On Sunday, Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. This marked one of Kyiv’s largest drone strikes since the onset of the conflict. Over recent months, Ukraine has increased attacks using long-range missiles and drones targeting Russia’s military and energy facilities. Affected targets also included large depots of the Russian online retailer Wildberries, destroying substantial inventory.
Russia has faced intensified attacks, bringing the war closer to home for its citizens. In retaliation, Russian strikes have targeted Ukraine, including a drone attack that destroyed homes and set Kyiv’s notable book market on fire.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed the destruction of 822 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said around 600 drones were directed toward the capital, with a third destroyed in the Moscow region. An 83-year-old was killed when a drone hit his home in the Moscow region, according to Governor Andrey Vorobyov. This attack also incited a fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk.
A separate drone attack struck three towns in Russia’s Rostov region. This attack, involving over 150 drones, resulted in five fatalities, as reported by local Governor Yury Slyusar. It also damaged several structures and ignited a forest fire.
Impact on Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, which killed two and injured 14. In Sumy, another person was killed. At ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s leading steel producer, operations were partly suspended following a missile hit.
Tragedy struck in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where a man and a woman died from a Russian attack. Fires in Kyiv caused injuries to six individuals and devastated one of the city’s largest book markets near Pochaina metro station.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian missile strikes are aimed at civilian infrastructure. Sunday’s operations, as noted by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, included targeting a metallurgical plant in Kryvyi Rih and various military-industrial sites in Kyiv.
Developments in Other Regions
NATO involvement increased as Romanian airspace was breached. A Spanish F-18 fighter jet, deployed in Romania, intercepted and shot down a drone detected 14.9 miles north of Galati city. The incident stemmed from ongoing regional tensions. Drone debris was also found near Constanta, prompting a broader investigation.
Moldova’s Ministry of Defense reported a Shahed drone traversed their airspace, moving from Ukraine to Romania. Recent incidents have heightened airspace security concerns in Romania. Previously, Romanian pilots destroyed three drones in quick succession amid heightened Russian attacks near their border.
Romania’s acting Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, confirmed a scaled deployment of Spanish forces in Romania to strengthen the Eastern Flank. This decision reflects concerted efforts to enhance security following multiple drone-related incidents.