Ukraine has launched a series of long-range drone attacks on targets deep inside Russia, hitting at least two oil facilities in eight regions of the country. This marks a significant display of Kyiv's expanding drone capabilities.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian drones struck various locations, including an oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region, an oil depot in Oryol, and a drone shot down in the Moscow region. These attacks highlight Ukraine's growing sophistication in drone technology and its boldness in taking the war to Russia following the full-scale invasion by Russian forces on February 24, 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously mentioned Ukraine's development of a weapon capable of hitting targets 700 kilometers away, likely referring to drones. Additionally, Ukraine has deployed sea drones in the Black Sea, claiming to have sunk Russian warships.
Despite facing challenges due to a lack of military supplies, Kyiv's forces have managed to halt recent Russian advances. The battlefield situation is reportedly improving, with Zelenskyy noting progress in combatting Russian forces.
These attacks come amidst Russia's presidential election, with President Vladimir Putin expected to secure another term. However, Ukraine's incursions into Russian territory challenge Putin's narrative of an unaffected Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting drones over several regions and shooting down ballistic and Vampire missiles. Border defenses were tested as Ukrainian fighters attempted incursions into Russian territory, with conflicting reports from both sides regarding the outcomes.
Alleged incursions by Ukrainian fighters, including Russian volunteers fighting for Ukraine, have raised tensions along the border. The authenticity of videos showing these fighters on Russian territory remains unverified, with conflicting accounts from Russian and Ukrainian sources.
Meanwhile, a Russian military transport plane crashed during takeoff in the Ivanovo region, with the likely cause being an engine fire. The incident resulted in casualties, though specific details were not provided.
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