessments report the destruction of up to 30 missiles through air defense measures. Additionally, up to 200 strike drones were intercepted. A further 167 drones are currently classified as “radar lost” or disappeared from radars during the operation.

Attack route and defense deployment

According to Ihnat, Russia primarily launched its drones and missiles from the northern oblasts of Ukraine, with the projectiles advancing westward in what was described as a “crawling offensive.“

To counter the threats, Ukraine deployed anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, and aviation assets. Fighter aircraft including F-16 and Mirage-2000 jets participated in the overnight operation. Ihnat noted that these units “performed quite effectively” during the night strike.

Final strike data pending

The Air Force Command is expected to release final verified statistics in its upcoming official summary, confirming the extent of the aerial attack and Ukraine’s defense performance.

Updated data

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that overnight on 6 June (starting 20:00 on 5 June), Russia launched 452 aerial attack assets at Ukraine,

• including 407 Shahed-type strike drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions,
• six Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles,
• 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS and Tu-160MS bombers,
• two Iskander-K cruise missiles, and
• one Kh-31P anti-radar missile.

By 10:00, Ukrainian air defenses had destroyed 406 targets:

• 199 drones were shot down, 169 suppressed or lost via electronic warfare, four ballistic missiles intercepted (two failed mid-air),
• 30 Kh-101 cruise missiles downed, and
• both Iskander-K missiles destroyed.

Airstrikes caused direct hits in 13 locations, with debris from intercepted weapons falling in 19 others.

In the early hours of 6 June, Russia conducted one of the largest air attacks since the start of its full-scale invasion, targeting Kyiv, Ternopil, Lutsk, Lviv, and several other cities using a combination of missiles and drones. The Russian assault resulted in civilian casualties — with four people known to have been killed and 25 injured — along with widespread damage to infrastructure and multiple fires.

At the time of reporting, the attack was still ongoing, with several Russian drones remaining airborne over multiple regions.

Here’s what we know so far.

Known details and air defense response

So far, there is no official count of the missiles and drones used in the attack, but live reporting from Ukrainian monitoring channels indicated that Russia launched over 100 missiles, along with a significantly higher number of drones.

The Ukrainian air monitoring channel Monitor summarized that the Russian assault involved Kh-101 cruise missiles launched by Tu-95MS bombers from Volgograd Oblast, Kalibr missiles fired by the Black Sea fleet, and Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Kursk and Voronezh Oblasts. The attack also included Shahed drones and other types of UAVs.

The assault affected Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Lviv Oblast, Lutsk, Ternopil and Ternopil Oblast, Rivne Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava Oblast, and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district of Odesa Oblast. Energy infrastructure, residential areas, and civilian sites were hit, as confirmed by local authorities and military administrations.

Monitor stated the missile phase of the assault lasted from 03:10 to 04:40, while drone waves began at 20:10 and continued for over 10 hours.

Kyiv: Fires and casualties

Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported that Russia targeted the Ukrainian capital with cruise and ballistic missiles, and Shahed explosive drones. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, confirmed that as of 6:00, one person was killed and 20 others were injured, 16 of whom were hospitalized. Strikes hit multiple districts, including Solomianskyi, where a school and residential buildings were damaged.

Drone debris caused fires in Darnytskyi, where vehicles were destroyed, and in Holosiivskyi, where building structures were reportedly damaged. Fires also broke out in Shevchenkivskyi and Sviatoshynskyi. Debris fell in Desnianskyi and other parts of the city. Metro lines between “Darnytsia” and “Livoberezhna” were damaged. Some areas on the city’s left bank experienced temporary power outages.

“They were working under fire to help people. Another nine emergency workers were wounded. Some are in serious condition — doctors are fighting for their lives,” Klymenko wrote on Telegram.

Ternopil and oblast: Infrastructure and industrial sites hit

Ternopil mayor Serhii Nadal reported that industrial and infrastructure targets in the city were struck. Part of the city was left without electricity and water pressure dropped. Emergency services were working at the scene.

Head of the Oblast Military Administration, Viacheslav Nehoda, described it as “the most massive air attack on our oblast,” noting multiple strikes and ongoing firefighting efforts. Explosions were first reported during an air raid starting at 03:16.

Lutsk: Injuries and extensive property damage

In Lutsk, mayor Ihor Polishchuk confirmed five people were injured in the strikes. According to him, the Russians targeted the city with 15 drones and five missiles. It is the largest attack on the city since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

A residential building suffered partial destruction and windows were shattered in multiple buildings. Commercial facilities and private vehicles were also damaged. The Oblast Military Administration added that people were evacuated and received medical help, noting that air defenses “destroyed a lot of [aerial] targets.”

