Russian forces conducted the third largest combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on the night of June 16 to 17. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 440 Shahed and decoy drones from the directions of Kursk, Oryol, and Bryansk cities; Shatalovo, Smolensk Oblast; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai.[1] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles from the airspace over Tambov Oblast, 16 Kh-101 cruise missiles from the airspace over Saratov Oblast, four Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea, nine Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from the airspace over Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts, and one Kh-31P anti-radar missile from an unspecified location. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces shot down 239 drones, one Kh-47M2 missile, 15 Kh-101 missiles, and seven Kh-59/59 missiles and that 163 drones, one Kh-47M2 missile, one Kh-59/69 missile, and one Kh-31P missile were “lost” or suppressed by Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems. Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat reported that the Shahed and decoy drones targeting Kyiv City flew from different directions, including along the Dnipro River and from the east and west.[2] Ihnat and Kyiv City Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko stated that Ukrainian authorities found remnants of cluster munitions at the site of missile explosions, and a Ukrainian source posted footage reportedly showing a Russian missile with cluster munitions striking Kyiv City overnight.[3] Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes hit residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv City and Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhia oblasts.[4] Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties in Kyiv and Odesa cities and Chernihiv Oblast.
The June 16-17 strike series heavily targeted Kyiv City and hit residential areas in the capital, as Russian officials and milbloggers called on Russia to intensify its strikes against Ukraine.Kyiv City officials reported that Russian forces launched 175 drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles against the city overnight.[5] Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported that the strikes killed at least 15 people in the city and injured at least 114.[6] Ukrainian officials stated that a Russian ballistic missile hit a nine-story apartment building in Solomianskyi Raion, collapsing the entrance to the building and destroying 30 apartments.[7] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces struck other civilian and residential infrastructure across Kyiv City.[8] The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (UN HRMMU) reported on June 17 that Russian forces struck at least 30 locations across seven raions in Kyiv City.[9] The UN HRMMU reported that the last strike against Kyiv City with comparable or higher civilian casualties was the July 8, 2024, strike that killed at least 32 civilians and injured 85, including at the Kyiv City Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital.[10] First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee Alexey Zhuravlev advocated on June 17 that Russia should intensify its strikes against Ukraine to prevent Ukraine from regrouping and receiving additional Western aid.[11] A Russian milblogger called for Russia to expand and multiply its strikes as long as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is president.[12]
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced that North Korea would send 6,000 sappers and military engineers to help with reconstruction efforts in Kursk Oblast. Shoigu met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang on June 16 during Shoigu’s second visit to North Korea in June 2025.[13] Shoigu stated that Kim agreed to send 1,000 North Korean sappers and 5,000 North Korean military construction workers to demine and reconstruct Kursk Oblast. ISW previously observed reports that North Korean military personnel and “technical advisers” were operating in occupied Donetsk Oblast, including near occupied Donetsk City and Mariupol.[14] Russia may deploy North Korean sappers and engineers to occupied Ukraine in engineering and support roles in the future.
The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced sanctions packages against Russia on June 16 and 17.[15] The UK sanctioned additional parts of Russia’s financial, military-industrial, and energy sectors, including Russia’s shadow fleet and its operating companies.[16] The UK also sanctioned two UK residents accused of helping to supply Russia with over $120 million worth of electronics. The EU Council renewed its sanctions package that targets the import of products from occupied Crimea into the EU and the export of goods and technology to transport, telecommunications, energy, oil, gas, and mineral companies in Crimea.[17]
Key Takeaways:
- Russian forces conducted the third largest combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on the night of June 16 to 17.
- The June 16-17 strike series heavily targeted Kyiv City and hit residential areas in the capital, as Russian officials and milbloggers called on Russia to intensify its strikes against Ukraine.
- Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced that North Korea would send 6,000 sappers and military engineers to help with reconstruction efforts in Kursk Oblast.
- The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced sanctions packages against Russia on June 16 and 17.
- Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk.