Key facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry stated 660 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in a large-scale nighttime attack.
- The attack targeted 12 Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black and Azov Seas.
- Damage was reported in the Tula region, including a wounded civilian and a damaged power line.
- Independent reports suggest a chemical plant and hydroelectric plant in Novomoskovsk were hit and caught fire.
- Moscow reported downing 47 drones approaching the capital without casualties or damage.
Russia reported on Friday that its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a significant nighttime attack that spanned 12 Russian regions, the Russia-held Crimean peninsula, and the Black and Azov Seas. This appears to be one of the largest drone assaults on Russian territory and annexed Crimea since the full-scale invasion began.
Ukrainian long-range drones have been targeting Russian oil and energy facilities behind front lines for months, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies and military deliveries. Western officials and analysts suggest this campaign has stalled Russian progress and increased pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
The large-scale attack occurred hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an order for a 40-day "influence operation," interpreted as an escalation of attacks, intended to pressure Russia into ending the war, following a lack of breakthroughs in U.S.-led peace efforts.
In the Tula region, south of Moscow, a private house was damaged, and one woman was injured. A power line was also affected, and an unspecified industrial facility in Novomoskovsk was targeted. 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 stated that 47 Ukrainian drones were downed en route to the capital, with no reported casualties or damage. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Forces reported stopping 174 out of 189 Russian drones, though four Iskander-M ballistic missiles reportedly bypassed air defenses.