Russia has announced that Ukraine initiated drone attacks on various targets in six Russian regions, highlighting an assault on an airport in the city of Pskov, located near the borders of Latvia and Estonia. This airport, where military transport aircraft were reportedly damaged and a massive fire ensued amid explosions, suffered significant consequences. The attack marks a substantial event, possibly the largest drone strike on Russian territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine the previous year. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Wednesday morning that drones were also taken down over Orlov, Bryansk, Ryazan, Kaluga, and the Moscow region, encircling the Russian capital.
As reported by Russian state news agency TASS, emergency services stated that four Il-76 heavy transport aircraft, a staple in the Russian military’s operations, were harmed at an airfield situated in Russia’s western Pskov region, approximately 660 kilometers (about 411 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.
Mikhail Vedernikov, the regional Governor of Pskov, confirmed the ongoing incident and said, “The defense ministry is repelling a drone attack in Pskov’s airport,” along with sharing a video depicting a substantial fire accompanied by explosions and sirens. Vedernikov, present at the site, indicated that preliminary information suggested no casualties. The extent of damage incurred by the airport was in the process of being evaluated.
Russia has repeatedly alleged that Ukraine has been executing drone strikes on its territory in recent months. While specific drone attacks haven’t been officially claimed by Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky previously asserted that assaults on Russian territory were a “natural and entirely justified process.”
According to Russian media sources monitored by the BBC, over 160 suspected aerial drone attacks have been documented this year in Russia and Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. Additionally, a dozen sea drone attacks have been reported on Russian targets within the Black Sea, including naval bases and the Crimean Bridge.
In a responsive move, Russia launched a missile and drone strike against Kyiv on Wednesday morning, which Mayor Vitali Klitschko described as the “most powerful strike” on the Ukrainian capital in months. This attack resulted in the death of two individuals and one person being injured. Ukrainian air defenses effectively neutralized over 20 missiles and drones engaged in the attack while falling debris led to the unfortunate demise of two security guards. The Kyiv City Military Administration confirmed the intensity of the attack, highlighting that air defense forces eliminated more than 20 enemy targets.
In the ongoing conflict, tensions remain high between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides continuing to engage in military actions and counter-actions.
Source: with agencies