Russia Unleashes 653 Drones and 51 Missiles as U.S. Talks Proceed
Updated (2 articles)
Massive Drone and Missile Barrage Over Ukraine Overnight Russia launched 653 combat drones and 51 missiles across Ukraine, triggering nationwide air‑raid alerts on Armed Forces Day[1]. The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 585 drones and 30 missiles, with strikes recorded at 29 locations[1][2]. At least eight civilians were wounded, three of them in the Kyiv region, and drone debris fell as far west as Lviv[1][2].
Energy Grid and Nuclear Plant Suffer Critical Hits Ukraine’s national grid operator Ukrenergo confirmed attacks on power stations in multiple regions, identifying energy infrastructure as a primary target[1]. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, still under Russian control, lost all off‑site power, prompting emergency cooling of six reactors and spent‑fuel pools, as reported by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi[1][2]. Additional damage included a drone strike on the Fastiv train station and debris impacting industrial sites in the Ryazan region[1].
Diplomatic Negotiations Continue Amid Escalation President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a substantive phone call with U.S. officials in Florida, discussing a post‑war security framework while the attack unfolded[1]. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are slated to meet Zelenskyy in London to coordinate further support[1]. Russia claimed its air defenses shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over its territory, a point emphasized in both reports[1][2].
Sources
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1.
AP: Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Talks: Details the scale of the strike, Ukrainian interceptions, civilian injuries, energy and nuclear impacts, and outlines ongoing Florida talks and upcoming European leader meetings.
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2.
King5: Russia launches massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine as talks continue: Echoes AP’s attack statistics, highlights IAEA’s report on Zaporizhzhia’s power loss, and notes Zelensky’s focus on energy targets alongside Russian claims of downed Ukrainian drones.
Timeline
Dec 6, 2025 – Ukraine marks Armed Forces Day when Russia launches a massive overnight strike of 653 drones and 51 missiles, triggering nationwide air‑raid alerts and hitting 29 locations across the country[1][2].
Dec 6, 2025 – The Ukrainian Air Force shoots down 585 drones and 30 missiles, yet eight civilians are wounded, including three in the Kyiv region, as the barrage reaches as far west as Lviv[1][2].
Dec 6, 2025 – Energy infrastructure becomes a primary target; Ukrenergo reports attacks on power stations in multiple regions, causing widespread outages[1][2].
Dec 6, 2025 – The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant “loses all off‑site power,” prompting emergency cooling of six reactors; IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirms the outage[1][2].
Dec 6, 2025 – Ukrainian forces strike Russian sites: a drone destroys the Fastiv train station, the Ukrainian General Staff says a strike hits the Ryazan Oil Refinery, while Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims 116 Ukrainian drones are shot down over its territory[1][2].
Dec 6, 2025 – Drone debris falls on industrial facilities and a residential building in the Ryazan region, underscoring the attack’s cross‑border reach[1].
Dec 6, 2025 – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports a “substantive” phone call with U.S. officials as diplomatic talks continue in Florida, aiming to forge a post‑war security framework contingent on Russia’s commitment[1].
Dec 6, 2025 – U.S. advisers and Ukrainian negotiators push for a U.S.-mediated proposal to end the nearly four‑year war, signaling heightened diplomatic activity alongside the military clash[1].
Dec 6, 2025 – Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are scheduled to meet Zelenskyy in London later in the week to coordinate further support and discuss the evolving security situation[1].
Late Dec 2025 (planned) – Ongoing Florida negotiations target a post‑war security arrangement, with expectations that the U.S. proposal will be formalized after the London meeting of allied leaders[1].