The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in a deadly drone assault on Russian territory. This strike has marked the largest such attack since the conflict began. Consequently, Moscow launched an air raid on Kyiv, intensifying the aerial aspects of the war.
Russian Regions Under Attack
Early Wednesday morning, six Russian regions, including the capital Moscow, came under drone attack. Near the Estonian border in Pskov, several transport planes were reportedly damaged when drones targeted an airport.
Russian authorities have not reported any casualties, claiming to have successfully combated most of the drone strikes. They also reported downing a Ukrainian missile over eastern Crimea and at least one drone over the Bryansk region in western Russia.
The aftermath of the drone that hit Russia on August 30. Source| Sky News
Oleg Kryuchkov, an advisor to the Russia-appointed head of Crimea, noted that fragments of the missile that fell in eastern Crimea caused a fire in a field but provided no further details.
Massive Airstrike on Kyiv
Meanwhile, Kyiv officials reported a “massive” bombardment on the Ukrainian capital overnight. According to Serhii Popko, the head of the city’s Military Administration, Kyiv had not experienced such a powerful attack since spring.
Popko explained that several groups of drones approached Kyiv from different directions, followed by missile launches toward the capital. The attack resulted in the deaths of two individuals, aged 26 and 36. Three others were injured from falling debris, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander in Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, revealed that across Ukraine, 28 cruise missiles had been downed. 15 out of 16 drones launched overnight had been destroyed.
Residents of Kyiv described the terrifying experience, with Yelena Yemelyanova, 69, stating, “The wave of the blast swung me to the corridor wall. Everything fell from the kitchen cabinets.” Another resident, Victor Savchuk, shared that his 15-year-old grandson was injured when debris fell on him.
Ukraine has recently escalated its attacks on strategic targets within Russia by air, even as it continues to face assaults on its own cities. This shift aims at wearing down domestic Russian support for the war.
Following the drone raids, all four Moscow airports temporarily suspended flight operations, causing disruption for passengers. Several flights were redirected to alternate airports, but normal operations later resumed.
In the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, air defenses reportedly derailed a Ukrainian drone attack on a television tower. The governor of Bryansk also claimed that Ukrainian military forces had fired at the village of Klimovo with multiple launch rocket systems, resulting in unspecified casualties.
Additionally, Pskov, a western Russian city, experienced drone attacks, damaging four Il-76 aircraft and causing a fire. Flights in the Pskov region were restricted as a result.
Kremlin’s Response
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the increase in drone attacks on Russia to what he called the “continued terrorist activity of the Kyiv regime.”
He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is receiving timely and up-to-date information on all developments. Fierce fighting and slow movement continue in the ground war.
Ukraine has increased evacuations of children from the frontline town of Kupiansk as Russian forces advance toward the city. Kupiansk, located in northeastern Ukraine, lies over 200 miles from the southern front. This is where Ukrainian troops are making gradual progress in their counter-offensive.
This dual front of fighting may indicate attempts by both sides to draw opposition troops away from their primary objectives. The Ukrainian military reported further progress in the southern front, specifically toward the villages of Novodanylivka and Verbove.
Success in the Verbove area would expand Ukrainian-controlled territory as they advance toward the strategically significant hub of Tokmak, currently occupied by Russian forces.
