Photo : Anadolu Ajansi
Photo : Anadolu Ajansi
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 09 June, Euronews reported that Russia launched a total of 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine, targeting the western regions. According to a statement by Ukraine’s Air Defence, they have dodged around 479 drones. Moscow launched 479 Shahed-type attack drones, decoy UAVs, 10 Kh-101 cruise missiles, three Kh-22 missiles, and many more. Head of the Communication Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Colonel Yuri Ihnat, stated that the attack made by Russia targeted the Ukrainian airfields. Ukraine issued an aerial alert warning multiple regions of the ballistic missiles launched by Russia.
On 10 June, Deutsche Welle reported that Russia launched drone attacks on Kyiv and Odesa, with one dead and four wounded. According to the regional Governor of Odesa, one of the drones hit a maternity hospital and an emergency medical facility, and residential buildings.
On 09 June, The Moscow Times reported that Ukraine launched drones at an electronic factory in Chuvashia. Regional head Oleg Nikolayev confirmed that there are no casualties in the attack. Two drones landed on the VNIIR plant, one of Russia’s largest manufacturers of electronic components and now they have temporarily shut down for the safety of the people. Two more drones fell nearby, but they did not cause major damage or pose a threat to the people.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 09 June, Euronews reported on the confirmation made by the Russian Defence Ministry, on receiving the injured and severely wounded prisoners, and has not provided any further details on the same.
On 09 June, The Kyiv Independent reported that the Russian court has sentenced two Ukrainian soldiers of the Azov Brigade to 20 years in prison on charges of allegedly killing civilians from Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Russia held several trials with the Ukrainian prisoners of war, especially with the Azov Fighters. Russia accuses sniper Ruslan Orlov and Paramedic Artem Movikov of the deaths of three. There has been no response from Ukraine so far on this matter.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 09 June, Euronews reported that following the peace talks in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia have begun the exchange of the injured prisoners and the youth who are under 25. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the beginning of the exchange of the captives, which will continue in several stages. According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that they have received the first batch of prisoners that include the navy, ground forces, air force, national guard, border guards, territorial defence and the special transport service. For security reasons, Kyiv did not expose the number of people that were released, but has confirmed that the prisoners who were in Russia for three years have been returned to their respective families.
On 09 June, Euronews reported that according to the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, has urged the member countries to increase their air and missile defence by 400 per cent in the coming five years to protect the bloc from any possible attack, and warned that Moscow would be preparing for the same. Rutte visited London, where he emphasised to the members to agree to hike the military spending, which will be discussed in the Hague, at the upcoming NATO Summit. He added that Russia is progressing significantly in comparison to NATO, especially in the production of ammunition, and it must leap to keep up with them. Rutte has proposed the target of five per cent, where 3.5 per cent goes for military spending and 1.5 goes to defence-related expenditure such as roads, bridges, airfields and seaports.
On 09 June, Ukrinform reported that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in a joint press conference with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys in Kyiv, said that considering Russia’s attacks on civilians, Ukraine will target and destroy Russian military infrastructure following the Operation Spider Web. Both leaders discussed the security of Ukraine, Lithuania and the Baltic states, and the calculated steps to bring Ukraine into the EU and NATO. Sybiha emphasised the need for a strong “Euro-Atlantic Ukraine” to counter Russia.
References
“Russia attacks Ukraine with nearly 500 drones and missiles in latest record strike,” Euronews, 09 June 2025
“Ukraine and Russia commence new prisoner of war exchange,” Euronews, 09 June 2025
“Russia sentences 2 Azov fighters to over 20 years in prison,” The Kyiv Independent, 09 June 2025
“NATO must boost air and missile defences fourfold to counter Russia's threat, Rutte says,” Euronews, 09 June 2025
Shakeel Sobhan, “Ukraine updates: Russian drones target Kyiv, Odesa,” Deutsche Welle, 10 June 2025
“Sybiha: As long as Russia attacks civilians, Ukraine will eliminate its tools of terror,” Ukrinform, 09 June 2025
“Russia carries out 'massive' drone attacks on Kyiv, Odesa,” France 24, 10 June 2025
“Ukrainian Drones Strike Electronics Factory in Chuvashia,” The Moscow Times, 09 June 2025