Russia carried out one of its most intense airstrikes on Kyiv in over three years of war, while a deadly drone assault struck a maternity ward and residential areas in the southern port city of Odesa, Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday.
The overnight attacks come just a day after what Kyiv described as the largest drone assault of the war, marking a sharp escalation in Russia’s aerial campaign across Ukraine. Authorities say the strikes killed at least two people and wounded several others, further deepening the toll on civilians.
“Today was one of the largest attacks on Kyiv,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “Russian missile and Shahed drone strikes drown out the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace.”
Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Zelenskiy urged international partners to impose additional sanctions on Moscow and bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the call, pressing for immediate action from allies.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had launched a staggering 315 drones overnight, with 277 intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. All seven missiles launched by Russian forces were also shot down, according to the military.
As reported by Reuters, loud explosions rocked Kyiv throughout the early hours of Tuesday, lighting up the skies and leaving thick plumes of smoke over the capital. City officials said seven out of ten city districts were struck, with at least four people hospitalized.
“A difficult night for all of us,” said Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration.
The ongoing violence prompted Russia to temporarily suspend flights overnight at multiple airports, including four serving Moscow, St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, and airports in nine other cities. While most flights resumed by early Tuesday morning, restrictions remained in place in St. Petersburg at 0430 GMT. No damages were reported.
Odesa Maternity Hospital Among Targets in Southern Strikes
In Odesa, a drone strike caused damage to an emergency medical facility, a maternity ward, and nearby homes. Regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that two men were killed, though all patients and staff were safely evacuated from the hospital.
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
The Kremlin has described the latest wave of attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, including assaults on strategic bomber bases and explosions on bridges on June 1, which reportedly killed seven and injured many more.
In the last week alone, Ukraine says Russia has fired 1,451 drones and 78 missiles in attacks across the country.
What about the peace talks?
Despite two recent rounds of direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, little progress has been made beyond agreements on prisoner exchanges. Both sides continue to blame each other for the failure to end the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
