Russia's Defense Ministry reported on Friday that its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a large-scale nighttime attack targeting 12 Russian regions, as well as the Russia-held Crimean peninsula and the Black and Azov Seas. This incident appears to be one of the most significant drone attacks against Russian territory and annexed Crimea since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began over four years ago. The previous largest recorded attack involved 556 drones on May 17.
Ukrainian long-range drones have been targeting Russian oil production and energy facilities located behind front lines and deep within Russian territory for months, in an apparent effort to disrupt Russia's war of attrition. Western officials and analysts suggest this campaign has hampered Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, thereby slowing Russia's progress on the battlefield and increasing pressure on President Vladimir Putin. Russia's Defense Ministry typically does not specify the targets of Ukrainian drone attacks or detail any damage incurred.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X that he had ordered a "40-day influence operation," widely interpreted as an escalation of attacks, intended to "compel (Russia) to end the war." This announcement followed a period where U.S.-led peace efforts had not yielded significant breakthroughs. The reported successful strikes, including those hitting targets in Moscow and St. Petersburg, have reportedly bolstered Ukraine's morale.
Zelenskyy also mentioned receiving further assurances of foreign support after attending a recent G7 leaders' summit, with promised aid expected to help Ukraine intensify its efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table. A forthcoming NATO summit in July is also anticipated to be a critical juncture for enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities.
Initial reports of damage from the overnight attack in Russia have been limited. However, in the Tula region, south of Moscow, Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported that a private house was damaged and a woman was wounded. He also noted damage to a power line and an unspecified industrial facility in Novomoskovsk. Russian independent outlet Astra reported that a chemical plant and a hydroelectric plant in Novomoskovsk were attacked and caught fire, though this could not be independently verified by The Associated Press.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 47 Ukrainian drones were downed en route to the Russian capital, with no reported casualties or damage.
Separately, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region over the preceding 24 hours resulted in two civilian deaths and seven injuries. Regional head Oleh Syniehubov stated that Russian forces used guided aerial bombs and various types of drones to strike Kharkiv city and 16 other settlements in the region. Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 174 out of 189 Russian drones overnight, though four of seven fired Iskander-M ballistic missiles reportedly bypassed air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported damage to energy facilities, homes, and other civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, the southern Odesa region, and the northeastern Sumy region.