Military Action in Ukraine: Moscow Declares Russian Forces to Determine "When and Where" to Respond to Recent Offensives by Kyiv
Ukraine's Aerial Aggression Sparks Russia'sResponse, as Tensions Escalate
Russia's counteraction to Ukraine's drone assaults on multiple Russian airfields, as announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov on June 5, will unfold "whenever and however that our military deems suitable," during his daily briefing. After a phone call with Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump had cautioned Russia would respond to these attacks. Over the weekend, Ukraine targeted Russian military aviation at various airfields, reaching thousands of kilometers beyond its borders, following a covert operation to smuggle explosive drones into Russia. Stay up-to-date with our live coverage.
Five Lives Lost Following Russian Drone Strike. Ruins in Prylouky, a town in the Chernihiv region, experienced damaged residential buildings, as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities on June 5. In the morning, President Volodymyr Zelensky reproached this new Russian attack on civilians, blaming Moscow for continually trying to "buy time to continue the killing." Photos released overnight portrayed houses engulfed in flames in the dark.
"For God's sake, don't treat belligerents the same," Emmanuel Macron pleads. The French President urged on June 5 that Russian and Ukrainian belligerents should not be deemed equivalently, during a joint press conference with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who maintains a neutral stance regarding the Ukrainian conflict. "There's an aggressor, it's Russia. There's a victim, it's Ukraine," the head of state emphasized.
Casualties Pile Up in Other Cities. In Kharkiv, a substantial city in the northeast neighboring the Russian border, regional authorities reported 19 injuries, including four children, resulting from Russian strikes. In the south of the country, in the Mykolaiv region, a Russian drone attack on a minibus carrying civilians severely injured a 70-year-old man, according to governor Vitali Kim.
Pyongyang Pledges Unwavering Backing for Moscow. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Choïgou. Kim's government pledged to support "Russia's stance and its foreign policy on all essential international issues, including the Ukrainian issue," according to the official North Korean news agency KCNA.
In-depth Analysis:
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict persists in an unresolved state, characterized by ongoing military engagement and political tensions. Ukrainian forces have been making advances near Toretsk, indicating continued resistance against Russian forces. The air war is growing increasingly intense, with increased airstrikes, allegedly leading to higher civilian casualties. In the diplomatic sphere, prisoner of war exchanges and economic pressures are being employed by both parties.
The Russian military is estimated to have sustained over 790,000 soldiers killed or injured, with significant losses in military equipment, such as 21,999 vehicles and equipment destroyed. Ukraine has reported approximately 400,000 soldiers killed or injured, alongside fewer losses in military vehicles and equipment compared to Russia. Furthermore, Russia typically responds to drone attacks with increased military operations, including airstrikes and missile launches.
- In the realm of general news, discussions about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict extend beyond war-and-conflicts to politics, as world leaders express their views on the ongoing clash. For instance, French President Emmanuel Macron recently urged that Russian and Ukrainian belligerents should not be considered equally.
- Crime-and-justice matters are also intertwined with this conflict, as civilian casualties continue to pile up in various cities, resulting from Russian military actions, like the drone strike in Prylouky that left five people dead.
