Kyiv: The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia saw an escalation with both nations engaging in drone attacks over the weekend. Russia reported shooting down approximately 60 Ukrainian drones and intercepting several missiles overnight into Sunday, while Ukraine announced the destruction of over 30 Russian drones. The intensifying conflict is concentrated in Ukraine’s war-torn northeastern regions.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 57 Ukrainian drones were downed over the southern Krasnodar region on Saturday night. Local military officials confirmed that debris from these drones hit an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, though no fires or significant damage were reported. Local news outlet Astra shared videos that appeared to show an explosion at the refinery, though these videos have not been independently verified.
Additionally, nine long-range ballistic missiles and a drone were intercepted over the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula following a major Ukrainian drone assault on Friday that disrupted power in Sevastopol.
In the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, three more drones were shot down. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that falling drone debris ignited a church roof, though there were no casualties.
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Tragically, Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Ukraine’s partially occupied Kherson region, reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on a minibus resulted in one fatality and injured 16 people on Sunday morning.
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In response, Ukrainian air force officials confirmed that all 37 Russian drones launched against Ukraine overnight were successfully intercepted.
The northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russia recently intensified its offensive, continues to be a hotspot. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that shelling over the past day resulted in one death and 11 injuries. Ukrainian forces are fiercely resisting Russian advances in this area.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to China on Friday, stated that the offensive in the Kharkiv region aims to establish a buffer zone, with no intentions of capturing the city.
