Russian drone strikes hit two districts of Kharkiv on June 11, killing two people and injuring many others, according to Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov. The attack included 17 drone strikes, which directly hit multi-story buildings, private homes, playgrounds, businesses, and public transport.
The strikes caused fires in a five-story building in the Slobidskiy district, with 15 units burning. Several houses in the Osnovyansky district were also damaged. Terekhov described the scene, saying, “Apartments are burning, roofs are destroyed, cars are burnt, and windows are broken.” He warned that people may be trapped under the rubble.
Despite the destruction, Terekhov remained resolute: “We are holding on. We are helping each other. And we will definitely survive. Kharkiv is Ukraine. And it cannot be broken.”
Nine people, including a 2-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, were hospitalized due to injuries, said Oleh Synyehubov, the governor of Kharkiv region, on Telegram.
Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian cities has escalated despite ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. Moscow continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire.
The attack on Kharkiv follows other large-scale assaults in the past week, with Moscow claiming that the bombings are in retaliation for drone strikes that destroyed numerous long-range bombers across Russia.
In the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on June 10 that the U.S. budget for 2026 would reduce military aid to Ukraine. “We believe that a negotiated peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation’s interests,” Hegseth told a congressional committee.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhiy confirmed that U.S. military aid is still arriving, and Ukrainian diplomats are working to ensure its continuation. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also mentioned that the Trump administration has not yet made decisions on future aid, as it remains focused on ending hostilities.
Meanwhile, most of the committee’s questions to Hegseth focused on the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles to assist over 4,100 National Guard troops with protecting federal buildings and personnel amid protests over immigration enforcement. Hegseth indicated that the use of U.S. military forces within the country might expand, stating, “National Guard and Reserves will become a critical component of how we secure the homeland.”
