Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (June 6)

By NPR Staff

Published June 6, 2022 at 4:01 PM CDT

A mural on a wall in Kyiv on Monday depicts an image of "Saint Javelina" — the Virgin Mary cradling a U.S.-made Javelin. These missiles are among the weapons sent by Western allies to Ukrainian forces to aid in their fight against Russia. The Javelin is widely considered a symbol of Ukraine's defense.

As Monday draws to a close in Kyiv and in Moscow, here are the key developments of the day:

The United Kingdom is sending long-range missiles to Ukraine, defying Russia's warning it will bomb such weapons supplied by the West. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the U.K. will deliver multiple-launch rocket systems that can strike targets up to 50 miles away with great precision, boosting Ukrainian forces' capabilities against Russia. This follows President Biden's announcement last week that the United States was sending Ukraine more advanced rockets than previous shipments.

The United Nations Security Council met on Ukraine, focusing on sexual violence in the conflict. U.N. Special Representative on Sexual Violence Pramila Patten warned of a "human trafficking crisis," saying, "Women and children fleeing the conflict are being targeted for trafficking and exploitation — in some cases facing further exposure to rape and other risks while seeking refuge."

The U.S. Justice Department obtained a seizure warrant for two planes belonging to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, valued at more than $400 million. The luxury jets, manufactured in the U.S., are now under "active pursuit" and will be known as "tainted assets." The planes were flown to Russia after rules governing such flights changed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a Biden administration official says.

Russia's Foreign Ministry warned U.S. media organizations working in Moscow that they risk losing accreditation in the near future. In a meeting with journalists and representatives from organizations including NPR, spokesperson Maria Zakharova justified any future Russian actions against American media as a reciprocal response to what she called pressure facing Russian journalists working in the U.S. She alleged that Russian media have long faced problems acquiring visas and broadcasting licenses in the U.S., and are now struggling with blocked bank accounts and official harassment. Separately, investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov, who focuses on Russia's security agencies, said that Russian authorities placed him on their wanted list and froze his bank accounts.

In-depth

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to eastern Ukraine.

In Ukraine's National Opera house, artists have sworn off Russian music.

Breaking down the effectiveness of the latest sanctions on Russia.

Special report

Russia's war in Ukraine is changing the world: See its ripple effects in all corners of the globe.

Earlier developments

You can read more daily recaps here. For context and more in-depth stories, you can find more of NPR's coverage here. Also, listen and subscribe to NPR's State of Ukraine podcast for updates throughout the day.