Russia launched its biggest drone and missile barrage in months on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, killing six and injuring nearly 80 people over the weekend drone strike. Ukrainian officials are calling the attack “terrorism” amid mounting tensions and failed prisoner exchange negotiations.
🔥 Friday Night Horror in Kharkiv
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that 48 drones, two missiles, and four glide bombs hit residential and industrial targets late Friday, June 7, 2025. The strikes damaged 18 apartment buildings and dozens of homes, injuring a baby and a 14-year-old girl.
According to BBC News, Russian drones targeted a civilian factory with 40 kamikaze drones. Authorities fear that more victims are trapped under rubble as rescue operations continue.
Another wave of glide bomb attacks struck Kharkiv drone strike on Saturday evening, killing at least one more person and injuring 18 others drone strike.
⚔️ Moscow’s Justification & Escalation
Moscow claims its latest bombardment was retaliation for Ukrainian “terrorist attacks” inside Russia, including bombings on railway infrastructure and air bases. Russian officials blamed Ukraine for an attack that killed seven people and wounded over 100 in western Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Kharkiv attacks “pure terrorism,” asserting that the strikes made “no military sense.” He accused Vladimir Putin of escalating violence to “buy time” and demanded increased international pressure.
For deeper context, explore our Russia-Ukraine war timeline.
🕵️ Operation Spider’s Web: Ukraine’s Covert Drone Offensive
The escalation follows Ukraine’s daring long-range drone operation known as “Operation Spider’s Web.” Ukrainian officials say they struck four Russian airbases with 117 drones last week. The drones were reportedly hidden in wooden cabins on trucks and launched from within Russian territory.
The operation damaged at least 40 aircraft, according to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), sending a powerful message to the Kremlin and Western allies alike.
Watch Ukraine’s released footage of the attack on Russian airfields here.
🔁 Prisoner Exchange Talks Collapse
Despite a tentative agreement during Istanbul talks, both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating terms for a large-scale prisoner of war (PoW) exchange. Russia claims that over 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were prepared for handover, but Ukrainian officials did not show up.
Ukraine strongly denies this, accusing Russia of providing “inaccurate lists” and uncoordinated actions. The Ukrainian Co-ordination for PoWs office says a date for the repatriation of remains was never finalized.
Get the full breakdown of Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts.
📣 Trump Weighs In: Controversial Comments
In a controversial statement, U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukraine had provoked Russia with its airfield attacks. “They gave Putin a reason to bomb the hell out of them,” he said during a Friday briefing. Trump claims Putin warned him about inevitable retaliation in a phone call earlier that week.
Trump’s remarks have been widely criticized for appearing to justify Russia’s civilian-targeted attacks.
🧭 War Update: No End in Sight
- Russia still controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
- Kherson, another southern city, also saw deadly strikes, killing at least two.
- Peace talks remain stalled; Ukraine demands an “unconditional ceasefire.”
- Russia continues to reject those terms, insisting on its own conditions for negotiations.
🛑 Conclusion: Civilian Suffering Deepens
With cities like Kharkiv facing relentless air attacks and civilians bearing the brunt of military escalation, the war’s humanitarian toll continues to rise. As both sides dig in, the international community faces mounting pressure to mediate a lasting peace and provide urgent aid to Ukraine’s war-torn regions.
Stay tuned for verified updates on Ukraine’s resilience and international diplomatic moves.