In a large-scale night operation, Russia reported the interception of 221 Ukrainian drones, marking a significant escalation in aerial engagements since May.
The majority of these drones were brought down over the Bryansk and Smolensk regions, situated southwest of Moscow, targeting reportedly critical Lukoil facilities, according to the defense ministry.
The Leningrad region authorities indicated that they managed to destroy 28 drones, with one drone igniting a fire on a ship in the Primorsk Baltic port, known as Russia’s biggest oil terminal. Fortunately, the fire was put out without any reported injuries or leaks.
Meanwhile, in a tragic turn of events, two civilians lost their lives in Ukraine’s Sumy region due to a Russian glide bomb that hit close to the border.
Incidents of drone interceptions were noted across at least nine different regions in Russia, including Kaluga, Novgorod, and the Moscow area, where nine drones were reported destroyed. Although debris was found across various locations, Russian officials maintained that there had not been any reported casualties.
The Governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, reported that seven individuals were injured—comprising five civilians and two military personnel—after a drone struck a bus in the area.
Moscow’s statements, whose accuracy has yet to be independently verified by the BBC, suggest that this latest attack was one of the most considerable from Ukraine in over four months.
On May 7, Russia claimed to have downed a record high of 524 drones, while Ukrainian sources contend that Russia has deployed 818 drones against Ukraine in recent weeks.
This aerial strike is viewed as one of the most significant for the Leningrad region since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine initiated three and a half years ago, leading to a temporary halt of operations at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg.
The pattern of cross-border drone attacks has escalated as a distinct element in the ongoing conflict. Back in July, a sustained Ukrainian drone assault compelled the closure of all the airports in Moscow for a time.
Moreover, in the last few months, Ukrainian strikes have penetrated deeper into Russian territory than before, targeting refineries, fuel depots, and logistical hubs located hundreds of miles away from current frontline areas.
Amid all this, Moscow has ramped up its missile and drone offensives against Ukrainian urban centers and energy infrastructures over the summer months, coinciding with the stalled US-led peace discussions.
This surge in attacks occurs just before Russia and Belarus are set to commence a considerable joint military exercise on Friday, an event that takes place every four years.
It should be noted that this military drill comes just days after several Russian drones made headlines for encroaching into Poland’s airspace, a move deemed unprecedented by Warsaw.
