Kharkiv hit by most powerful attack of entire war, mayor says, as Russia pounds Ukraine again
CNNJUN 4
Russia Launches Attack on Kharkiv, Killing Three
Above: Firefighters extinguish a fire at a civilian plant following an attack on Kharkiv early on June 7, 2025. Image copyright: Sergey Bobok/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian airfields were a legitimate military operation targeting strategic bombers used against Ukrainian cities. The attacks successfully damaged over 40 Russian aircraft and demonstrated Ukraine's capability to strike deep into Russian territory. In contrast, Russia's massive retaliation against civilian areas in Kharkiv is pure terrorism against innocent people.
Pro-Russia narrative
Ukraine's sneak drone attacks constituted war crimes involving perfidy and terror tactics against civilian infrastructure. These provocative strikes gave Russia every right to respond with massive force, as even U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged. Kyiv's refusal to accept prisoner exchanges and fallen soldiers' bodies shows its priority is controlling narratives over human dignity.