Overnight, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed a total of 158 Ukrainian drones, as confirmed by the Defense Ministry. The operations included the downing of two drones over Moscow and nine in the surrounding region. Notably, 46 drones were shot down in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have recently made incursions into Russian territory, marking the largest such event since World War II.
Additional drone interceptions took place in various border regions, with 34 drones downed in Bryansk, 28 in Voronezh, and 14 in Belgorod. The Defense Ministry reported interceptions in a total of 15 regions, with local governors also confirming drone incidents in their respective areas.
One of the drones shot down over Moscow caused a fire at an oil refinery, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. These drone strikes represent Ukraine's efforts to target key infrastructure within Russia, including refineries and oil terminals, in response to the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, in the Russian border region of Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that nine individuals sustained injuries in Ukrainian aerial missile attacks. The situation escalated further as Russian forces claimed control over the towns of Pivnichne and Vyimka in Ukraine's Donetsk region, a development that remains to be independently verified.
Tragically, casualties were reported on both sides of the conflict. In Kurakhove, south of Pokrovsk, three individuals lost their lives and nine were wounded due to Russian shelling. In Ukraine, eight out of 11 Russian-launched drones were successfully shot down by the Ukrainian air force. Additionally, one person was killed and several others wounded in shelling in the Sumy region, while Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported five injuries in his region.
As the conflict intensifies, the toll on civilians and infrastructure continues to mount. Syniehubov detailed the damage caused by Russian shelling in Kharkiv, which included a shopping center, a sports facility, and residential buildings. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing clashes and drone activity underscoring the gravity of the situation.
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