KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine launched one of its largest long-range drone operations of the war overnight, targeting multiple Russian regions, Russian-occupied Crimea, and surrounding waters in an escalation that highlights Kyiv’s expanding ability to strike deep behind enemy lines.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones across a dozen regions, Crimea, and nearby maritime areas. If confirmed, the operation would rank among Ukraine’s largest drone assaults since Russia began its full-scale invasion more than four years ago.
The extensive attack underscores Ukraine’s continued strategy of using domestically developed long-range drones to pressure Russia’s military infrastructure and logistical network while attempting to weaken Moscow’s ability to sustain frontline operations.
Drone campaign targets Russian military infrastructure
Russian authorities released limited information regarding the damage caused by the overnight strikes, consistent with their practice of providing few operational details following Ukrainian attacks.
Independent Russian news outlet Astra reported that a chemical plant and a hydroelectric facility in Novomoskovsk caught fire after being struck. The report could not be independently verified, and Russian officials did not immediately confirm the incidents.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defenses destroyed 47 drones approaching the capital. He reported no casualties or significant damage within the city.
Ukraine’s Security Service said its drones also struck Russian naval assets and air defense radar systems in Kerch, a strategically important port in Russian-controlled Crimea.
According to the agency, the operation targeted the reconnaissance and minelaying vessels Volga and Vyatka, along with the cargo-passenger ferry Petropavlovsk, claiming the attack sparked a major fire. Those claims have not been independently verified.
Zelenskyy signals intensified military pressure
The large-scale drone operation followed remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said on X that he had ordered what he described as “a 40-day influence operation” intended to increase pressure on Russia and compel Moscow to negotiate an end to the conflict after months of unsuccessful international peace efforts.
Despite ongoing hostilities, Ukraine and Russia carried out another prisoner exchange on Friday, with officials from both countries confirming that 160 prisoners of war from each side had returned home.
Zelenskyy also said recent meetings with Group of Seven leaders resulted in additional commitments of military assistance, including support pledged by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the Ukrainian leader, the assistance is intended to strengthen Kyiv’s ability to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations.
He also pointed to the upcoming NATO summit as another opportunity for Ukraine’s allies to expand military support.
Russian strikes continue across Ukraine
While Ukraine intensified its long-range operations, Russian attacks continued across several Ukrainian regions.
Regional authorities said Russian strikes killed three civilians and wounded at least 29 others over the previous day.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said two people were killed and seven injured as Russian forces attacked the regional capital and numerous surrounding communities.
Emergency officials also reported that a separate drone strike on central Izium on Friday morning killed one woman and injured three others.
Authorities said additional attacks in Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions wounded at least 19 people, including a nine-year-old child. Some strikes involved powerful glide bombs and targeted civilian infrastructure, including gas stations.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 174 of 189 Russian drones launched overnight. However, officials said four of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles penetrated air defenses and struck multiple locations.
Ukraine monitors activity in Belarus
Ukrainian border officials said intelligence services have not detected any significant Russian military buildup near Ukraine’s northern border despite continued expansion of military infrastructure inside neighboring Belarus.
State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said intelligence units have observed Russia expanding training facilities, bases, and other military sites deeper within Belarus but have not identified any concentration of troops, equipment, or personnel close to the Ukrainian frontier.
Belarus served as a staging ground for Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, making military developments there a continuing focus for Ukrainian defense planners.
Although no immediate threat has been identified along the border, Ukrainian authorities said they continue to closely monitor Russian military activity throughout Belarus as the conflict continues.
Tags: Ukraine, Russia, Crimea, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Drone Warfare, NATO, Belarus, Kharkiv, Moscow, Prisoner Exchange, Russia-Ukraine War
