Ukraine launches what appears to be one of its largest drone attacks against Russia: report

Ukraine launched a significant nighttime drone attack targeting a dozen Russian regions, Crimea, and surrounding seas, which Russia's Ministry of Defense reported as one of Ukraine's largest since the full-scale invasion. Russian air defenses claimed to intercept 660 Ukrainian drones, with Moscow reporting 47 drones downed near the capital. Separately, Ukraine's air force stated their defenses stopped 174 of 189 Russian drones, though four ballistic missiles breached defenses. Amidst the ongoing conflict, both Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, with 160 individuals from each side returning home. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the release of 160 Ukrainian service members, many of whom had been held captive since 2022.

Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian logistics, targeting oil supplies, power stations, and bridges in Crimea and near Moscow. These strikes aim to disrupt Russian front-line capabilities by cutting off fuel, weapons, and other essential supplies. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Russia had redeployed air defense systems to protect Moscow and the Kerch Bridge, weakening defenses elsewhere. In response, Ukraine successfully damaged Russian military satellite communication centers and hit oil facilities and power plants in Crimea, causing fuel shortages and power outages. These actions have significantly impacted Russian supply lines, with attacks now reaching further into Russian-occupied territories and the Russian heartland.

Russia reported downing 660 Ukrainian drones overnight, characterizing it as one of Kyiv's largest long-range strike campaigns. These attacks, targeting energy infrastructure deep within Russia and Crimea, have caused fuel shortages and strained Russian air defenses. In response to the drone barrage, Russian-installed authorities in Crimea declared a state of emergency, admitting the military cannot fully protect the peninsula. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Russia of pressuring Belarus to build military infrastructure near the Ukrainian border for potential aggression, a claim Russia and Belarus deny. Belarus insists it has no intention of fighting Ukraine and seeks an agreement, while warning Kyiv against attempting to draw it into the conflict.

Russia's Defence Ministry reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones in a significant overnight attack targeting 12 Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black and Azov Seas. This incident appears to be one of the largest drone assaults on Russia and occupied Crimea since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago. The previous largest attack involved 556 drones on May 17. Ukraine has been using long-range drones to strike targets behind the front lines, including oil and energy facilities, aiming to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries. Initial damage reports from Russia following this latest attack were limited.

Russia reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones in a significant nighttime attack targeting 12 Russian regions and annexed Crimea, marking one of the largest such assaults since the full-scale invasion. This escalation follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's order for an "influence operation" aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war. Reports indicate damage to a private house and an industrial facility in the Tula region, with unverified reports of a chemical plant fire. Moscow stated it downed 47 drones approaching the capital. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported two civilians killed and seven injured in Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region.