Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the U.S., Europe and other countries to ramp up pressure on Russia after it launched large-scale drone and missiles attacks on Ukraine on Friday (June 6).

Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Friday and three people were killed, Ukrainian officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the country.

More than 400 drones and 40 missiles had struck Ukraine, Zelenskiy said.

The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KYIV, UKRAINE (JUNE 6, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SINGING UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

2. AUDIENCE FILMING WITH THEIR MOBILE PHONES

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"Everyone is a bit sleepy, right? But just a bit, right? They (Russians) will not get what they want." / (AUDIO OF AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

4. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING ZELENSKIY

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"During the night, more than 400 strike drones, more than 40 missiles, including ballistic ones, were launched. Russian strikes damaged residential buildings in Kyiv, city infrastructure. In Lutsk, Volyn region, they destroyed an ordinary hotel where Ukrainian athletes stayed."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"Please, I ask you to support all the efforts to put just pressure on Russia, to support diplomacy, political and economic pressure. Please urge for new effective sanctions against Russia and their regime for the sake of putting an end to murders and strikes, for the sake of reaching real peace, for the sake of real responsibility of Russians for the war."

8. ZELENSKIY STEPPING AWAY FROM LECTERN, AUDIENCE APPLAUDING