Russia's Defense Ministry reported Friday that its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a significant nighttime attack targeting 12 Russian regions, as well as the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula and the adjacent Black and Azov Seas. The scale of the assault appears to be among the largest on Russian territory since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began over four years ago.
Ukrainian long-range drones have been targeting Russian oil production, energy facilities, and other targets behind the front lines for months. These strikes aim to disrupt fuel supplies and military deliveries, potentially impacting Russia's battlefield capabilities and increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Western officials and analysts.
This major aerial attack occurred hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on X that he had ordered a 40-day "influence operation," interpreted as an escalation of attacks, intended to "compel (Russia) to end the war." This announcement followed a lack of breakthrough in U.S.-led peace efforts over the past year.
Reports of damage began to emerge from the Tula region, south of Moscow. Regional Governor Dmitry Milyaev stated that a private home was damaged and a woman was injured. Additionally, a power line and an unspecified industrial facility in the city of Novomoskovsk were reportedly affected. The independent online outlet Astra reported that a chemical plant and a hydroelectric plant in Novomoskovsk were attacked and caught fire, though The Associated Press could not independently verify these claims, and there was no official confirmation.
In the vicinity of the capital, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 47 Ukrainian drones were downed en route to the city, with no casualties or damage reported. Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, Russian forces conducted attacks over the preceding 24 hours, resulting in two deaths and seven injuries, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov. Russian forces reportedly struck the city of Kharkiv and 16 other settlements using guided aerial bombs and various types of drones.
Ukraine's Defense Forces reported intercepting 174 out of 189 Russian drones during the night. However, four of seven fired Iskander-M ballistic missiles reportedly penetrated air defenses and struck various locations.