Russia Strikes Back: Missile and Drone Barrage Hits Ukrainian Cities After Drone Attack on Bases

Moscow/Kiev: Russia has started taking revenge for Ukraine's drone attack. Russia has launched a massive ballistic missile and drone attack against Ukraine on the night of June 6, targeting the capital Kiev as well as major cities of the country. This attack comes after Ukraine's 'Operation Spider Web', in which Russian air bases were heavily damaged. It ruined a large part of the Russian bomber fleet. A day earlier, during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin promised to retaliate against Ukraine for the drone attack on Russian air bases.

Amid Russia's latest attack, an air strike alert has been activated in all Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian Air Force warned that several Russian Tu-95 bombers had taken off and that ballistic missiles were also possibly launched. Explosions were reported in Kiev, Ternopil, Khmelnitsky Oblast, Lviv and Lutsk.

Explosions in several places in the capital Kiev

Kiev city administration chief Timur Tkachenko said that several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. He said that air defense systems tried to stop the missile and drone mid-way before they reached the target, due to which the burning debris caused fires in several districts. Explosions and falling debris were reported in several districts, including Solominsky, Holosievsky, Darnitsky, Dniprovsky and Shenchevkivsky.

Four people dead so far

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least four people were killed. Another 20 people were injured, 16 of whom were hospitalized. Authorities urged residents to seek shelter in a safe place. "Our air defense forces are doing everything possible but we have to protect each other - stay safe," Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.

Authorities reported damage in several districts and rescue workers were carrying out relief and rescue operations in several places. Regional military administration chief Dmytro Bryzhinsky said an explosion occurred near an apartment building in Shahed Dron in the northern Chernihiv region, shattering windows and doors. He said cases of ballistic missile explosions were also reported on the outskirts of the city.