A Ukrainian drone targeted a campus belonging to Russia’s National Guard in the Russian region of Chechnya on Sunday, in response to a mass air attack from Moscow. The drone footage circulating on social media depicted the drone flying low over Grozny, the Chechen capital, before detonating. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident.
Confirming the strike, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that the drone hit a site owned by the Akhmat Grozny riot police battalion. He also mentioned that two other drones were intercepted by air defenses. In retaliation, Kadyrov vowed revenge on Ukrainian forces and ordered a missile strike on military facilities in Kharkiv, although this claim remains unverified.
On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry reported shooting down 15 Ukrainian drones overnight in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, as well as over the Black Sea, without mentioning the Grozny attack. Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence services conducted a special operation to disrupt Russia’s logistic fuel supply routes from Crimea to Zaporizhzhia, destroying a locomotive and 40 tanker cars.
Over the weekend, Kyiv launched strikes on Russia, including setting fire to a major oil terminal, following Moscow's extensive bombardment of Ukraine on Friday. Russia unleashed 93 cruise and ballistic missiles along with nearly 200 drones, causing significant damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Russian troops are making slow progress in eastern Ukraine. Reports indicate that Russian forces have entered the settlement of Kurakhove after besieging it for weeks. This development adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future course of the war, especially with the impending inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who expressed reservations about Ukraine using U.S.-provided weapons to target Russian soil.
Furthermore, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 108 drones across its territory overnight, with 56 being intercepted by air defenses and 49 losing radar contact. The attack in Mykolaiv resulted in two injuries and inflicted damage on local infrastructure.
As the conflict escalates, the situation remains fluid, with both sides engaging in strategic maneuvers and retaliatory actions. The evolving dynamics of the war in Ukraine continue to draw international attention and raise concerns about the broader implications of the ongoing hostilities.
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