Deadly Drone Assault Hits Kharkiv, Ukraine Overnight

Kyiv, Jun 11 (AP) Russian forces carried out a new drone assault across Ukraine overnight Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuring an additional 60, according to Ukrainian officials.

One of the areas most severely impacted was the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, where 17 attack drones targeted two residential districts as reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Emergency crews, municipal workers, and volunteers toiled throughout the night to extinguish fires, rescue residents from engulfed homes, and restore essential services like gas, electricity, and water.

"These are ordinary spots of peaceful life — places that should never be targets," Terekhov expressed on Telegram.

Three fatalities have been confirmed, and at least 60 people were injured, including nine children aged between 2 and 15, according to Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov.

Kharkiv has been repeatedly targeted recently as Russia has increased large-scale drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Moscow's forces have deployed extensive numbers of drones and missiles in the past few days, with a record bombardment of nearly 500 drones on Monday followed by a wave of 315 drones and seven missiles overnight Tuesday.

The attacks occur despite ongoing discussions around a possible ceasefire. The two parties exchanged memoranda during direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, which included set conditions. Nonetheless, the presence of clauses deemed unacceptable by both sides renders any immediate deal unlikely.

Wednesday's attacks also inflicted substantial destruction in the Slobidskyi and Osnovianskyi districts, impacting apartment blocks, private homes, playgrounds, industrial sites, and public transportation. Images from the scene shared by Ukraine's Emergency Service on Telegram revealed burning apartments, shattered windows, and firefighters combating the flames.

"We remain resilient. We assist each other. And we will persevere," Terekhov asserted. "Kharkiv is part of Ukraine, and it cannot be broken." Ukraine's air force reported that 85 attack and decoy drones were launched over the country overnight. Air defense systems intercepted 40 drones, while nine failed to reach targets without causing additional damage. (AP)