Russia kills Ukrainian baby and seven more people as Trump keeps pushing predictably doomed peace talks

Lviv Oblast: Air defense in action

Lviv mayor Andrii Sadovyi and regional head Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed that air defenses operated successfully and no Russian strikes reached Lviv community infrastructure. Loud explosions were heard during the air raid, which started at 00:53 and ended at 05:01.

Chernihiv: Shahed struck near apartment block

Chernihiv City Military Administration head Dmytro Bryzhynskyi reported that a Shahed drone exploded near a high-rise building on the city’s outskirts. No casualties or damage were mentioned.

Khmelnytskyi Oblast: Explosions heard during air raid

Explosions were reported by Suspilne correspondents in Khmelnytskyi during an air raid early in the morning. The Ukrainian Air Force noted that cruise missiles entered the oblast around 04:05.

Read the followup:

Russia launches 407 drones and 44 missiles against Ukraine in overnight assault, Air Force says

Russian forces launched an overnight air assault on 5 June using over 100 drones and a ballistic missile against Ukraine, and continued ground and artillery attacks. Russian strikes killed at least eight civilians, including a baby, and injured dozens across Ukraine, according to local authorities.

Mass aerial attack

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia used 103 Shahed-type drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile in its latest assault from Russian territory and Crimea’s occupied zone. The main directions of attack included Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa oblasts. Air defenses neutralized 74 drones—28 shot down and 46 jammed or lost. Impacts from the airstrikes were confirmed in 16 locations across Ukraine.

The Air Force’s data suggest that the missile and at least 29 Russian drones may have reached their targets.

Civilians killed in Pryluky

In Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, Russia struck with at least six Shahed drones, for some reason referred to by their Russian designation as “Geran” by Regional Military Administration head Vyacheslav Chaus.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the fatal strike destroyed the home of a rescuer, killing his wife, daughter, and grandson.

“This is already the 632nd child killed during the full-scale war,” Zelenskyy said.

Large fires broke out in residential areas. The State Emergency Service reported two detached houses, two garages, one outbuilding, and a car were destroyed.

Kharkiv: targeted residential buildings

Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi district was hit by seven Russian drones, with a total of 16 explosive drones targeting Kharkiv Oblast. Additionally, the region was targeted by an Iskander-M Russian missile, two Kh-35, and one more unidentified missile. Mayor Ihor Terekhov and Oblast head Oleh Syniehubov reported 19 injured, including a pregnant woman, a 93-year-old, and four children, aged 7, 9,  and 13. Additionally, a 38-year-old man was injured in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, after an explosion of an unidentified device.

Terekhov stated:

“This is not a strike on military targets. This is deliberate terror against residential areas and ordinary Kharkiv residents.”

Seven apartment buildings were damaged, with drones hitting 17th and 2nd floors directly. Fires erupted in apartments and vehicles.

Odesa Oblast: schools and clinics damaged

Russia struck Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district in Odesa Oblast with drones, damaging a family medicine clinic, a children’s creativity center, and a lyceum school. Local authorities reported no casualties. Fires were extinguished by emergency services. Oblast head Oleh Kiper said law enforcement is documenting Russia’s actions as war crimes.

Sumy Oblast: children among injured

Sumy Oblast authorities confirmed injuries to two civilians over the past 24 hours: a 42-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl. Nearly 100 Russian strikes hit 35 towns and villages, including the use of more than 20 guided bombs and 30 VOG grenades dropped from drones.

Kherson: airstrikes kill two

Kherson Oblast authorities reported two killed and 10 injured over the past 24 hours. This morning, Russian forces bombed central Kherson with four KAB bombs, causing additional injuries to a 74-year-old, 68-year-old, and a 44-year-old man.

One apartment block’s entrance was destroyed, and nearby buildings damaged. The strike targeted the Kherson Oblast Administration building.

Four people trapped in a basement were rescued unharmed.

Earlier, a 66-year-old man suffered a blast injury in Bilozerka and will receive outpatient treatment.

Civilian casualties in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, two were injured during 428 Russian strikes across 14 settlements, including Vasylivskyi district, local authorities reported.

In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a 71-year-old man was severely wounded by a Russian drone-dropped munition.

The Donetsk Oblast Military Administration reported an additional fatality and five more injuries from Russian attacks on 4 June.

