In one of the deadliest escalations of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, leaving Kharkiv reeling under what officials have described as the “most powerful” strike on the city since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The Kharkiv attack, carried out with a combination of missiles, drones, and guided bombs, killed at least five people and injured over 20 more across Ukraine.
A City Under Siege
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and located just 50 kilometres from the Russian border, bore the brunt of the assault. According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, at least three civilians were killed and 17 others, including two children, were injured in the Kharkiv attack.
“This is the most powerful [attack] on Kharkiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion,” Terekhov said on Telegram. He reported that the city was struck with 48 Iranian-made drones, two missiles, and four guided bombs in the early hours of June 7.
“Drones are still circling above,” he warned at 4:40 am (01:40 GMT), while air raid sirens blared across the city. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure suffered severe damage.
Thick smoke and towering flames rose into the air following the overnight Russian assault on Kharkiv. [Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images]
Ukraine’s Air Defence Efforts
The Ukrainian air force confirmed that Russia launched a total of 215 air assault vehicles, including missiles and drones. Of these, Ukrainian defences successfully intercepted and destroyed 87 drones and seven missiles. In the most recent wave, the Air Force stated that 174 air vehicles were downed.
Despite these efforts, the Kharkiv attack left apartment buildings in flames, with scenes of rescuers pulling survivors from ruins. One resident, Aliona Lukianova, described her experience: “When they [drones] started buzzing closer and closer… we hid behind the wall in the corridor. We sat down on the floor and then it hit.”
Southern Cities Also Targeted
The city of Kherson in southern Ukraine also faced devastation. A couple was killed in their home due to Russian shelling, and residential buildings were damaged, confirmed regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Dnipro, two women aged 45 and 88 were injured during separate attacks.
These attacks followed a Thursday missile strike in Kharkiv that wounded 18, including four children. The rising intensity of Russian assaults appears to be part of a broader campaign of escalation in recent weeks.
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A Pattern of Retaliation
Moscow claimed the Friday and Saturday assaults were in response to Ukrainian “terrorist acts,” including last week’s drone operations deep into Russian territory. Ukraine reportedly used smuggled drones in a coordinated strike that damaged military aircraft at Russian airbases, including in Siberia.
In a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his determination to retaliate. “For us, it is an existential issue,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted, reinforcing Russia’s refusal to accept a ceasefire.
Diplomatic Stalemate and Prisoner Exchanges
Amid the violence, diplomatic efforts continue to stall. On Monday, Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for the second round of peace talks but made little progress beyond agreeing to exchange bodies and prisoners of war.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters said it had submitted lists of prisoners for exchange, accusing Russia of “unilateral actions” that disregarded the agreed approach. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, however, claimed that Ukraine failed to show up at the designated exchange point.
Both sides have accused each other of manipulation, further straining already fragile negotiations. Ukraine maintains it is ready for constructive dialogue, while Russia insists it is adhering to agreements.
Public Reactions and International Concerns
The Kharkiv attack has triggered international concern, with Ukrainian officials urging the global community to increase pressure on Moscow. “Kharkiv had a particularly terrible night,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, calling for more support to “put an end to Russia’s killing and destruction.”
Photos from the scene show firefighters extinguishing blazes in charred buildings, rescuers assisting dazed civilians, and emergency crews tending to the wounded. These haunting images have intensified calls for intervention and humanitarian aid.
Ongoing Warfare and the Way Forward
As the war enters its third year, the scale of destruction continues to grow. Russia claims it intercepted 36 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, while Ukraine reportedly downed a Russian Su-35 fighter jet near the Kursk region.
Despite the devastation wrought by the Kharkiv attack, Ukraine remains resolute. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a summit with Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to seek a resolution, although Russia’s demands remain unchanged—namely, Ukrainian withdrawal from occupied territories, halting NATO ambitions, and ceasing all Western military cooperation.
Conclusion
The June 7 Kharkiv attack underscores the ferocity and unpredictability of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. As missile strikes, drone bombardments, and shelling devastate cities and claim lives, diplomatic solutions seem elusive. With civilian infrastructure increasingly in the crosshairs, the international community faces growing pressure to push for de-escalation and sustained peace talks.
The tragic events in Kharkiv mark a grim milestone in a conflict that shows little sign of abating. With both sides digging in and external actors weighing their responses, Ukraine’s call for global solidarity remains more urgent than ever.
