Overnight into Sunday, a significant drone strike shook Moscow and its surrounding areas, causing disruptions and injuries. Reports indicate that a woman in her 50s sustained burns to her face, neck, and hands after drones ignited a blaze in her village southeast of Moscow. Additionally, the strike led to the temporary halting of traffic at major Russian airports, including Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo, as a precautionary measure.
The Russian defense ministry confirmed that a total of 70 drones were shot down within Russian territory, with 34 of them being intercepted over the outskirts of Moscow. While no injuries were reported in Moscow itself, there were accounts of drone debris causing fires in suburban homes, as shared on messaging platforms.
UK Defense Official Highlights Russian Casualties and Losses in Ukraine Conflict
According to a top U.K. defense official, Russian forces experienced their highest monthly casualties in October since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The official revealed that Moscow's troops suffered an average of 1,500 dead and wounded daily, resulting in a total of 700,000 losses since the conflict began.
The official emphasized that ordinary Russians were bearing a significant toll due to the ongoing war, with mounting defense and security expenditures straining the country. Despite tactical gains made by Russia in Ukraine's industrial east, the official noted that these advances came at a high cost and were limited to small territorial increments.
Escalation of Drone Attacks Between Russia and Ukraine
Simultaneously, a substantial wave of Russian drones targeted Ukrainian territory, with reports indicating that 145 drones were launched overnight. Ukrainian air force officials confirmed that 62 drones were successfully intercepted, while an additional 67 were 'lost,' likely due to electronic interference causing them to deviate from their intended paths.
Incidents of drone strikes in Ukraine's southern port of Odesa resulted in at least one injury, as residential areas were hit by Russian drones. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides engaging in drone warfare and facing casualties as a result.
For more updates on the war in Ukraine, visit AP's dedicated coverage page.
