Here are the latest major developments in the Russia–Ukraine conflict as of early June 2025:

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🛰️ 1. Russia launches record-breaking drone & missile barrage

Russia carried out its most extensive drone assault of the war so far: 479 kamikaze drones plus about 20 missiles struck over several regions overnight. The Ukrainian air force reports intercepting around 460 drones via electronic warfare.

An estimated 460 drones were neutralized, while the remaining caused significant damage—especially in Rivne Oblast—and left casualties in Kharkiv and Kyiv.

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🚀 2. Autonomous AI drones: Fact or hype?

Reports from outlets like The Sun suggest Russia is deploying AI-powered kamikaze drones that “choose their own targets,” with over 500 strikes per night. However, more measured coverage from Business Insider counters that full autonomy remains limited—they still require human input in most cases.

So, while Russia is massively increasing drone operations, fully autonomous drone warfare is not yet widespread.

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🪖 3. Advances & counterclaims on the ground

Russian forces claimed an incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, intended to form a "buffer zone" along the Donetsk border—though Ukraine denies any sustained conquest.

Meanwhile, the **capture of Kostiantynivka in Sum