“Terrorism”

President Zelenskyy condemned the Russian strikes as acts of terrorism:

“This is another massive attack by Russian terrorists who kill our people every night. We expect action from the US, Europe, and everyone who can help stop this.”

He called for further sanctions and international pressure, stating that peace can only come through force and determination.

Related:

• Putin “gives the finger” to the entire world, Zelenskyy says after Trump’s call with Russian president
• 95 Russian drones target Ukraine overnight: Kharkiv hit for 90 minutes straight
• ISW: Russia continues to want Ukraine’s “complete destruction.” Russian missile stockpile only grows.
• Russia kills civilians in central Sumy with Tornado-S cluster munitions. “Hypersonic” Kinzhal hits near Mykolaiv (updated)

In the early hours of 3 June 2025, Russian forces launched a massive drone assault on Ukraine, using 112 UAVs including Shahed explosive drones and decoys from various directions. The Ukrainian Air Force reported 75 drones were neutralized, while 11 locations were struck, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in multiple oblasts, according to local authorities.

Later in the morning, Russia shelled Sumy with rockets, killing two civilians and injuring about 20 others, and targeted Mykolaiv with an air-launched ballistic missile:

Russia kills civilians in central Sumy with Tornado-S cluster munitions. “Hypersonic” Kinzhal hits near Mykolaiv (updated)

Odesa: five civilians injured, fires break out

According to the Odesa Oblast Military Administration and the regional prosecutor’s office, Russian drone strikes injured five civilians. One person was hospitalized in moderate condition, while others were treated at the scene. Fires erupted at multiple sites, including a major blaze at a food warehouse. Two cars burned down in a detached house area, and damage was reported to garages and residential buildings.

The State Emergency Service (DSNS) deployed 22 vehicles and 72 personnel, supported by three more units and 12 additional responders from the National Guard and local authorities. Air raid alerts were issued at 03:00, and explosions began around 03:32. According to Suspilne, Ukrainian air defense warned earlier that drone groups were advancing from the Black Sea toward Odesa Oblast.

Balakliia: one dead, one injured in drone strike

Overnight on 3 June, Russian drones struck Balakliia in Izium district, Kharkiv Oblast. Balakliia City Military Administration head Vitalii Karabanov reported several impacts in the town. A civilian was killed, and another person was injured.

Some strikes hit a civilian enterprise and open areas, causing wildfires. The DSNS later confirmed drone attacks on a postal terminal on the outskirts of Kharkiv, resulting in a fire that consumed two warehouse buildings and containers over a 3,000 m² area.

Postal company Nova Poshta, which operated the terminal, confirmed that part of its sorting facility was destroyed. The company stated:

We are contacting clients whose parcels were destroyed in the Russian attack regarding compensation.”

Chernihiv: four civilians injured, private and public buildings hit

Around 02:27, Russian drones hit Chernihiv. Chernihiv City Military Administration head Dmytro Bryzhynskyi reported that a Shahed drone struck a detached house, injuring two people — one critically. Later, the Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration confirmed four total casualties: two women and two men, all hospitalized with serious injuries.

A one-family home burned down, and a five-story residential building was damaged along with several other homes. Bryzhynskyi and regional head Viacheslav Chaus also reported damage to a school, multiple shops, a bus stop, and an industrial facility.

Sumy Oblast: guided bombs hit center of Khotin village

On 2 June, Russia launched three KAB guided bombs on the center of Khotin town in Sumy district. According to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, there were no casualties, but significant damage was reported.

A medical facility, school, church, and about 20 detached houses were damaged in the attack.

Nationwide air assault

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 112 Shahed-type and decoy drones overnight from Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Chauda in occupied Crimea. The main axes of attack were Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Odesa, and Donetsk oblasts. Ukrainian air defenses — including aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, EW systems, UAV units, and mobile fire groups — were activated. Of the 75 drones neutralized, 60 were shot down and 15 suppressed or lost via EW.

The Air Force’s data suggests that at least 37 Russian drones may have reached their intended targets.

On 3 June mining, Russia continued deadly attacks on Ukrainian territory, striking central Sumy city with a long-range rocket system, equipped with cluster warheads, and launching a Kinzhal aeroballistic missile that landed outside Mykolaiv, according to local authorities and airspace monitoring sources. The Sumy attack killed at least two civilians.

Sumy: Russian cluster rocket attack kills civilians, injures children

At approximately 09:18, multiple explosions were reported in central Sumy. According to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, Russian forces struck one of the city’s main streets, damaging vehicles.

