Russian attack on Sumy, SBU strikes Crimean Bridge, new military appointments: June 3 highlights

Russian attack on Sumy

Around 9 a.m., Russian forces attacked central Sumy with long-range multiple rocket launchers, hitting six locations, including a road during morning traffic, according to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration.

The strike killed four people and injured 24, with 15 hospitalized, including eight in critical condition—three of them children. Multi-story and private buildings, a medical facility, non-residential premises, and vehicles were damaged.

SBU struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted its third attack on the Crimean Bridge, mining its underwater supports in a months-long operation, the SBU announced on June 3.

The first explosive device, equivalent to 1,100 kg of TNT, detonated at night without civilian casualties, severely damaging the bridge’s underwater pillars at seabed level, rendering it “effectively in an emergency state,” according to the SBU.

Drapatyi was appointed commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who resigned as Ground Forces commander after a deadly June 1 strike on a training range, was appointed commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Drapatyi said he met with Zelenskyy, briefed him on the June 1 incident, and received a new assignment.

“I’m staying in the ranks. On the frontline. Where I need to be. Where I can do the most,” he stated.

New commanders of the Air Force and the Unmanned Systems Forces have been appointed

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the following new appointments:

• Oleh Apostol will replace Ihor Skybiuk as the commander of the Air Assault Forces;
• Robert Brovdi Magyar will replace Vadym Sukharevskyi as Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces;
• Vadym Sukharevskyi was appointed deputy commander of the operational command "East";

In addition, the deputy commander of the National Guard, Oleksandr Bilous, was dismissed from his post.

PACE to launch day of remembrance for Viktoria Roshchina

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by President Theodoros Rousopoulos, proposed establishing a “Victory for Victoria Day” to honor Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, killed in Russian captivity.

The initiative includes an annual PACE resolution, a minute of silence during the fall session in Strasbourg, and a dedicated event.

As a result of the special operation "Spiderweb", Russia lost 41 warplanes

Ukraine’s General Staff updated losses from Operation Spiderweb, reporting Russia lost 41 aircraft, including strategic bombers and other combat planes, in a series of strikes targeting Russian airfields.

Other news

• The Ukrainian suspected of attacks on Russian airfields left for another country days before the strikes, per Russian media.
• Kyiv City Administration faced backlash for an avatar featuring LGBTQ+ symbols and Archangel Michael, which was removed after criticism.
• The United States anticipates Russian retaliation, possibly with an Oreshnik missile, for Ukraine’s airfield strikes, per The New York Times.
• Polish President-elect Larol Nawrocki supported Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s partnership goals but urged addressing “pressing historical issues.”