Key Developments on Day 1,197 of the Ongoing Ukraine-Russia Conflict.
Here’s the latest update on Thursday, June 5, 2025:
Conflict Update
- In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Russian drone strikes have targeted residential buildings, resulting in fires and injuries to at least nine individuals, as reported by the city’s mayor early Thursday morning.
- Ukrainian drone attacks have also targeted energy facilities in the Russian-controlled areas of Zaporizhia and Kherson, according to officials installed by Russia. Vladimir Saldo, the governor appointed by Russia for Kherson, noted that 97 localities, affecting around 68,000 residents, are now without electricity.
- The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that their forces have seized control of the settlements of Ridkodub in eastern Ukraine and Kindrativka in the Sumy region.
- Regarding Ukraine’s recent attack on the Crimean Bridge—an important roadway and rail connector built by Russia—the Kremlin confirmed an explosion occurred but stated that the bridge remains intact.
Ceasefire Negotiations
- President Vladimir Putin expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s desire for peace, alleging that Ukrainian leaders are responsible for a bombing in Western Russia that resulted in seven fatalities and 115 injuries.
- Describing the attack, which targeted a highway bridge over a railway, as a “terrorist” act, Putin claimed it was aimed at derailing ongoing peace talks.
- During a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin indicated that he would have to respond to Ukraine’s drone strikes aimed at Russia’s nuclear-capable bomber fleet in Siberia.
- Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to Putin, stated that the Russian leader characterized the ceasefire discussions as generally beneficial, despite Ukraine’s attempts to undermine them.
- Unidentified U.S. officials have informed Reuters that a Ukrainian drone attack in Siberia damaged approximately 20 Russian warplanes, with around 10 being destroyed—a figure that falls short of the estimates provided by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, warned that the risk of escalation in the conflict is “increasing significantly” following the Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend.
- Zelenskyy suggested establishing a ceasefire until a meeting can be convened with Putin, stating, “I believe our partners can support this proposal for a truce with the Russians until we can meet,” during a press briefing in Kyiv.
- The Vatican disclosed that Pope Leo called upon Russia to take measures towards ending its military actions in Ukraine during his first phone conversation with Putin.
Global Diplomatic Efforts
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Security Council secretary, reaffirming his unconditional support for Moscow’s stance on Ukraine.
- Ukraine has been invited to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, as stated by Mark Rutte, the head of the military alliance.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to convey to Trump that Europe remains steadfastly supportive of Ukraine and that every opportunity for peace must be seized, as highlighted by Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul.
- Wadephul also mentioned Germany’s push for new sanctions against Moscow, advocating for collaboration with the U.S. amidst accusations that Russia is not genuinely engaging in peace negotiations.
- In discussions with U.S. officials, Ukraine has been working on activating a minerals fund by year’s end, with its inaugural meeting expected in July, according to Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s economy minister and deputy prime minister, during her visit to Washington, D.C.
- Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. during his trip.
- Partners of Kyiv have expressed their willingness to finance defense manufacturing by Ukrainian companies operating abroad, as stated by Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov after meetings with Western allies in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
- The UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey announced plans to increase drone deliveries to Ukraine tenfold, aiming to supply 100,000 units.