Two civilian men were confirmed dead, and seven others injured, including children. Rescue services responded at the scene. The Sumy Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported to public broadcaster Suspilne:

“As of 10:00, two civilians are confirmed dead and seven injured, including four children.”

Sumy City Military Administration head Serhii Kryvosheenko added that many of the wounded were being transported to medical facilities.

Ukrainian airspace monitoring Telegram channel YeRadar reported at 10:30 that Russian forces used the Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system with a cluster warhead in the attack. According to the monitoring post, “There were four impacts within the city,” at the time.

The Tornado-S is a modernized version of the Smerch (9K58), with improved accuracy and a range of up to 200 km when equipped with newer rockets. The combination with cluster munitions increases its lethality against exposed personnel, vehicles, and infrastructure.

Update

The Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported that nearly 20 people were injured in the Russian attack on Sumy, with a 17-year-old among the wounded and some victims in critical condition.

“Unfortunately, two people were killed. Our condolences go out to their families,” the administration stated.

According to preliminary data, five impacts from long-range MLRS were recorded in the city center around 09:00. The strikes damaged a medical facility, vehicles, and residential buildings, with one of the hits occurring on Remisnycha Street.

A resident told Suspilne that he had gone out to the store when his apartment was struck:

“If I had been home, I would have died.”

A day of mourning has been declared for 4 June in the Sumy community, acting city head Artem Kobzar confirmed.

Deputy director Mykola Savchenko of the regional hospital told Suspilne that 20 wounded had been admitted, five of whom were in extremely serious condition. One 40-year-old woman died in surgery. He also shared a photo of the MLRS fragments recovered from the Remisnycha Street apartment.

In another part of the city, a woman was wounded by shrapnel at the entrance to a pharmacy on Shevchenko Avenue.

Pharmacist Ruslan told Suspilne:

“The woman was in critical condition. We pulled her into the pharmacy and did everything we could. It was a severe abdominal injury. Later, we helped paramedics carry her to the ambulance. Fortunately, all our staff are safe.”

Mykolaiv: Kinzhal missile tracked from Russian MiG-31K

Ukrainian airspace monitoring channel Nikolaevsky Vanyok, linked to the military, reported at 09:51 that MiG-31K jets took off from Akhtubinsk. At 10:02, the channel stated:

“For the first time during the war, a Kinzhal has struck near us (outside the city).” 

At 10:41, the same source reported: “All is OK.”

YeRadar detailed the event further, confirming the launch from the Kamyshin area in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast and noting a projected trajectory of approximately 1,200 km westward toward central or right-bank Ukraine. The missile, an Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, is capable of maneuvering mid-flight, deviating from typical ballistic paths. It can adjust altitude and direction at hypersonic speeds due to its aerodynamic surfaces, complicating interception efforts.

The channel observed the missile traveling at approximately 7,200 km/h over the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv, heading south. It later received information about a probable impact on the outskirts of Mykolaiv. Due to the Kinzhal’s ability to adjust its path in real time, YeRadar noted it would not attempt to chart the exact route. 

Update

Monitoring channel Raketa UA noted that the Russian MiG-31K fighter jet carried out its first-ever combat sortie from the Akhtubinsk airbase on the day of the strike. Previously, such launches had only been conducted from Savasleyka airbase.

“Russia is again changing its tactics,” the channel stated, adding that this new development would make it even harder to predict potential Kinzhal launches.

Overnight on 29 May 2025, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine, killing six and injuring 33 civilians and damaging homes, while Ukrainian defenses intercepted just 56 out of 90 incoming drones, according to Ukraine’s Air Force and regional authorities.

90 drones launched from Russia, 56 intercepted

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 90 long-range explosive drones — including Shahed UAVs and decoys — from Millerovo, Oryol, and Kursk starting at 23:20 on 28 May. Air defense units, electronic warfare teams, and mobile fire groups reportedly neutralized 56 drones, of which 10 were shot down and 46 suppressed electronically.

“A distinctive feature of the airstrike was the targeting of sites in frontline territories,” the Air Force noted, highlighting a shift from Russia’s typical focus on rear cities and infrastructure.

Impacts were confirmed in nine locations across Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk oblasts.

Local authorities also reported bomb and artillery strikes, as well as short-range drone attacks.

Sumy Oblast: Civilian casualties and widespread strikes 

Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported that a man was killed and a woman seriously injured in Bilopillia from a drone strike last night.

The authorities reported more civilian casualties over the past 24 hours. In Esman community, a 74-year-old woman died following a Russian guided bomb attack. Earlier injuries were also reported in Khotin (woman born in 1950) and Berezivka (man born in 1991).

