The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine took a new turn as Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 158 Ukrainian drones overnight. The Defense Ministry revealed that two drones were shot down over Moscow, while another nine were taken out in the surrounding region.
The largest incursion on Russian soil since World War II occurred in the Kursk region, where 46 drones were intercepted. Additionally, drones were shot down in various other border regions of Ukraine, including Bryansk, Voronezh, and Belgorod.
The impact of Ukrainian drone strikes extended beyond the front lines, causing concern in Russia’s capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that debris from a drone led to a fire at an oil refinery within the city.
Furthermore, Russian forces made advances in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, with the Defense Ministry claiming control over key towns. The capture of Pokrovsk, an essential logistics hub, is a significant objective for the Kremlin.
The conflict also spread to various regions, resulting in casualties and injuries. In Kurakhove, south of Pokrovsk, three people were killed and nine wounded in Russian shelling. A similar attack on the Kharkiv regional capital left 44 people injured.
The violence was not limited to Ukraine, as Ukrainian drones were also shot down in Russia. This escalation marks a dangerous shift in the conflict, with civilian populations on both sides at risk.
For the latest updates on the war in Ukraine, follow the Associated Press’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
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