Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv

 Kyiv, Ukraine – June 6, 2025

Russia unleashed a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, targeting the capital Kyiv and multiple regions across the country in one of the most intense bombardments of the ongoing conflict. The attack, which involved over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, including ballistic and cruise types, resulted in significant casualties and damage, with Ukrainian officials reporting at least four deaths and dozens injured in Kyiv alone.

A Night of Terror in Kyiv

The assault began in the early hours of Friday, June 6, 2025, with air raid sirens echoing through Kyiv for over five hours. Residents sought shelter in metro stations and underground car parks as the sky lit up with explosions from Ukrainian air defenses intercepting incoming drones and missiles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that four people, including three emergency responders, were killed, and 20 others were injured in the capital. Debris from intercepted projectiles sparked fires in residential buildings, a shopping mall, and other civilian infrastructure, with damages reported across six city districts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as targeting “almost all of Ukraine,” listing regions such as Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed 407 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones, alongside 44 missiles, with 406 projectiles either shot down or neutralized. Despite the robust defense, the sheer scale of the attack overwhelmed some systems, leading to widespread destruction.

Retaliation for Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb”

The bombardment follows Ukraine’s audacious “Operation Spiderweb” on June 1, 2025, a drone strike that targeted Russian airfields, destroying or damaging 41 strategic bombers, including nuclear-capable aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin had vowed retaliation, a warning conveyed through a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes were a response to Ukraine’s “terrorist acts,” targeting military sites, though civilian infrastructure bore the brunt of the damage.

Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating, “Russia must be held accountable for this. Since the first minute of this war, they have been striking cities and villages to destroy life.” He urged Western allies to intensify sanctions and pressure on Moscow to end the conflict, now in its fourth year.

International Reactions

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously called Putin’s actions “crazy,” indicated that additional sanctions on Russia were under consideration but stopped short of committing to immediate action. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, meeting with Trump, emphasized that the violence stemmed from Russia’s invasion and pressed for stronger measures. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported gunfire at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, raising concerns about the safety of critical infrastructure.

A Fragile Path to Peace

The attack comes amid stalled peace efforts. Earlier in May, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 1,000 prisoners each in Istanbul, marking a rare moment of cooperation. However, talks for a ceasefire have faltered, with Russia rejecting Ukraine’s demand for an unconditional pause in fighting. The latest escalation underscores the challenges of achieving a lasting resolution as both sides continue to intensify their military operations.

As Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities recover from the devastating strikes, the resilience of the Ukrainian people remains evident. Firefighters and emergency responders worked through the night to extinguish blazes and assist residents, while Zelenskyy vowed to continue defending the nation. The international community now faces renewed pressure to act decisively to curb the escalating violence.

Image Description: A dramatic nighttime scene in Kyiv shows a fiery explosion illuminating the sky above a residential building, with smoke rising from the impact site. Ukrainian air defense systems light up the darkness as they intercept incoming drones, while debris scatters across the city streets below.