Authorities confirmed 140 Russian strikes across 39 settlements in 14 communities, with the heaviest shelling in Sumy and Shostka districts.

Donetsk Oblast: Kostiantynivka hit twice, one killed; another death and 13 injuries yesterday 

At 04:20 on 29 May, a Russian FPV drone strike on Kostiantynivka killed one person and damaged a detached house, the city mayor reported. Another FPV drone hit the same city an hour later, damaging another residence.

On 28 May, Russian attacks killed one civilian in Donetsk’s Rivne and injured 13 others across Donetsk Oblast, according to the regional authorities.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Homes destroyed in aerial bombings, civilians searched under the rubble 

Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that five Russian guided aerial bombs hit Verkhnia Tersa early on 29 May, destroying several homes. Authorities stated that civilians were trapped under debris, though further details were pending.

Over the preceding day, Russian forces conducted 397 strikes on 10 settlements. A 49-year-old man was wounded in a separate attack in Polohy District yesterday

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Three civilians injured in attacks 

According to Governor Serhii Lysak, artillery and drone strikes on Nikopol district injured a 61-year-old man and damaged several homes and solar panels. In Novopavlivka, two civilians were injured by guided bombs; one house was destroyed and two more damaged.

Kherson Oblast: Two killed, multiple injured in drone attacks 

Kherson Oblast Military Administration confirmed two civilian men were killed in Berislav when a Russian drone dropped explosives on them.

A Russian morning strike injured a 1931-born man in Kherson’s Dnipro Raion with blast trauma. A 57-year-old man in Bilozerka and a 38-year-old man in Kherson city were also hospitalized from earlier drone attacks.

Additionally, authorities reported a total of 10 injuries across the oblast in the last 24 hours.

Russia is expanding its missile reserves, increasing drone production, and modifying drone technologies as part of a long-term military strategy to achieve its war objectives in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on 26 May. These developments signal Russia’s full commitment to securing victory through military means in a protracted conflict, according to the think tank.

ISW stated that Russia’s growing stockpile of ballistic missiles, rising drone output, and ongoing drone adaptations demonstrate a sustained effort to strengthen its strike capabilities. The Economist, citing Ukrainian government sources on 25 May, reported that Russia has accumulated around 500 ballistic missiles. At the same time, Moscow is reportedly producing about 100 Shahed explosive drones per day — roughly four to five times the daily output estimated in late 2024.

Ukrainian military intelligence told The Economist that Russia intends to increase this drone production to 500 units per day, although no specific deadline was mentioned. Engineers in Ukraine noted that Russian forces are actively modifying Shahed drones to overcome Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. These upgrades include the use of artificial intelligence and integration with Ukrainian internet and mobile networks for improved navigation.

Following a record 355-drone attack, Russia launches 60 drones—Ukraine intercepts most

New Shahed tactics

A Ukrainian officer interviewed by The Economist stated that Russian drones are flying at altitudes of 2,000 to 2,500 meters, beyond the effective range of small arms and shoulder-fired missiles used by Ukrainian mobile air defense units. On 25 May, Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko, Head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, reported that Russian forces had set a new altitude record with a Shahed drone flight reaching 4,900 meters.

Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, confirmed on 26 May that Russia is producing both Shahed and decoy drones in higher numbers and deploying them at higher altitudes. Ihnat also noted that Russian forces resumed the use of Kh-22 cruise missiles after a period of reduced deployment. According to ISW, the resurgence of large-scale missile and drone strike packages aligns with Russia’s broader strategy of enhancing its domestic weapons production and long-term war preparations.

ISW: Russia ramps up missile strikes and propaganda in bid to crush Ukrainian morale and Western will

Russia’s goals unchanged, but it economy struggles 

Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in a 26 May Ukrinform interview that Russia’s goal of full control over Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts remains unchanged. He warned that Russia is also preparing for a future conflict with NATO, in line with ISW’s assessments.

“ISW also continues to assess that the Russian government and military are preparing for a possible future conflict with NATO. Russian authorities recently renewed their years-long narrative rejecting the legality of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, likely to set conditions for Russia to deny the independence and sovereignty of other former Soviet states in the future,” the think tank wrote.

WP: Trump softens on Putin as Russian battlefield edge declines

Ivashchenko noted Russia’s economic struggles, with its sovereign wealth fund reduced to $38 billion from $150 billion pre-invasion, and highlighted reliance on Soviet-era equipment. He stated that foreign aid from North Korea, China, and Belarus is playing a growing role in Russia’s defense industry.

