Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Russian airfields to date, targeting strategic sites and dealing a significant blow to the Kremlin. This unprecedented assault comes amid a surprise cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia, putting Moscow on the defensive and raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the operation, describing it as "precise, timely, and effective" in a video address. He also confirmed that Ukrainian forces had made advances into Russia's Kursk region, capturing Russian soldiers and even downing a Russian fighter jet. "Our Ukrainian drones work exactly as they should," Zelensky stated, underscoring the importance of drone warfare while acknowledging the need for additional weaponry to sustain the offensive.
A Ukrainian security source told CNN that the drone strikes, which targeted four airbases in the regions of Kursk, Voronezh, and Nizhny Novgorod, marked the most significant attack on Russian airfields since the war began. These strikes have exacerbated the already strained situation for Russian forces, who are struggling to counter Kyiv's relentless push.
Russia's defense ministry reported that it had intercepted and destroyed 117 drones and four tactical missiles over the Kursk and neighboring regions. Despite the lack of casualties, the attacks inflicted damage on infrastructure, vehicles, and properties, according to local officials. Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev warned of the potential for further drone assaults.
The Ukrainian military's General Staff confirmed that its air force had successfully destroyed a Russian SU-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, further showcasing the effectiveness of its aerial campaign. Meanwhile, the situation in Belgorod, adjacent to Kursk, has become increasingly dire, with the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, declaring a regional emergency and appealing to the Kremlin to escalate it to a federal level.
As Ukrainian forces continue their incursion into Russian territory, Zelensky has called for additional support from Western allies, particularly in the form of long-range missile systems. Despite some reluctance among Western nations to provide such weapons, Kyiv argues that they are essential for maintaining momentum in the conflict.
Ukraine's ground offensive represents a dramatic shift in the conflict, marking the first time foreign troops have entered Russian territory since World War II. This development has prompted tens of thousands of Russians to flee their homes, as Moscow scrambles to reinforce its defenses. Russian reserves have been pulled from key battlegrounds in Ukraine and Crimea to counter Kyiv's advances, signaling the severity of the situation.
According to Ukrainian officials, the primary objective of the operation in Kursk is to establish a "security zone" on Russian soil, which would protect Ukrainian border communities from continued artillery and missile attacks. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the creation of this buffer zone as a crucial step in shielding Ukrainian civilians from the daily barrage of enemy fire.
However, Ukraine's actions have sparked a furious response from Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it would halt peace negotiations with Ukraine, putting talks on an indefinite pause. Rodion Miroshnik, a special envoy for the ministry, indicated that the possibility of resuming discussions was now remote, given the ongoing hostilities.
As the conflict intensifies, the risk of a nuclear incident looms large. Russia's National Guard has tightened security around the Kursk nuclear plant in response to the escalating violence. The United Nations has urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a potential disaster.
Ukraine's rapid territorial gains in the Kursk region are significant, with Kyiv claiming control over 74 settlements and nearly 1,000 square kilometers of Russian land. These advances have compounded the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who vowed to "kick the enemy out" of Russia, even as his military struggles to contain the Ukrainian offensive.
