Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit attends a meeting in Mineralnye Vody, Russia, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
At least 11 civilians have been killed and over 80 injured in the latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine. Among the injured are seven children, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes, mostly involving drones, come amid an escalating phase in the three-year-long war, with both sides heavily relying on unmanned aerial weapons.
Deadly Strikes Across Multiple Ukrainian Cities
Overnight, Russian forces launched more than 100 drones targeting civilian areas. In Odesa, one person was killed. Another died in Kharkiv, where 71 were wounded. Falling drone debris damaged buildings in two districts of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
In Sumy, close to the northern border, Russian short-range drones killed two people and injured two others. Authorities confirmed that Sumy remains a key area where Russia has concentrated a large number of troops.
Further east, in the Donetsk region, seven people were killed and nine injured in separate attacks. Regional governor Vadym Filashkin did not specify the type of weapons used.
Ukraine Faces Mounting Pressure on Frontlines
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Monday that Russia had stepped up its attacks across the front line. In the past week alone, Russia launched 1,270 drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 glide bombs at Ukraine.
Zelenskyy admitted Ukrainian forces are stretched thin along the 1,000-kilometer front. With delays in U.S. military aid and no visible progress in peace talks, Ukraine is now turning more urgently to its European allies.
Ukraine Boosts Drone Arsenal Amid Troop Shortages
To compensate for its limited manpower, Ukraine is accelerating drone production. Over the weekend, Zelenskyy announced new deals with European nations and a U.S. defense firm to manufacture hundreds of thousands of drones.
These include interceptor drones aimed at countering Russia’s long-range Shahed drones. The goal is not only to improve defensive capabilities but also to keep Russian troops from gaining ground along weakened Ukrainian lines.
Drone warfare has emerged as a critical factor in this conflict.
Both nations now use drones not only for surveillance and strikes but also for targeting infrastructure and military mobilization centers.
Mobilization Centers Targeted Again
Russian long-range drone strikes hit Ukrainian military recruitment centers for the third time in five days. Ukraine’s Army Ground Forces called the attacks a clear attempt to disrupt mobilization and recruitment efforts.
Regional officials in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia confirmed at least 17 more people were injured in those latest attacks.
Russia Claims Defense Successes, But Questions Remain
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Monday that its air defenses had shot down 91 Ukrainian drones overnight. The drones were reportedly intercepted across 13 Russian regions, the Black Sea, and Crimea — the peninsula Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
Despite the reported interceptions, Russia has struggled to shield key regions from Ukraine’s growing drone capabilities.
Airports in Moscow and St. Petersburg recently experienced widespread disruptions due to drone threats, grounding hundreds of flights.
Russian Transport Minister Found Dead After Sudden Firing
In a separate development, Roman Starovoit, Russia’s recently dismissed transport minister, was found dead in what officials described as an apparent suicide. The announcement came just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his post.
While the Kremlin did not give a reason for the firing, Russian media linked his dismissal to an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of state funds. These funds were earmarked for fortifications in the Kursk region, where Starovoit previously served as governor.
The alleged financial mismanagement has been cited as one reason for Russia’s weakened defenses, particularly during Ukraine’s surprise incursion into the region in August 2024.
Conflict Continues with No End in Sight
The latest escalation highlights the evolving nature of the war in Ukraine. With both sides deploying advanced drones and intensifying attacks, the human toll continues to rise. Civilians remain the most vulnerable, caught in a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.
