Russia and Ukraine Exchange Major Drone Strikes, Targeting Each Other’s Cities
In a significant escalation, Russia and Ukraine have engaged in their largest drone assaults against each other since the conflict began. Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting 84 Ukrainian drones across six regions, including several heading towards Moscow, which led to flight diversions at three of Moscow’s major airports.
At the same time, Ukraine’s air force stated that Russia launched 145 drones across Ukrainian territories on Saturday night, with most being intercepted.
This uptick in attacks comes amid anticipation of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump possibly urging both nations to seek peace.
Ukraine’s drone assault on Moscow was one of the most extensive attempts on the capital since the war’s onset, deemed “massive” by the regional governor. The majority of these drones were brought down in Moscow’s Ramenskoye, Kolomna, and Domodedovo districts, Russian officials reported. Ramenskoye, located southwest of Moscow, saw five people injured and four homes catch fire from falling debris as 34 drones were reportedly downed in the area.
Drone strikes are no stranger to Moscow’s periphery, with incidents like the September attack that killed a woman in Ramenskoye and previous strikes near the Kremlin and the Moscow City business district in 2022.
In Ukraine, at least two people were injured by a drone strike in Odesa. Photos depicted buildings in flames and visible structural damage. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 62 Russian drones, while 67 drones were deemed “lost,” and 10 others exited Ukraine’s airspace, heading towards Russia, Belarus, and Moldova.
As the drone attacks rage on, Russian troops have reportedly achieved their most significant territorial advances since March 2022, according to data from the Institute for the Study of War. However, the toll on Russian forces has been staggering, with U.K. army chief Sir Tony Radakin noting an average of 1,500 casualties daily in October alone.
The recent U.S. election has fueled speculation about Trump’s potential approach to the conflict. During his campaign, Trump claimed he could end the war “within a day” but has yet to reveal his strategy.
A former Trump advisor, Bryan Lanza, suggested that the new administration might prioritize peace efforts over enabling Ukraine to reclaim occupied territories. However, Trump’s spokesperson distanced the president-elect from Lanza’s remarks, affirming that Lanza does not represent Trump’s views.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed optimism, referencing Trump’s campaign statements about pursuing peace rather than a military defeat for Russia. Trump has reportedly spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since his election, with sources describing the call as lasting around 30 minutes.
Zelensky, who has consistently opposed conceding any territory to Russia, warned that losing U.S. support could jeopardize Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian assault.
