Ukraine Drone Attacks Russia
Ukraine launches drone attacks on 8 Russian regions, killing 3 people
In response to Russia’s intensification of attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems and cities, Ukraine launched a drone strike targeting multiple Russian regions, including refineries, energy facilities, and power plants. The attack resulted in fires at several locations, with casualties reported in the Belgorod region.
In retaliation, Ukraine called on NATO members to increase the supply of weapons to counter Russia’s air superiority and ground forces. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $95 billion security assistance bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which President Biden is expected to sign.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense as civilian casualties continue to rise, with President Zelensky urging Western support to defend against Russian aggression.
Key Concepts
- Ukraine used long-range attack drones to target Russian regions, including refineries and power plants.
- Russia confirmed the attack, with casualties reported in the Belgorod region.
- Ukraine launched the drone strikes in retaliation for Russian attacks on its energy systems and cities.
- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $95 billion security assistance bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky called on NATO members to increase weapon supplies to counter Russia’s air superiority.
- NATO has agreed to provide Ukraine with more weapons, including anti-aircraft weapons.
- Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities resulted in civilian casualties, with recent attacks in Chernihiv killing 18 people.
- President Zelensky condemned Russia’s targeting of grain export terminals in Pivdennyi as part of a deliberate strategy to inflict maximum damage.
A Ukrainian intelligence source told the media on Saturday that Ukraine used dozens of long-range attack drones to launch attacks on eight Russian regions, hitting refineries and energy facilities, setting an oil depot on fire, and attacking three power plants.
The source said that videos on social media showed fires burning in different areas. “At least three sub-power plants and an oil depot were hit and caught fire.”
The source said these facilities support Russia’s military-industrial production.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the overnight attack, saying it shot down 50 drones, 26 of which were destroyed in the Belgorod border area of Russia.
Belgorod’s governor wrote on social media that the attack killed a man and a woman and that local shelling later killed a pregnant woman.
Russian authorities said that 10 drones were hit in the Bryansk region, 8 in the Kursk region, 2 in the Tula region, and 4 in Moscow. Destroy 1 drone in each area.
The attacks in Ukraine come in response to Russia’s recent intensification of attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems and many cities.
Sources said the overnight drone attack was carried out jointly by Ukraine’s National Security Service, the Defense Intelligence Service, and special operations forces.
Sources said Ukraine launched the drone strikes to compensate for the disadvantage of Russian weapons and troops on the battlefield while waiting for increased U.S. military aid.
Ukraine is anxiously awaiting U.S. assistance. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $95 billion security assistance bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan that has broad bipartisan support on Saturday. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation after it passes the Senate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday expressed his gratitude to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the bill. He wrote on the Thousands of lives have been lost, helping our two countries become stronger.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Ukraine aid bill would “further destroy” Ukraine and lead to more deaths.
Peskov told the media that a provision in the bill allowing the U.S. government to seize Russian assets and transfer them to Ukraine for reconstruction would tarnish the image of the United States.
He also said that Russia would respond with measures in line with its own interests.
Zelensky said on Friday that while Western military aid was delayed, Ukraine had been attacked by about 1,200 missiles, 1,500 drones, and 8,500 guided bombs this year.
Zelensky appeals
Zelensky called on NATO members on Friday to step up the supply of weapons to ammunition-starved Ukraine to counter Russia’s air superiority and larger ground forces.
“NATO must decide whether to be an ally of Kiev,” he told a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels via video. “Our skies must be safe again.”
He called on Western partners to provide at least seven more air defense systems. Russia just hours ago Attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles.
A Russian attack in the Dnepropetrovsk region of eastern Ukraine killed at least eight people, including two children. But Ukraine said it shot down a Russian long-range bomber that fired a missile for the first time.
Zelensky compared the West’s efforts to protect Israel with Ukraine’s defense against Russia, saying more could be done to help Ukraine repel Russian air strikes.
He told NATO defense ministers that Ukraine cannot protect itself without Western support. “Now Russia has clear air superiority and can rely on its drones and rocket terror, while our ground capabilities are unfortunately limited.”
NATO Secretary-General Stoll and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said earlier on Friday that NATO had agreed to provide Ukraine with more weapons, including anti-aircraft weapons.
“I expect a new announcement soon on Ukraine’s air defense capabilities,” he said.
Ukraine faces a surge in devastating Russian attacks on its cities. Earlier this week, an attack in the city of Chernihiv killed 18 people.
Zelensky said earlier on Friday that he inspected Ukraine’s frontline troops and new defense lines in the Donetsk region.
He also said Russia attacked two-grain export terminals at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi on Friday.
He said this was “part of Russia’s deliberate strategy to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine and countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural products.”