Fresh Russian drone attacks, a proposed Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, and new US support measures highlight growing diplomatic
June 5, 2026: At least seven people were killed in Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, including four workers at a children’s dairy products factory near Kyiv. Authorities said the attack caused extensive damage and triggered a major fire. Additional fatalities were reported in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine continued exchanging large-scale drone attacks overnight, with Moscow claiming to have intercepted 123 Ukrainian drones and Kyiv reporting the destruction of 198 Russian drones.
Amid the fighting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and offered a full ceasefire during negotiations. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also urged Putin to engage in peace talks, stressing that Europe must be involved in any future settlement. At the same time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced a localized ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to allow repairs to a critical power line, describing it as an important step for nuclear safety.
On the diplomatic front, the US House of Representatives passed the Ukraine Support Act, which includes reconstruction assistance, loans, and fresh sanctions on Russia. The legislation received support from some Republicans despite opposition from President Donald Trump and now faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Meanwhile, Putin is expected to address economic and geopolitical issues at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where the ongoing war in Ukraine is likely to remain a central topic.