Here’s the latest update on Day 1,200 of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as of Sunday, June 8, 2025:
### Current Situation
#### Escalated Hostilities
– Overnight, Russian military forces targeted the eastern city of Kharkiv with drones, missiles, and precision bombs. This intense assault has resulted in at least four fatalities and over 60 injuries, including that of an infant, as reported by local authorities.
– Mayor Ihor Terekhov described this surge in violence as the most severe since the onset of the full-scale invasion, sharing the news on Telegram.
– The ongoing conflict has also seen casualties elsewhere; three individuals lost their lives in the heavily contested Donetsk region, while another three were killed in Kherson, which remains partially under Russian control, according to AFP.
– Russian forces have reportedly seized a portion of the Yunakivka-Sudzha highway in the Sumy region, which Ukrainian troops had used for support operations in the Kursk area, as noted by Russian news outlet TASS.
– In a significant development, Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces launched a total of 206 drones, alongside two ballistic and seven other missiles. Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepted 87 drones, with an additional 80 drones reportedly lost during the assault.
– Additionally, Ukraine’s Air Force achieved a noteworthy success by shooting down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in operations around Kursk.
– President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kiev had recently destroyed three Iskander missile systems and inflicted damage on Russian military helicopters, emphasizing that any challenge to Russian capabilities strengthens Ukraine’s defense.
– German military officials indicated that a recent Ukrainian operation has disrupted approximately 10% of Russia’s long-range bomber fleet, although they noted that Moscow still retains the majority of its strategic bombers.
– In a retaliatory move, Russian authorities claimed that a Ukrainian drone strike in the Moscow region resulted in two injuries. Additionally, they reported intercepting and destroying 36 Ukranian drones on Saturday.
#### Delayed Prisoner Exchange
– Tensions are rising surrounding the planned exchange of 6,000 deceased soldiers, as both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for jeopardizing the arrangement made during discussions in Istanbul.
– Vladimir Medinsky, leading the Russian negotiation team, accused Ukraine of postponing the exchange at the last minute, claiming refrigerated trucks carrying over 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies arrived at the designated site just as news of the halt emerged.
– Ukraine dismissed these claims as “dirty games,” insisting that Russia is misrepresenting facts.
– The Ukrainian authority handling such exchanges stated that no specific date has been set for the return of bodies and accused Russia of presenting inconsistent lists of prisoners for repatriation.
#### Military Aid and Diplomacy
– President Zelenskyy urgently requested increased support from the United States, particularly air defense systems, given the recent deadly strikes on Kharkiv. This appeal follows his earlier public request for U.S. Patriot air defense systems back in mid-April.
– Meanwhile, French officials announced that a local automotive manufacturer is preparing to produce drones within Ukraine.
– Canada confirmed military assistance worth 35 million Canadian dollars (approximately $25.5 million), which includes armoured vehicles like the Coyote and Bison.
#### Diplomatic Efforts
– Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that they have requested the U.S. to resume direct flights between the two nations and lift restrictions on Russian diplomats in the U.S.
– However, he noted a lack of enthusiasm from American officials regarding this proposal.
This update encapsulates the intense and evolving dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.