Asger Risom
A deadly wave of Russian drone attacks hit Kharkiv overnight, killing civilians and injuring dozens. Meanwhile, Ukraine recovered the remains of more than 1,200 of its troops from the front lines.
Russian drone strikes killed three people and injured over 60—including nine children—in a night-time assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. According to local authorities, 17 drones struck two residential districts. Journalists on the ground reported widespread destruction and charred vehicles.
As reported by linternaute, the attack comes as Moscow steps up daily strikes across Ukraine, with negotiations stalled and conditions worsening on the battlefield.
“I’ve Never Been So Afraid in My Life”
Residents described scenes of panic and devastation.
“We heard them coming… then silence, then the explosion,” said Olena Khoroujeva, a pharmacist who shielded her child from the blast by lying over him. Another resident, visibly shaken, told AFP, “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.”
Kharkiv, located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has suffered a spike in large-scale night attacks in recent weeks. On Friday night alone, the city endured what officials described as the most powerful assault since the war began.
Mass Repatriation of Fallen Soldiers
In a separate development, Ukraine announced the recovery of 1,212 bodies of its soldiers killed in action—one of the largest such efforts since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Details on where and how the remains were recovered have not been disclosed.
Despite continuing violence, Ukraine and Russia managed a large-scale prisoner exchange on Monday and Tuesday, marking the only tangible outcome of early June’s direct negotiations in Istanbul.
Front Expands, Diplomacy Stalls
While Russia intercepts increasing numbers of Ukrainian drones over its territory, its own military advances are expanding. Moscow recently deployed additional troops to Dnipropetrovsk, a central region previously untouched by direct ground combat. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, face mounting pressure across multiple fronts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to “act, not fear” in the face of escalating attacks. “This must force Russia to commit to real diplomacy,” he said, insisting the burden lies with Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously promised to resolve the war “within 24 hours,” has stepped back in recent weeks.
European leaders, meanwhile, warn of “massive new sanctions” against Russia if a 30-day ceasefire is not agreed—but without U.S. backing, their leverage appears limited.