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Russia’s war against Ukraine
The Russian army attacked Kherson city center with guided bombs early on June 5. The Kherson Regional Administration building, shops, cars, and nearby structures are damaged. (Olexandr Kornyakov/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC “UA:PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb. At least four people in Kyiv were killed in the attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported. Casualties and damage have also been reported in the western Ukrainian cities of Ternopil and Lutsk.
‘Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight,’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war. President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them.
Russia bombs central Kherson, partially destroys regional administration building. Russian forces launched high-explosive bombs at the center of Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson on June 5, hitting and partially destroying the Regional State Administration building and damaging several surrounding structures.
Russia’s response to Operation Spiderweb is likely ‘not going to be pretty,’ Trump says. U.S. President Donald Trump warned on June 5 that Russia’s response to Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb is likely “not going to be pretty,” following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day prior.
Russian weapons plant hit by drones in Tambov Oblast, media reports attacks across country. The JSC Progress Plant in the city of Michurinsk, which produces aviation and missile control systems, came under fire on June 6. Attacks were also reported in Russia’s Saratov, Moscow, Tula, Belgorod, and Kaluga oblasts.
Russia’s Engels oil refinery ablaze after reported drone attack in Saratov Oblast. Governor Roman Busargin claimed that a fire broke out at an unspecified “industrial enterprise” in Engels, as locals shared footage of an oil depot in flames. The Kristal Plant refinery supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.
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‘Not destroyed but damaged‘ — Russia claims it will repair bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb. In addition to supply-chain challenges brought upon economic sanctions, Russia would also likely face challenges due to the complexities of Soviet-era technology present in the aircraft, if it were to attempt to restore the bombers.
Damage, disruptions reported following explosion on train tracks in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast, official claims. Ukraine’s intelligence agencies as well as Ukrainian partisan movements have previously been involved in sabotage attacks on Russian railways, disrupting the transport of military cargo toward the front line.
Putin tells new pope Kyiv seeks to escalate war, urges Vatican support for Moscow-linked church in Ukraine. Russia wants the Vatican to “take a more active role” in advocating for what it described as freedom of religion in Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement on June 4 following recent diplomatic contacts.
Russia plans to produce 2 million FPV drones in 2025, Ukrainian intelligence says. The ramp-up marks a critical expansion of Moscow’s drone warfare program, as both Ukraine and Russia increasingly rely on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and front-line attacks.
Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says. The strike reportedly destroyed one Iskander missile launcher and seriously damaged two others.
Russia impersonating Ukraine’s security service to recruit saboteurs, SBU warns. The SBU said this marks a notable escalation and shift in Russia’s recruitment strategy.
Without justice, war will come back, veteran reporter says
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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers
Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike on June 5 targeting a concentration of Russian missile troops near Klintsy in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported.
Photo: Wikimedia
EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv’s path to European integration
The end of tariff-free trade comes amid mounting opposition to Ukrainian exports — and Ukraine’s EU accession — from eastern European bloc members, including Poland and Hungary.
Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
5 killed, 9 injured in Russian drone strike on Chernihiv Oblast. According to Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus, at least six Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones were used in the assault.
International response
In show of unity, US nominates next chief of NATO’s European command. U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on June 5, reaffirming a key American role in NATO’s military structure.
‘Deadline is in my brain‘ — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.
‘Time to put an end to insanity of war,’ Brazil’s Lula told Putin, calls for restraint following Operation Spiderweb. “I said (to Putin) it’s time to open our eyes and to put an end to the insanity of war, which destroys everything and builds nothing,” Brazilian President Lula da Silva told reporters during a visit to France.
Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions. The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry.
Trump privately praises Ukraine’s drone strike on Russian bombers as ‘badass,’ Axios reports. While Trump has remained silent in public about the attack, he reportedly expressed enthusiasm behind closed doors.
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