Russia reported that it intercepted 221 Ukrainian drones launched into its territory overnight, marking one of the largest aerial assaults since May. The Russian defense ministry indicated that over half of the drones were intercepted in the Bryansk and Smolensk regions, south-west of Moscow, where Lukoil facilities were allegedly targeted.
In the Leningrad region, authorities stated that 28 drones were downed, and a fire occurred on a vessel at Primorsk, Russia’s largest oil terminal. However, they noted that the fire was extinguished without resulting in any casualties or significant leaks. Additionally, reports indicated that two civilians died in Ukraine’s Sumy region due to a Russian glide bomb striking a village near the border.
Interceptions were recorded in at least nine other regions of Russia, including Kaluga and Novgorod, with authorities claiming that nine drones were destroyed in the Moscow area. While debris was found in several locations, Russian officials stated there were no reported casualties from these incidents. Meanwhile, a drone strike in Bryansk injured seven individuals, including five civilians and two military personnel, according to regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz.
Moscow’s claims regarding the scale of the drone assault have not been independently verified. Russia previously reported destroying a significant number of drones on May 7, while Ukrainian officials mentioned that Russia had deployed 818 drones in recent weeks.
This escalation of aerial attacks is noted as one of the most significant for the Leningrad region since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three-and-a-half years ago and resulted in the temporary suspension of operations at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport. Ukrainian drone raids have increasingly reached deeper into Russian territory, impacting critical infrastructure significantly further from the frontline. These attacks occurred just before Russia and Belarus were set to begin a major joint military exercise, which occurs every four years, and follow reports of Russian drones entering Polish airspace.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cderllgw84ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss