New wave of Russian air strikes: Kyiv and Odessa under fire!

New wave of Russian air strikes: Kyiv and Odessa under fire!

On June 17, 2025, Ukraine will again be hit by massive air strikes from Russia. Similar to the past few days, there were numerous fires in Kiev and other parts of the country. According to the Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, 27 foci are now registered, including residential buildings, educational institutions and critical infrastructures. Mayor Vitali Klitschko informed about Telegram that the population could hear numerous explosions and the noises of drones and rockets.

A tragic event has already occurred in the capital: a US citizen was fatally injured in the attacks. This incident underlines the persistent danger that comes from the Russian air strikes. Power failures were also reported in Kiev, while the Ukrainian Air Force speaks of a massive attack with around 140 drones and their imitations.

Details about the attacks

The Ukrainian armed forces were able to intercept 125 of the drones used, but the danger situation remains tense. Compared to the previous week, in which almost 500 drones were used, today's attack scenario was less extensive, but was still significant. Mayor of Moscow, Sergej Sobjanin, announced that two Ukrainian drones were shot down by the Russian air defense units. Emergency teams are currently employed by examining the crashes in Moscow.

The port city of Odessa was also affected by numerous drone attacks, which was confirmed by the city's mayor. These developments are part of a broader offensive that Russia has been launching for over three years to destabilize Ukraine.

The military strategy of Russia

According to the Ukrainian “Operation Spiderweb”, which was able to take targeted attacks on Russian bombers, Russia has increasingly changed its strategy. Civil goals are increasingly being targeted, which led to a significant increase in air raids. In 2024, the average number of daily air floors was less than 420. This number has risen sharply in the last few days due to the aggressive approach of Russia.

Analyzes show that the efficiency of the Ukrainian air defense has now dropped from 85-90% to around 70-75%. This is mainly due to the fact that Russia has improved its tactics and plans with an increased production of Geran drones that can attack in enthusiasm. These drones reach speeds of 400 to 450 km/h and are difficult to intercept. In addition, Russia uses deception that imitate the radar reflection of their attack drones to outsmart air defense.

The goal of these attacks remains clear: the destruction of the Ukrainian infrastructure and the break of the morality of the civilian population. Historically, however, such attacks are difficult to break the morals of citizens solely through air strikes, according to experts.

In this tense situation, support from abroad is of crucial importance. Great Britain has announced that the Ukraine make two ships available to clear mines in the Black Sea and to secure export routes.

The current developments once again show the increased intensity of the conflict and the impending humanitarian crisis that arises. Regardless of the military successes, the future stability of the region remains at risk.

For detailed information about the events in Ukraine, the following articles can be read: Kleine Zeitung , ZDF and Quellen: