These are the key events on day 1,198 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Here’s where things stand on Friday, June 6 :
Fighting
Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, where authorities reported drone fragments in at least three districts. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, stated that the strikes caused fires in residential buildings across the city, without any immediate casualties.
Air defense units in Kyiv engaged in repelling Russian drones, as local news outlets reported a series of explosions in the city.
- The Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, under Russian control, experienced repeated gunfire, reportedly aimed at drones targeting the site’s training center, according to the UN’s nuclear watchdog.
- Ukrainian drones reportedly landed on the training center’s roof, marking another attack on the facility. Despite this, the plant’s management confirmed no casualties or damage. The reactors remain in shutdown mode.
- Russia’s investigators opened a criminal case following an explosion that damaged a railway track in the Voronezh region, labeling it as an “act of terrorism”.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, during his daily briefing, described the rail attack as “state-level terrorism”, though no evidence links Ukraine to these attacks, and Kyiv has not acknowledged responsibility.
Politics and Diplomacy
- Russia will respond to Ukraine’s attacks, including a drone strike on warplanes in Siberia, at a time deemed fit by the Russian military, the Kremlin stated, accusing Kyiv of state terrorism while US President Donald Trump downplayed immediate peace prospects.
- Before his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump expressed belief in an eventual peace but mentioned he would consider sanctions on both countries when necessary. He added he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin not to retaliate against Ukraine’s drone attacks.
- North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un promised unconditional support to Russia in its war against Ukraine, anticipating a Russian victory, as per the country’s state media.
- Russia added Artyom Timofeyev, a Russian-born Ukrainian citizen, to its wanted list for reportedly taking part in attacks on Russia’s military airfields, with reports stating he had fled to Kazakhstan.
- The June 1 drone attack damaged but did not destroy Russian warplanes, which will be repaired, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The US assessed that up to 20 warplanes were hit, with roughly half destroyed.
- Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius noted the need for up to 60,000 additional troops to meet new NATO targets, reflecting the heightened threat perception from Russia.
- The US announced the nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next top US general in Europe, who will also serve as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
- Russia’s Federal Security Service accused British intelligence of undermining Russia through the British Council, identifying teachers at leading universities who reportedly cooperated with the charity. This has escalated tensions, with the UK now considered “enemy number one”.
- Slovakia’s parliament, in a sparsely attended session, approved a resolution urging against support for new sanctions against Russia, signaling potential shifts in the country’s stance on European sanctions.
Economy
- Ukraine’s export losses are projected to reach $800m from June to December this year, following the anticipated end of free European Union market access, reported the country’s central bank deputy governor, Serhiy Nikolaichuk.