“Russia’s efforts to increase domestic drone and missile production and ongoing adaptations of these strike packages are likely part of a broader Russian effort to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine and possibly a future war with NATO,” ISW wrote.

Following a record 355-drone attack, Russia launched 60 drones on 27 May, targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure. Air defense intercepted 43 drones, but two civilians were injured in Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy suffered significant damage.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 60 Shahed-type explosive drones and decoy UAVs targeting various regions of Ukraine overnight on 27 May. The attack began at 23:50 on 26 May, and continued through the morning.

Ukraine’s air defense system, which included aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups, successfully neutralized 43 of the attacking drones. Of these, 35 were downed by firepower, while 8 were lost due to electronic warfare suppression.

The Air Forces data suggest that at least 17 drones may have reached their intended targets.

Despite these efforts, Russian drones and the debris of downed UAVs caused damage in several regions.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast hit with injuries and infrastructure damage

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, two people were injured during the attack. Serhii Lysak, the head of the regional military administration, reported that drone strikes targeted agricultural enterprises, detached homes, and a vehicle in the Synelnykive district, specifically in the Mezhivska and Malomykhailivska communities. The attack injured a 54-year-old man, who was hospitalized in moderate condition. Another civilian man was injured in Samar district, according to the report.

Additionally, the Nikopol district was struck by artillery, FPV drones, and explosive devices dropped by drones. The communities of Nikopol, Marhanets, and Pokrovsk also suffered damage. The attacks resulted in the damage of a medical emergency vehicle and a car.

Five Russian drones were reportedly intercepted over Dnipropetrovsk.

Sumy Oblast faces damage to industry and residential areas

Russia also targeted Sumy City, where early morning drone strikes caused significant damage. According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, around 1:30 AM, a drone strike set fire to an industrial building, causing damage to transport vehicles.

Later, at around 4:30 AM, another strike targeted residential buildings, damaging at least seven private houses and one two-story home. The strikes also caused damage to several cars. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in Sumy, the authorities said.

On 25 May, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is conducting a coordinated campaign of military escalation and psychological warfare aimed at weakening Ukraine and eroding Western support.

ISW wrote that Putin “is leveraging long-range strikes against Ukrainian cities, aggressive rhetorical campaigns, and excessive pessimism in the West about the battlefield situation in Ukraine in a multi-pronged effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and convince the West that a Russian victory in Ukraine is inevitable and that supporting Ukraine is futile.”

Russia attacks Ukraine with 355 drones. Zelenskyy says Moscow escalates attacks to defy global diplomacy

According to ISW, Russia has intensified long-range missile and drone attacks over the last eight months, launching seven of the largest combined strikes of the war since January 2025.

Weaponizing pessimism and pressure

ISW emphasized that the Kremlin is simultaneously saturating the information space with calls for Ukraine to accept concessions on sovereignty and territorial integrity. These demands, however, are not new. ISW notes they are in line with longstanding Russian war aims, and this shows that “Russia’s demands have not changed over the last three years of war.”

Trump slams Putin as “crazy” after deadly Russian attack, but also blames Zelenskyy and Biden

Despite the messaging, ISW points out that the battlefield situation has changed significantly since early 2022. Russia has suffered three years of manpower and equipment losses, weakening its military’s capacity to achieve large-scale offensive success.

On the ground, Russian progress stalls

ISW reports that Russian advances have slowed, with forces relying increasingly on poorly trained and poorly equipped infantry to sustain pressure. Nevertheless, Putin remains committed to masking battlefield realities with a media and missile campaign intended to disrupt international unity and end Western military assistance.

“Putin remains deeply committed to distracting from the realities of the battlefield situation, however, as bringing about the cessation of Western military assistance to Ukraine is Russia’s only real hope of winning this war,” ISW concludes.

Russia’s massive missile and drone assault kills at least 12 civilians, injures 52, between two prisoner swaps

In the early hours of 26 May, Russia launched what Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as the “largest drone attack since the start of the full-scale war.” A total of 355 explosive and decoy drones and 9 air-launched cruise missiles targeted Ukraine from various directions including Bryansk, Kursk, and occupied Crimea, according to the Air Force. The air assault targeted factories and residential areas in multiple cities, injuring a teenager in Odesa. Other Russian attacks killed four and injured at least 17 Ukrainian civilians, according to local authorities and Ukraine’s Emergency Service.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting all 9 Kh-101 missiles and neutralizing 288 drones, using a combination of aviation, air defense missile systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups. Despite these efforts, drone impacts were recorded in five locations, and debris fell in ten areas.

