Over 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia on Sunday, resulting in a significant barrage over Russian skies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 125 drones were shot down across seven regions, with the Volgograd region experiencing heavy fire, leading to the downing of 67 Ukrainian drones by Russian air defenses.
In the Voronezh region, 17 drones were spotted, causing falling debris to damage an apartment block and a private home. Similarly, in the Rostov region, 18 drones led to a wildfire, engulfing 20 hectares of forest. Emergency services are actively working to extinguish the blaze.
In a separate incident, 16 civilians were injured in Zaporizhzhia, a southern Ukrainian city, following warnings from Ukrainian military leaders about a potential new Russian military offensive in the region. The city was targeted by Russian guide bombs in 10 separate attacks, resulting in damage to a high-rise building and residential homes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the impact on the city's infrastructure and transport links.
President Zelenskyy also attended a memorial service marking the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre, emphasizing the need to remember the atrocities committed during World War II. Babyn Yar, a site in Kyiv where thousands of Jews were killed in 1941 under Nazi occupation, serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of upholding humanity and justice.
Amid escalating tensions, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine's air force confirmed the launch of 22 Russian drones, with 15 being shot down in various regions and five destroyed using electronic defenses.
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