Key facts
- Russia is intensifying air attacks on Ukrainian cities.
- Russia's battlefield advances have significantly slowed.
- Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on June 9 killed at least 10 people and injured over 100 across Ukraine.
- Ukraine's Air Force intercepted 146 of 168 drones launched in one incident.
- Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg and its surrounding region.
- President Vladimir Putin rejected an offer for peace talks from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Russia launched overnight strikes near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
- Ukraine's forces struck a Russian oil depot and other military targets.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz in London.
- Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory are reportedly fueling discontent within Russia.
Russia is intensifying its air attacks on Ukrainian cities, including near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in an effort to compensate for stalled battlefield advances and stiffer Ukrainian resistance. Analysts suggest this strategy aims to break Ukraine's will to fight and mask Moscow's weaknesses, as Russian gains have significantly slowed compared to the previous year. Overnight missile and drone attacks on June 9 resulted in at least 10 deaths and over 100 injuries across Ukraine. Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 146 of the 168 drones launched.
These Russian strikes followed Ukrainian drone attacks on St. Petersburg and its surrounding region, which occurred hours after President Vladimir Putin rejected an offer for peace talks extended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Details on damage and casualties from the St. Petersburg strikes were not immediately available. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed its forces also struck a Russian oil depot and other military targets in response to Russian actions.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London. Discussions focused on defense cooperation, air defense systems, and diplomatic prospects for ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The increasing Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory are reportedly bringing the war home to Russian citizens, leading to a rise in discontent within Russia.