In a daring move, Ukrainian long-range drones targeted two oil facilities deep inside Russia. This attack occurred on Tuesday, just days before Russia’s presidential election. These strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s growing technological capabilities as the conflict between the two nations enters its third year.
The attack involved waves of drones striking across eight regions of Russia, challenging President Vladimir Putin’s narrative that life in Russia remains unaffected by the war. The assault also weakened Putin’s position, although he is still expected to win another term in office, having eliminated opposition.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 234 fighters were killed in thwarting the incursion. It attributed the attack to the “Kyiv regime” and “Ukraine’s terrorist formations.” The ministry claimed that Russian forces successfully repelled the attackers, destroying seven tanks and five armored vehicles in the process.
Reports of fighting along the border were unclear, with conflicting information emerging from Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions. Cross-border incidents have been sporadic since the conflict began, often clouded by disinformation and propaganda.
Soldiers claiming to be Russian volunteers fighting for Ukraine allegedly crossed the border, aiming to reach Tetkino, a town near the border. The authenticity of videos purportedly showing their presence on Russian territory could not be independently verified.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that attacks on Tetkino were repelled, with no further details provided. Additionally, Ukrainian fighters reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to cross into the Belgorod region, facing resistance from Russian warplanes, artillery, and missiles.
According to Ukraine’s intelligence agency, the military groups involved consist of Russian citizens operating autonomously within Russian territory.
The Ukrainian drone strikes targeted various regions of Russia, including Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow, and Oryol, causing significant damage to oil facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously hinted at the development of weapons capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometers away, likely referring to these drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting Ukrainian drones over several regions, indicating heightened tensions and ongoing military actions along the border.
Despite facing challenges such as shortages of artillery shells and sky-blocking measures, Zelenskyy stated that recent Russian advances had been halted, and the battlefield situation had improved in recent months.
In a separate incident, a Russian air force transport plane crashed during takeoff in the Ivanovo region. The cause of the crash, believed to be an engine fire, resulted in the loss of 15 lives, with no survivors reported.
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