Russia’s Deadly Drone and Missile Strikes on Kyiv Escalate Ukraine Conflict

KYIV, June 6, 2025 - Russian drone and missile attacks struck Kyiv overnight, killing at least four people and wounding more than a dozen, intensifying the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The assault, which damaged Kyiv’s metro infrastructure and left over 2,000 households without power, comes days after Ukrainian drones destroyed several Russian strategic nuclear bombers, prompting President Vladimir Putin to vow retaliation.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported ongoing rescue operations, warning that the death toll may rise. The strikes, which also hit western Ukraine’s Lviv and Ternopil regions, disrupted power supplies and industrial infrastructure, while Russia reported drone attacks on its own territory, including Moscow, Engels, and Belgorod, with no fatalities but significant damage. The escalation signals a faltering U.S.-led peace effort, raising fears of a broader conflict.

Devastation in Kyiv and Beyond

The overnight barrage targeted Kyiv’s critical infrastructure, partially shutting down a key metro line, with repairs expected to take 24 hours, according to Kyiv Metro officials. Ukraine’s energy provider, DTEK, reported power outages affecting thousands of households in the capital. In western Ukraine, three missiles struck the Lviv region, damaging industrial facilities, while Ternopil faced similar power disruptions, local governors confirmed.

The attacks follow a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian air bases, which destroyed at least two Tu-22M3 bombers, critical to Russia’s nuclear arsenal, according to a February 4, 2025, statement from Ukraine’s military. Putin, in a call with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week, described the Ukrainian operation as a direct challenge to Moscow’s security, vowing a strong response.

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Russia Faces Counterattacks

Russia reported intercepting 174 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including 10 near Moscow, where three airports were temporarily closed for safety but have since reopened. In Engels, Saratov region, a drone strike ignited a fire at an industrial site and damaged a residential building, while in Belgorod, an explosion disrupted rail service.

Kaluga saw drone debris fall on a highway, but no deaths were reported. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the drone attacks were repelled, though the incidents highlight Ukraine’s growing capability to strike deep into Russian territory, a development that has alarmed Moscow and complicated ceasefire talks.

Did You Know?
In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began with a massive missile and drone assault on Kyiv, marking the start of a conflict that has claimed over 50,000 civilian lives, according to UN estimates.

International Stakes and Stalled Peace Efforts

The latest strikes underscore the fragility of diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its third year. The U.S., under President Trump, has pushed for negotiations, but Putin’s retaliatory actions suggest little progress. Ukraine’s government, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for increased Western military aid, citing Russia’s violations of international law.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on February 5, 2025, that over 10 million Ukrainians remain displaced, with civilian infrastructure bearing the brunt of the conflict. The attacks on Kyiv, a symbolic and strategic hub, signal Russia’s intent to maintain pressure, while Ukraine’s strikes on Russian soil demonstrate its resolve to retaliate, risking further escalation.