Russia Launches Large Aerial Assault on civilian population across Ukraine
Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack across Ukraine overnight, in one of the most extensive single assaults since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The strikes, which began on the evening of 5 June and continued into the early hours of 6 June, killed at least four civilians, injured more than twenty, and caused widespread damage to residential and energy infrastructure.
According to Ukrainian officials, the barrage included up to 400 Shahed-type drones, nine Kh-101 cruise missiles, and multiple ballistic missiles launched from a range of positions inside Russia and occupied Crimea. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat confirmed that all nine Kh-101 missiles were intercepted, alongside 233 drones. However, several unmanned aerial vehicles penetrated air defenses, igniting fires and striking civilian targets.
Kyiv Suffers Civilian Losses and Infrastructure Damage
The capital Kyiv was among the primary targets.
A drone struck a 16-storey apartment building in the Solomianskyi district, sparking a fire that led to the deaths of four people, including three emergency responders.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 20 injuries across the city, 16 of whom required hospitalization. Fire also broke out near the city centre, covering more than 5,000 square feet.
Fragments from intercepted drones and missiles damaged windows, buildings, and power lines across the city. The Kyiv Metro temporarily suspended service in parts of the system, while air defense batteries and machine gun teams operated throughout the night to repel incoming threats.
Western Regions Targeted
In Ternopil, officials described the attack as one of the most intense on record. Russian forces launched a combination of Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones, striking industrial sites and key infrastructure. Emergency services responded to multiple fires and structural damage across the region.
Attacks also reached the northern city of Chernihiv, where a Shahed drone exploded near a high-rise building, damaging residential areas.
In the western cities of Lutsk and Rivne, energy facilities and civilian buildings were damaged.
The Lviv regional governor, Maksym Kozytskyi, reported that air defense systems downed three missiles over the region. No casualties were reported in Lviv, though air raid sirens remained active throughout the night.
Donetsk region
Russian forces continued their assault on the Donetsk region, injuring six civilians and causing widespread damage across several communities.
In Kostiantynivka, eight separate attacks involving bombs, drones, and artillery left two civilians wounded and damaged 11 private homes, two garages, and three vehicles.
In the village of Krynytsia, within the Oleksandrivka community, seven Russian drones injured two civilians and struck six homes, a shop, a garage, and a civilian car.
Two more people were wounded in Pokrovsk after shelling damaged a private residence.
In Myrnohrad, two KAB-250 aerial bombs dropped by Russian forces damaged three homes and 15 garages. Sloviansk came under attack from six enemy drones, damaging an auto repair shop, a non-residential building, 11 civilian vehicles, and critical infrastructure.
Odesa Hit in the South
In southern Ukraine, Odesa sustained significant drone strikes. A residential building in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district was partially destroyed, and fires broke out across several private homes. A 14-year-old boy was injured, according to Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper. Local emergency services reported the affected area measured approximately 100 square meters.
Poltava region
In the Kremenchuk district, Russian strikes damaged administrative buildings, homes, several businesses, and a café. Three people were injured, according to Volodymyr Kohut, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration.
Broader Context and Strategic Objectives
The Russian assault appears aimed at pressuring Ukrainian morale, disrupting energy infrastructure, and signalling retaliation ahead of renewed international discussions on security guarantees and aid.
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the overnight strikes as “deliberate attacks on ordinary cities.” He called for increased sanctions on Russia and additional Western support, particularly in the form of air defense systems and long-range precision weapons.
Civilian Infrastructure and Power Systems Targeted
Beyond casualties, damage to Ukraine’s energy sector remains a persistent Russian objective. One of the fires in Kyiv was reported near the CHP-5 power plant, a significant part of the capital’s heating and electricity grid. Ukraine’s energy ministry has not yet released a full assessment of the damage.
