**Russia’s Aerial Assault on Ukraine: Drones and Destruction**
In a shocking display of military might, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine in the early hours of June 11. The assault, which targeted several regions, including Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Odesa, resulted in at least three deaths, 57 injuries, and widespread destruction.
**Kharkiv Under Fire**
The city of Kharkiv bore the brunt of the attack, with 17 Shahed drones striking the Slobidskyi and Osnovianskyi districts within a span of just 10 minutes. The impact was devastating, with multi-story residential buildings, private homes, playgrounds, businesses, and public transport suffering significant damage.
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, described the scene as “burning apartments, destroyed roofs, scorched cars, broken windows.” Seven children were among those injured in the attack. Emergency services worked tirelessly to rescue people trapped in burning buildings, while others helped each other amidst the chaos.
**Regional Targets and Casualties**
The Ukrainian Air Forces reported that Russia launched a total of 85 drones across the country on June 11. The main targets included Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Odesa regions. Of these, Ukraine’s military managed to neutralize 49 drones.
In addition to Kharkiv, other regions were also targeted. In the Odesa region, damage was reported to summer houses, cars, and boats. Fortunately, no one was injured in this attack.
**Previous Weekend’s Shelling**
Just a few days prior, on June 7, Kharkiv had faced heavy shelling by Russian forces. Six people were killed, and 23 others were injured during that attack. Five people remain missing under the rubble of a factory.
Kharkiv’s Regional Military Administration head, Oleh Syniehubov, called out Russia’s actions as an attempt to terrorize local civilians and businesses. “Russia cannot come to terms with the situation on the battlefield and increasingly terrorizes our local population,” he stated.
**Russian Claims and Counter-Attack**
In a bizarre twist, Russian authorities claimed that they had carried out strikes on military targets in Ukraine on June 10, without mentioning Kharkiv specifically. However, Ukrainian forces reported no such attacks on their territory.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported shooting down 32 drones over its own territory. The majority of these interceptions occurred in the Voronezh region, with smaller numbers in Kursk, Tambov, and Rostov regions.
In a rare instance of Russian military activity being targeted, a gunpowder factory in the city of Kotovsk was reportedly hit by an unknown projectile on June 11. Local residents described hearing multiple explosions and reported seeing air defense systems active in the area.
**Conclusion**
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, it is clear that both sides are engaged in a high-stakes game of military might. The latest drone attack highlights the dangers faced by civilians living in the midst of this conflict.
“We are holding on. We help each other. And we will definitely stand firm,” declared Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov. As Ukraine struggles to cope with these relentless attacks, it remains to be seen how long this can continue without severe consequences for all parties involved.
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