Figures from the Air Force indicate that over 60 Russian drones may have reached their targets — marking a notably lower interception rate compared to previous attacks.

Trump slams Putin as “crazy” after deadly Russian attack, but also blames Zelenskyy and Biden

Kharkiv Oblast: Explosions, fires, and casualties

According to Suspilne Kharkiv, 13 explosions were heard starting at 00:33 in Kharkiv. Kharkiv and its suburbs were under Russian drone attack, confirmed by Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration (OVA). In Vasyshcheve near Kharkiv, a private enterprise caught fire after being hit by drones, as reported by the State Emergency Service.

While not attributing any casualties to the Shahed drone assault, Syniehubov stated that over the past 24 hours, other Russian strikes on six settlements in Kharkiv Oblast killed two women, 84 and 58, and injured a 60-year-old man and two women aged 76 and 68. 

Kyiv: Third night of aerial terror

According to Kyiv’s City Military Administration, Kyiv was attacked for the third consecutive night. A six-hour air raid saw damage in Dniprovskyi and Desnianskyi districts, including shattered windows in a residential building and drone fragments hitting a garage and a restaurant area.

Officials reported no injuries.

Russia’s massive missile and drone assault kills at least 12 civilians, injures 52, between two prisoner swaps

Odesa Oblast: Teenager injured, homes damaged

Odesa’s OVA and Emergency Service confirmed that drones caused the destruction of a detached home and fires in Velikodolynske. Several private homes, outbuildings, and vehicles were also damaged.

A 14-year-old boy was injured, suffering leg wounds, and received on-site medical treatment.

Khmelnytskyi Oblast: Missiles and drones hit Starokostiantyniv area

In the Starokostiantyniv community, hosting one of Ukraine’s airbases, Russia used a combined missile and drone strike, according to Khmelnytskyi Oblast head Serhii Tiurin.

Though no civilians were hurt, four enterprises suffered damage to warehouses, workshops, and admin buildings, while 18 residential homes, one outbuilding, and a power line were damaged.

Zaporizhzhia: Two injured in Yurkyvka

Zaporizhzhia’s Yurkyvka village was shelled by Russian forces on 26 May, said oblast head Ivan Fedorov. A 60-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man were injured and received medical assistance. A detached house was destroyed in the attack.

Sumy: One dead, one wounded in artillery strike

Russian artillery hit Kindrativka in Sumy’s Khotin community, killing a 48-year-old man and injuring a 52-year-old civilian, who was treated at the scene, the Oblast Administration reported.

Donetsk Oblast: Six civilians injured

On 25 May, six civilians were injured in Donetsk Oblast due to Russian attacks, regional officials confirmed.

Russia attacks Ukraine with record 273 drones, leaving one dead, multiple injured in Kyiv Oblast

Kherson: Civilian deaths and injuries

Between the mornings of 25 and 26 May, one person was killed and four others wounded in Kherson Oblast, according to its administration.

At around 10:00 this morning, a drone strike in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district injured a 46-year-old woman, who suffered a blast injury and concussion, and was treated as an outpatient.

Poland scrambles jets as precaution

Due to Russian air activity over Ukraine, Poland’s Armed Forces deployed Polish and allied aircraft, warning of increased noise over southeastern Poland.

The operational command called it the second consecutive “very intense night” for their air defense systems.

Zelenskyy: Political message, not military strategy

President Zelenskyy commented that the sheer scale of the Russian air attack had “no military logic”, arguing it was instead a political signal.

“Only the feeling of total impunity can allow Russia to strike like this,” he said.

The Ukrainian President called on international partners to increase sanctions and block Russian oil trade and financial flows to deprive Moscow of its war resources.

“This is how Putin shows his contempt for a world that puts more effort into “dialogue” with him than into applying pressure. Like any criminal, Russia can only be restrained by force. Only through strength — the strength of the United States, the strength of Europe, the strength of all nations that value life — can these attacks be fully stopped and real peace achieved,” Zelenskyy said.

US President Donald Trump responded to a deadly Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which killed at least 12 civilians on 25 May, by publicly denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin and considering sanctions. However, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden, reiterating the war would ostensibly not have started under his leadership.

According to Sky News, Trump spoke to journalists late on 25 May and stated,

“I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”

Russia’s massive missile and drone assault kills at least 12 civilians, injures 52, between two prisoner swaps

He added that Putin is “killing a lot of people.”

