Key Events on Day 1,199 of Russia’s War Against Ukraine
Here’s the current situation on Saturday, June 7:
Fighting
- At least six individuals were killed in Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and areas across the nation on Friday.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a total of 80 nationwide injuries from these attacks, with three emergency responders killed in strikes on Kyiv alone.
- Two deaths occurred in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, and at least one more in the northwestern city of Lutsk.
- Ukraine’s air force stated that the strikes involved 407 drones and 45 cruise and ballistic missiles from Russia.
- The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for preemptive strikes on the Engels and Dyagilevo airfields in Saratov and Ryazan, Russia, as well as targeting at least three fuel reservoirs.
- Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of retaliating against Kyiv’s drone attack on Russian airfields in Siberia by targeting civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defence affirmed that the strikes aimed at military and related targets in response to what they called Ukrainian “terrorist acts”.
- Western military experts estimated that Russia will require years to replace nuclear-capable bomber planes damaged in Ukrainian drone strikes.
- Russia’s National Guard reported a man killed while attempting a drone attack on a military site in the Ryazan region.
- Russian air defense units neutralized 82 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including areas around Moscow.
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the neutralization of six drones headed towards the city.
- According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, air defenses intercepted 174 Ukrainian drones in 13 regions, with three Ukrainian Neptune missiles downed over the Black Sea.
- A train was derailed in Russia’s Belgorod region due to a bomb explosion on the track, as reported by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Regional Security
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that some US lawmakers lack awareness of Russia’s military buildup, following a meeting with President Trump.
- Reassured by Trump’s commitment to NATO, Merz noted Trump’s clear opposition to the US exiting the alliance.
Politics and Diplomacy
- The Kremlin vehemently condemned Trump’s comparison of the Ukraine war to a child’s squabble, emphasizing the existential nature of the conflict for Russia.
- Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the national importance and future implications of the war for Russia.
- Russia requested the UN nuclear watchdog to mediate discussions between Moscow and Washington regarding US nuclear fuel stored at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant under Russian control.
- Russia’s nuclear energy chief, Alexei Likhachev, indicated a willingness to either utilize or completely remove US-supplied nuclear fuel.
Sanctions
- President Trump has withheld a decision on imposing sanctions against Russia that are under consideration in the US Senate.
Economy
- The Russian central bank unexpectedly lowered its key interest rate by one percentage point, citing decreased inflation pressure and a stronger ruble. This marked the first rate cut since September 2022, amid pressure from business and government officials.
