NATO Chief Makes Surprise Visit to Kyiv... Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia

"Russia Losing Over 30,000 Soldiers Each Month"
Hundreds of Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia

EPA Yonhap News

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a surprise visit to Ukraine, once again emphasizing NATO’s support for the country. Ukraine, for its part, launched a large-scale drone strike against Russia, responding to Russia’s earlier drone attacks. As the confrontation between the two sides intensifies, there is growing attention on whether NATO will further strengthen its support for Ukraine.

According to CNN, on June 3 (local time), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a joint press conference after talks with President Zelenskyy, Secretary General Rutte stated, “As Ukraine continues to stand strong, innovate, and achieve results on the battlefield, Russia is becoming increasingly desperate.” He emphasized, “More than 30,000 Russian soldiers are dying each month. That means Russia is losing more troops in a single month than the Soviet Union lost in ten years during the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s.”

He added, “Unfortunately, Russia shows no signs of stopping. The recent attacks on Kyiv and across Ukraine make this clear.” He also sent a warning to Russian citizens, saying, “Young people are being sold into an unjust bargain. If they go to war, they are unlikely to receive proper training or supplies, and the likelihood of being killed is high.”

This visit to Kyiv by Secretary General Rutte comes four months after his last trip in early February. The unannounced visit took place after Ukraine was subjected to large-scale airstrikes by Russia and requested NATO member states for support, including Patriot missile systems and other air defense assets. There is keen attention on whether and how much additional support NATO will promise for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukraine demonstrated its drone strike capabilities by launching a massive drone attack toward St. Petersburg, Russia, on the same day. President Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform X that “key facilities inside Russian territory were hit overnight, including an oil terminal in St. Petersburg,” and stressed that “Ukraine’s long-range interdiction plan, necessary to bring peace closer, is being executed precisely.”

Russian authorities stated that there were no fatalities resulting from the attack. St. Petersburg Mayor Alexander Beglov explained, “Several infrastructure facilities in three districts of the city were damaged in this attack, but there were no casualties.” According to Russian sources, around 350 Ukrainian drones attacked St. Petersburg and its surrounding areas. As a result of the attack, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg was closed and more than 30 flights were canceled.

Russia indicated that a strong retaliatory attack would follow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned, “Russia’s response will be systematic.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.