“I’ve known him a long time. I always gotten along with him. But he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it.” Trump continued, “I don’t like what Putin is doing. Not even a little bit. He’s killing people. And something happened to this guy, and I don’t like it.”

When asked, he confirmed he is “absolutely” considering sanctions against Russia.

In the wake of the massive air assault, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy denounced Washington’s “silence.” Later, Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg condemned the attack without mentioning Russia or the Russian leadership.

No sanctions, just peace talks: Trump tells EU leaders Putin won’t end war, scraps new sanctions

Trump calls Putin crazy

In a post published on Truth Social early on 26 May 2025, Trump escalated his tone, writing:

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”

He continued:

“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!“

Despite the condemnation of Putin’s actions, Trump went on to criticize President Zelenskyy, stating:

“Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”

He also described the war as one he allegedly would have prevented:

“This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s.’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”

Trump’s misconception about Russia is dangerous, Ukrainian scholar says

In response to Trump’s remarks, Ukrainian scholar Valerii Pekar, author of over 250 articles on management, marketing, information technology, and futurology, commented critically on the US President’s view.

Pekar stated that Trump seems to believe “Putin was always a good guy” who suddenly changed. He argued that this perception reflects a broader Western misconception that Russia deviated from democratic norms under Putin.

Pekar dismissed this idea, noting that Russia “never was a democracy,” citing a brief transitional period after the Soviet collapse lasting only until 1993. He described Russia’s political history as “predatory authoritarianism,” saying Putin fits into a historic pattern of rulers like Ivan the Terrible, Peter I, and Stalin. Pekar also challenged the belief that Russian culture anchors it to Western civilization, calling it “a thin layer of gilding over an ocean of barbarism.”

He concluded that seeing Putin’s regime as a temporary deviation risks major geopolitical miscalculations, as this framing suggests it can simply be waited out, rather than confronted.

Russian forces struck the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast with two powerful aerial bombs on the morning of 25 May, killing two civilians and injuring three more, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.

According to the report, the first strike occurred at approximately 09:26, when a FAB-500 air-dropped bomb hit a one-family home residential area. The explosion killed two women, aged 84 and 57. A 60-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman were injured. A 68-year-old woman suffered an acute stress reaction.

More than 20 homes and outbuildings were either destroyed or damaged in the initial attack.

Russia’s massive missile and drone assault kills at least 12 civilians, injures 52, between two prisoner swaps

Second strike used FAB-1500 bomb with UMPK

The Prosecutor’s Office says roughly 30 minutes after the first explosion, a second airstrike was launched on the same city. Preliminary reports indicate that Russian forces used a FAB-1500 bomb equipped with a Universal Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK), a guidance kit that increases accuracy and allows bombs to be dropped from a distance. 

This second strike damaged at least 15 additional residential buildings. No further casualties were reported in the follow-up attack.

Prosecutors launch war crimes investigations

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office has initiated pre-trial investigations into suspected war crimes under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. Prosecutors, in coordination with police investigators, are conducting procedural actions to document and investigate the strikes carried out by Russian military personnel.

On 25 May, Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans announced that the final F-16 fighter jet pledged to Ukraine will be delivered tomorrow, on 26 May, according to WNL.

Speaking during a broadcast of WNL, Brekelmans confirmed,

“This means that all 24 pledged fighter jets will soon be present in Ukraine.”

Pressure on Russia

Brekelmans condemned Russia’s ongoing aggression, stating that President Vladimir Putin shows “no intention of seriously discussing a ceasefire.”

The minister stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia and continuing broad support for Ukraine.

In addition to the previously announced aid package, Brekelmans confirmed that the Netherlands is actively training Ukrainian pilots and technicians, and sharing military doctrines to help Ukraine build a modern armed force aligned with NATO standards.

Trump confirmed for NATO summit, Zelenskyy participation expected

Brekelmans also confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the NATO summit in The Hague on 24 June. He added that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to participate, although the exact timing of his appearance is still being coordinated.

Dutch F-16s for Ukraine

The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway pledged the F-16 fighter jet supplies to Ukraine, after Washington’s approval in 2023. In July 2024, the Netherlands finalized export clearance for 24 F-16 aircraft. The first jets were delivered to Ukraine in August, although details on quantities and specific contributing countries were not disclosed. Additional shipments from the Netherlands and other partners followed in subsequent months.

Ukraine has sought US-made F-16 fighter jets for years to bolster its air defenses and counter Russia’s air superiority during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.