By Sama Marwan,
The conflict in Ukraine continues with intensified Russian attacks and ongoing diplomatic maneuvering.
Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine on June 7, employing 206 drones and 9 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukraine reported downing 87 Russian combat drones, while 80 others were neutralized by electronic warfare systems or disappeared from radars. This follows earlier reports of severe attacks on Kharkiv, which suffered its “most powerful attack of the entire war,” resulting in casualties including three deaths and 19 injuries in Kharkiv alone. A Ukrainian woman and her 6-year-old daughter were also found murdered in Leuven, Belgium.
On the diplomatic front, the Baltic states have issued a joint statement backing Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership, arguing that NATO accession would “consolidate a just and lasting peace.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly hoping for a meeting with US President Trump during the G7 summit in Canada on June 15-17. However, President Trump has appeared to justify Russia’s large-scale attacks in response to Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb” and is reportedly reluctant to confront China over its support for Russia.
Reports also indicate that the Wagner mercenary group announced its withdrawal from Mali on June 6, ending its fight with rebel groups there.
