Russia's revenge in 24 hours: Zelensky's provocations force Putin's hand: Another defeat in Donetsk?

Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged fresh strikes as the war intensified on June 9. Moscow claimed its troops captured the Khimik area in Donetsk following a new offensive supported by tactical aviation, drones and artillery. Russia said it struck 139 Ukrainian military targets, including ammunition depots, fuel facilities and command infrastructure, while TOS-1A thermobaric systems and Su-34 fighter-bombers targeted positions in Sumy and eastern Ukraine. Russian forces also claimed a patrol boat was destroyed in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported deadly missile and drone attacks on Kharkiv that killed at least four people and injured more than 20.