Russian Drone Strikes Kill Civilians in Ukraine; Zelenskyy Demands Stronger Global Action

Kyiv, June 5, 2025 — In one of the deadliest aerial assaults in recent weeks, Russian drone strikes on Thursday claimed multiple civilian lives across Ukraine, intensifying global calls for enhanced defense support to the war-torn country.

The northern city of Pryluky was hit before dawn, where six drones struck a residential neighborhood, killing five people, including a one-year-old boy, his mother, and grandmother. Heartbreakingly, the child was the grandson of the local fire chief, who was actively responding to the emergency when his family perished. Six others were hospitalized with injuries.

Almost simultaneously, Kharkiv Ukraine’s second-largest city and just 30 kilometers from the Russian border faced another wave of strikes. Seventeen people, including children, were wounded as Russian drones damaged multiple apartment buildings. Kharkiv has been a consistent target in the ongoing conflict, bearing the brunt of cross-border drone and missile barrages.

The deadly strikes occurred hours after a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, leading to speculation about the implications of their conversation and its possible link to renewed hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the attacks as “acts of terrorism,” urgently appealing to international allies for more robust support, including enhanced air defense systems and tighter sanctions on Russia. “How many more children must die before the world draws a red line?” he asked in a televised address.

Responding to the escalating situation, Germany and other NATO allies pledged additional air defense systems and increased funding for Ukraine’s domestic defense manufacturing. The European Union also signaled intentions to intensify sanctions targeting Russian defense exports and drone technology suppliers.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, with fears mounting over the potential for further escalations and worsening conditions in already devastated regions.