Russia launched its largest airstrike since the start of the conflict, targeting the capital Kiev on the night of June 9 and many other areas of Ukraine, killing at least two people and damaging a series of infrastructure.
The attack lasted all night, with a series of loud explosions echoing throughout Kiev, making the sky lit up with fires and thick columns of smoke. At least four people have been hospitalized after seven of the capital's 10 districts were hit, according to city officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called it one of the largest attacks on Kiev ever. He said that Russia's Shahed-style missile and UAV attacks are overshadowing all international efforts to promote peace.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had launched a total of 315 UAVs across the country, of which 277 were shot down. All 7 missiles were also successfully intercepted. However, the attacks still caused significant damage to civil infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the port city of Odesa, an overnight UAV attack targeted an emergency medical facility, a social housing area and residential buildings. Odesa region governor Oleh Kiper confirmed the two men were killed. However, all patients and staff of the orphanage have been safely evacuated.
Russia said this was an act of retaliation for Ukraine's recent attacks on strategic bomb squads and bridges inside Russia on June 1. These incidents have killed seven people and injured dozens others.
At the same time, Moscow had to temporarily suspend flights at four airports near the capital, Pulkovo airport in St Petersburg and nine other cities due to Ukraine launching more UAVs into Russian territory. Although some airports have resumed operations, limitations remain in St. Petersburg. Petersburg at the last minute of recording.
Chief of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Timur Tkachenko, said it was a difficult night for all of us, stressing the severity of the attack. A report from the air force said that in just the past week, Russia has used 1,451 UAVs and 78 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Although both sides denied deliberately targeting civilians, the conflict has killed thousands of people, mostly Ukrainian citizens. In the context of peace negotiations not having made significant progress beyond the exchange of prisoners, tensions continue to escalate.
