EU ambassador on latest Russian attack: Russia is fighting with its last strength

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová has responded to the large-scale strikes on Ukraine, stating they are evidence that Russia is failing on the battlefield.

The European diplomat noted she had learned of the large-scale attack while travelling to the Ukrainian capital. She emphasised that despite such attacks, Ukraine will not break. She added that she believes Ukraine will hold out despite the current difficulties.

"We had been hearing for a while threats of Russia preparing another large-scale strike on Kyiv. Last night, it came... Last night's attack followed repeated Kremlin threats of 'systematic strikes' against Kyiv. President Zelenskyy had already warned for days that Russia was preparing a new large-scale wave of attacks," Mathernová wrote on social media.

At the same time, Mathernová emphasised, Ukraine will not be broken by such attacks.

"Ukraine now has €90 billion in defence and budget support from the European Union available. Meanwhile, Russia is fighting with its last strength. It is horrific and bloody, but all relevant sources are saying the same thing: Russia can no longer sustain this war. It is running out of financial resources, manpower, strength and motivation," she added.

In conclusion, she added that she believes Ukraine will prevail, despite the current difficulties.

On the night of 1-2 June, Russia attacked a number of Ukrainian cities with missiles and attack drones. Ukraine's air defences downed 642 aerial assets out of 729 launched.

The primary target of the attack was Kyiv. The cities of Dnipro, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, Poltava Oblast and other areas were also struck.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna called for increased pressure on Russia, stating that "the aggressor knows no limits."

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Ukraine's western allies to assist with missiles for Patriot air defence systems and to exert pressure on Moscow.