Ukraine launched one of its largest overnight drone attacks on Russia, targeting 19 regions, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to Russian officials. The strikes reportedly killed at least six people and injured dozens, marking another significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Russian state media reported that five of the fatalities occurred in the Moscow region, while additional casualties were reported in Belgorod. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said several important locations in and around the capital came under attack. He added that Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed the majority of the incoming drones before they could reach their intended targets.
In the Krasnodar region, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated that around 40 people were injured during the attacks, with 17 requiring hospital treatment. He accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting residential areas, though Ukrainian authorities had not publicly responded to those allegations at the time of reporting.
The latest drone offensive came less than 48 hours after Russia carried out a missile strike on Kyiv that reportedly killed nine people. The back-to-back attacks underscore the intensifying cycle of retaliation between the two sides.
Russian officials also claimed that air defense forces shot down approximately 320 Ukrainian drones during the overnight assault. Some of the targeted locations in Moscow and St. Petersburg were reported to have strategic or military significance, although the extent of the damage has not been independently verified.
As both countries continue to exchange long-range strikes, concerns are growing that the conflict could expand further, increasing risks for civilians and critical infrastructure while complicating diplomatic efforts to end the war.
