Fact Check: "73 drones launched on Kharkiv in one week, killing five!"
What We Know
The claim states that 73 drones were launched on Kharkiv within a week, resulting in five fatalities. According to reports from various sources, including the Kyiv Independent, Russian forces launched a significant number of drone attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv. Specifically, on June 11, 2025, it was reported that three people were killed and 60 injured in Kharkiv due to drone strikes on residential buildings. Additionally, the overall number of casualties from various attacks across Ukraine that day included four deaths and 73 injuries, but these figures were not exclusively tied to Kharkiv alone.
Furthermore, the Reuters report on June 12, 2025, indicated that a concentrated drone attack on Kharkiv resulted in six fatalities and 64 injuries, suggesting that the situation was severe but not directly confirming the specific claim of 73 drones being launched solely at Kharkiv.
Analysis
The claim that "73 drones launched on Kharkiv in one week, killing five" is partially substantiated by the available evidence. The assertion about the number of drones is not directly supported by the sources, which report on broader attacks across multiple regions. The Kyiv Independent mentions a total of 85 drones deployed across various regions, with a significant portion targeting Kharkiv, but does not specify that all 73 were aimed solely at Kharkiv.
Moreover, the casualty figures are somewhat misleading. While the claim states five deaths, reports indicate that the death toll in Kharkiv alone could be higher, with one report citing six deaths from a specific attack on June 12, 2025 (Reuters). This inconsistency in casualty figures raises questions about the accuracy of the claim.
The sources used are credible, with major news outlets like Reuters and the Kyiv Independent providing detailed accounts of the events. However, the interpretation of the data may vary, and the claim's wording could lead to misunderstandings regarding the specific context of the drone attacks.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. While there were indeed drone attacks on Kharkiv and significant casualties reported, the specific claim about 73 drones being launched exclusively at Kharkiv lacks direct evidence. Additionally, the casualty figures are not consistent across reports, indicating that while the situation is dire, the claim may oversimplify the complexities of the events.
