Russia Unleashes 653 Drones and 51 Missiles, Hits Energy Sites as Talks Proceed
Updated (2 articles)
Massive aerial barrage overwhelms Ukrainian defenses Russia launched 653 combat drones and 51 missiles overnight, prompting nationwide air‑raid alerts on Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day. Ukrainian air force reported shooting down 585 drones and 30 missiles, while 29 separate locations sustained strikes. At least eight civilians were wounded, three of them in the Kyiv region, and debris fell as far west as Lviv[1][2].
Energy grid and nuclear plant suffer critical hits Ukrenergo confirmed coordinated attacks on power stations across multiple oblasts, disrupting electricity supply. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, still under Russian control, lost all off‑site power, forcing emergency cooling of six reactors and spent‑fuel pools, as verified by the IAEA Director General[1][2].
Ukrainian counter‑operations target Russian infrastructure Kyiv reported a drone strike that damaged the Fastiv train station in the Kyiv region. Russian officials claimed their air defenses downed 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and cited a strike on the Ryazan oil refinery, though independent confirmation remains pending[1][1].
Diplomatic negotiations continue despite the assault President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a substantive phone call with U.S. officials in Florida, seeking a post‑war security framework. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are slated to meet Zelenskyy in London, while U.S. advisers push for a mediated peace proposal[1].
Geographic spread underscores vulnerability Drone sightings and debris were reported from western Ukraine (Lviv) to the Russian Ryazan region, indicating the attack’s extensive reach. Industrial facilities and a residential building in Ryazan also suffered damage from falling debris[1].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
AP: Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Talks – Details the full scale of the 653‑drone, 51‑missile strike, energy‑grid hits, Zaporizhzhia power loss, Ukrainian counter‑strikes on Russian sites, and ongoing high‑level talks in Florida and London.
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[2]
King5: Russia launches massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine as talks continue – Emphasizes the same attack numbers, highlights the IAEA’s report on Zaporizhzhia’s power outage, and underscores the continuation of diplomatic discussions in Florida without mentioning the Ryazan refinery strike.
Timeline
Dec 5‑6, 2025 – Russia launches a massive coordinated strike of 653 drones and 51 missiles across Ukraine, triggering nationwide air‑raid alerts as the country marks Armed Forces Day. [1][2]
Dec 5‑6, 2025 – The Ukrainian Air Force shoots down 585 drones and 30 missiles, yet 29 locations are hit and eight civilians are wounded, including three in the Kyiv region. [1][2]
Dec 5‑6, 2025 – Energy infrastructure becomes the primary target: Ukrenergo reports attacks on power stations in several regions, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses off‑site power, forcing emergency cooling of six reactors under IAEA supervision. [1][2]
Dec 5‑6, 2025 – Ukrainian forces strike back, destroying a train station in Fastiv (Kyiv region) and claiming a hit on the Ryazan oil refinery; Russia counters that its air defenses down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. [1][2]
Dec 5‑6, 2025 – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds a substantive phone call with U.S. officials, stressing that progress on a post‑war security framework depends on Russia’s commitment to a long‑term peace. [1]
Dec 6, 2025 – Leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany schedule a meeting with Zelenskyy in London to coordinate diplomatic pressure as U.S. advisers push a U.S.-mediated peace proposal. [1]