Six dead, 80 wounded in Russian retaliatory airstrikes on Ukraine

Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Friday, killing at least six people, Ukrainian officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the country.

The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in strikes deep inside Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said three emergency responders were killed in the missile and drone attacks on the capital. Two more died in an attack on the northern city of Chernihiv, and at least one was killed in the northwestern city of Lutsk.

Eighty people across the country were injured in the attacks, which also struck several other towns and cities.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces carried out the strike on military and military-related targets in response to what it called Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russia.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had used 407 drones – one of the largest numbers recorded in a single attack. It said 45 cruise and ballistic missiles were also fired.

Kyiv's metro transport system was disrupted by a Russian strike that hit and damaged tracks between stations, according to the military administration. The state rail company said it was also diverting some trains due to rail damage outside the city.

(With input from Reuters) 

(Cover: An explosion is seen after a Russian airstrike on Kyiv, Ukraine, June 6, 2025. /VCG)