Russia Launches Devastating Overnight Assault on Kharkiv, Civilian Casualties Reported

 Kyiv, June 7 — In one of the most intense assaults since the onset of its full-scale invasion, Russia launched a coordinated overnight attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, employing drones, missiles, and guided aerial bombs. The strikes killed at least three civilians and injured 22 others, including an infant just six weeks old, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Located mere kilometres from the Russian border, Kharkiv—Ukraine’s second-largest city—has been a persistent target of Russian aggression throughout the war. However, Saturday's attack marked a grim escalation.

"Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war," Terekhov stated via Telegram in the early hours of the morning.

The city endured dozens of explosions throughout the night, as Russian forces deployed a combination of missile strikes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and guided bombs. The coordinated assault inflicted widespread damage on both public and private infrastructure. Residential apartment complexes, private homes, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure were all hit, according to local officials.

Images released by regional authorities and international news agencies showed charred buildings, mangled vehicles, and emergency workers scrambling to rescue the wounded and clear debris from collapsed structures.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that one civilian industrial facility in the city was specifically targeted with an onslaught of 40 drones, a missile, and four aerial bombs. The attack sparked a significant fire, and search operations were continuing amid fears that more people could be trapped beneath the rubble.

Ukraine’s military reported that Russia launched a total of 206 drones—alongside two ballistic missiles and seven additional cruise or guided missiles—in a broad overnight campaign against Ukrainian territory. Air defence units successfully intercepted 87 of the drones. An additional 80 drones were either diverted by electronic warfare systems or identified as decoys not equipped with explosive payloads.

According to military sources, at least ten locations across Ukraine sustained direct hits during the assault.

The renewed intensity of attacks on Kharkiv underscores growing concerns over Russia’s continued targeting of civilian infrastructure in frontline regions, as the conflict enters its fourth year with no diplomatic resolution in sight.