Russia Launches Drone Strike Killing 5 in Ukraine Following Putin's Retaliation Promise During Trump Call
Tragic Russian attack on Ukraine claims at least five lives, including a 1-year-old, shortly after Trump-Putin phone call.
A deadly Russian drone strike struck the city of Pryluky in Ukraine's Chernihiv region, leaving at least five civilians dead, including a one-year-old boy, his mother, and grandmother. The attack came within hours after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, fueling renewed tensions and fears of further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
According to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, six drones targeted Pryluky late last night. The aftermath was catastrophic for one first responder who, upon rushing to the scene, discovered that his own family—his wife, daughter, and infant grandson—were among those killed when a drone struck their home. Zelenskyy highlighted the tragic loss, emphasizing, “this is already the 632nd child lost since the full-scale war began,” underscoring the pervasive toll the war continues to take on Ukraine’s civilian population.
The devastating strike occurred shortly after Trump revealed details from his phone conversation with Putin, describing the discussion as "good" but cautioning that it would not lead to "immediate peace." Trump disclosed that both leaders addressed Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian military assets, including an assault on docked warplanes, and that Putin expressed a determination to respond forcefully.
The timing of the Pryluky attack has raised suspicions that it could be a direct retaliation by Moscow for the Ukrainian drone offensive earlier this month. On June 1st, Ukraine reportedly launched strikes against airfields in both Serbia and Russia’s far north, targeting strategic bombers. U.S. intelligence estimates suggest that up to 20 planes may have been damaged or destroyed in those raids—a significant blow to Russian air power in the region.
In response to the latest Ukrainian attack on its airfields, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that damaged military aircraft would undergo repairs, signaling Moscow's resolve to maintain its military capabilities. As the back-and-forth escalates, the civilian cost continues to grow, with overnight airstrikes across Ukraine resulting in further deaths and injuries, including children, according to local reports.
The sequence of events highlights the fragile state of diplomacy, despite high-level communications between world leaders. With no immediate prospects for peace and retaliatory strikes intensifying on both sides, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire. Calls for restraint and renewed dialogue are growing, but for many families in regions like Pryluky, the toll of war is already incalculable.
