Russia Launches Major Airstrike on Kharkiv as Tensions Escalate
On the night between Friday and Saturday, Russia initiated a severe airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, located in the east near the border with Russia. This attack resulted in at least three fatalities. Mayor Igor Terekhov characterized it as the largest assault on the city since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. He reported that the strike utilized drones, missiles, and glide bombs, which are outfitted with advanced navigation systems able to cover longer distances than conventional drop bombs.
According to reports, over 40 explosions were recorded during the assault. The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, noted that the drones targeted civilian infrastructures, including a nine-story apartment building and various commercial establishments.
In addition to the Kharkiv airstrikes, Russia also conducted attacks in Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine near Crimea, resulting in at least two additional deaths. Emergency responders were dispatched to tackle the aftermath of a Russian strike on a residential building in Kharkiv, which took place on June 7, 2025.
In recent weeks, Russia has been escalating its aerial bombardments, vowing to retaliate for a significant drone attack carried out by Ukraine the previous Sunday. Meanwhile, direct negotiations between the two nations aimed at establishing a ceasefire have yet to yield fruitful results.
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