Devendra Kumar
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported a massive wave of drone attacks launched by Ukraine overnight, with 35 drones downed, including four in the Moscow region. The attacks also targeted other regions, such as Kaluga, Yaroslavl, Belgorod, Kursk, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a refinery in the Krasnodar region, causing a fire that was eventually put out. In Belgorod, a 16-year-old girl was killed and her father seriously injured in a drone strike, while a second attack later in the day killed a man and injured 11 others.
The Russian military claimed to have thwarted an attempted cross-border incursion by Ukrainian “sabotage and reconnaissance groups” on Saturday, but the claim could not be independently verified. A video released by the Russian Volunteer Corps, which includes Russians fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, allegedly shows the capture of 25 Russian soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the drone attacks as an attempt by Ukraine to frighten residents and derail Russia’s upcoming presidential election, vowing that Russia would respond with “even greater cohesion.”
As the war reaches its third year, Russian forces have made slow and incremental gains along the front line, relying on their edge in firepower, while Ukraine has fought back with drone attacks deep inside Russia and cross-border raids. The attacks follow a series of other Ukrainian drone raids and other attacks over the past few days. The conflict is ongoing, with both sides employing tactics that are causing chaos and destruction.
In addition to the attacks on Russian regions, Ukraine’s military also reported shooting down 14 Russian drones over the Odesa region on Sunday. Two Russian ballistic missiles struck the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, injuring at least five people. The conflict has caused widespread damage and casualties, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. The situation remains volatile, with neither side showing signs of backing down.