Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Assault on Russia Since War Began
Kyiv / Moscow: Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks on Russia since the start of the war, targeting multiple regions with nearly 600 drones, leaving at least four people dead and several others injured.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air defense systems intercepted 556 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions, including Crimea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. Authorities later reported that an additional 30 drones were destroyed during the morning hours.
Russian officials confirmed that one of the victims was an Indian national working in Russia. Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov stated that a drone crashed into a private residence, killing a woman, while two other men also lost their lives in separate incidents.
Russia said the attacks targeted 14 regions, with more than 80 drones intercepted over Moscow and surrounding areas. Officials reported that at least 12 people were injured during the strikes.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said some drones fell near an oil and gas refinery construction site, injuring workers. However, refinery operations were not disrupted. Three residential buildings were also reportedly damaged in the attacks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the strikes, calling them a justified response to continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian areas.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry described the operation as the largest attack on the Moscow region since the war began in 2022. Ukrainian officials said their strategy focuses on targeting Russian military infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
At the same time, Russia continued its aerial assaults on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed Russia launched 287 drones overnight, of which 279 were intercepted and destroyed.
Efforts to achieve a ceasefire between the two countries remain stalled, while a temporary truce reportedly brokered through US mediation has also collapsed. Following the breakdown of negotiations, both sides have resumed heavy attacks against each other.