KYIV, Ukraine — A significant drone attack by Russian forces targeted several parts of Ukraine overnight on Wednesday, resulting in three fatalities and injuries to 64 individuals, according to Ukrainian officials.
The city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine bore the brunt of the assault, with 17 attack drones striking two residential neighborhoods, as reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Emergency responders, along with local workers and volunteers, were active throughout the night, extinguishing fires, rescuing residents trapped in their burning homes, and aiming to restore essential services such as gas, electricity, and water.
“These are normal, peaceful community areas that should never be targeted,” Terekhov emphasized in a message on Telegram.
The death of three individuals was confirmed by Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov. Moreover, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the need for intensified international pressure against Moscow after the incident, stating that 64 people had suffered injuries.
“Every day brings new insidious Russian assaults, and each strike is significant,” Zelenskyy declared. “We must act without hesitation to implement new measures that could complicate matters for Russia. Without such actions, diplomatic engagements will not be genuine, and this largely depends on the United States and other global leaders. Everyone advocating for an end to this violence and diplomacy should take action now.”
In recent days, waves of drones and missiles have been consistently launched by Moscow’s forces, with a record 500 drones onslaught on Monday, followed by a strike involving 315 drones and seven missiles Tuesday night.
These attacks are occurring despite ongoing discussions concerning a possible ceasefire in the conflict. On June 2, during peace talks held in Istanbul, both parties exchanged memorandums outlining conditions for peace; however, these documents included stipulations that were considered unacceptable by either side, making a swift settlement appear improbable.
**Zelenskyy Calls for Stricter Sanctions**
At a meeting in Odesa with leaders from Southeast European nations, Zelenskyy urged the European Union to intensify the latest sanction package under preparation.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned on Tuesday that the bloc is considering reducing the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45, a move to diminish profits funneled to the Kremlin for its war activities in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy encouraged the EU to enforce an even lower cap, suggesting that “authentic peace requires a $30 cap — that would gravely alter perceptions in Moscow.”
“All can see — Putin does not intend to halt this war,” he declared to his audience. “His belief is rooted in ongoing conflict and dominance over neighbors as a means of remaining politically relevant.
“But regardless of his beliefs, we must position Russia in a scenario where it is compelled to pursue peace and political survival through non-military avenues. This is absolutely achievable.”
**Significant Wreckage**
Kharkiv has frequently been a target in recent months as Russian forces have repeatedly launched substantial drone and missile bombardments on its civilian infrastructure.
Wednesday’s assaults resulted in extensive damage across Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi and Osnovianskyi districts, damaging apartment complexes, private residences, playgrounds, industrial locations, and public transport facilities. Images circulated by Ukraine’s Emergency Service on Telegram depicted scorching apartments, shattered glass, and firefighters battling the blaze.
“We persevere with strength. We lend each other a hand. And we will endure,” Terekhov stated. “Kharkiv stands as a bastion of Ukraine. It cannot succumb.”
Ukraine’s air force reported that 85 attack and decoy drones were directed at the nation overnight. Out of these, air defense structures destroyed 40 drones, while nine others failed to meet their intended targets without inflicting any damage.
**’Repatriation of the Fallen’**
Meanwhile, Russia has returned 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies as part of an agreement established during the Istanbul discussions between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, officials said.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that the bodies originated from regions such as Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, as well as Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops had entered. Identifying these bodies remains a priority for authorities.
Russia has also received the remains of 27 soldiers, part of a reciprocal exchange with Ukraine, announced Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s delegation at the Istanbul discussions.
International Committee of the Red Cross spokesperson Pat Griffiths revealed that the ICRC was involved in the repatriation process as neutral observers, providing technical advice and ensuring monitoring.
“The return of deceased individuals is a crucial step for authorities, preserving the dead’s dignity,” Griffiths noted. “It offers closure to families and resolves endless uncertainty as they anticipate news about their loved ones.”