Ukraine carried out a significant drone strike on military and energy installations in Russia and the occupied region of Crimea during the night. Moscow has reported that more than 100 unmanned weapons were used in the operation.
The Russian Defense Ministry proudly announced that its forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a total of 102 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in four different regions. Additionally, six drone boats were taken out in the Black Sea. Although the ministry did not disclose the full extent of the damage caused by the attack, there were numerous reports of explosions in the Russian city of Novorossiysk. The governor of Sevastopol, who is backed by the Kremlin, also confirmed that a substation was damaged, resulting in a disruption of the power supply.
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According to a source from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) who spoke to the Kyiv Independent, the attack was conducted in collaboration between the SBU and Ukraine’s military intelligence. The source stated, “Today’s operation showcased the Russians’ inability to safeguard their primary naval bases in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.”
Residents in Novorossiysk, a city located in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region, reported an attack on the local oil infrastructure. They shared online videos capturing the sound of explosions and the sight of air defenses in action. According to preliminary information provided by Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, 10 drones were successfully intercepted, resulting in localized fires but no casualties. In a message on Telegram, Governor Kondratyev urged Novorossiysk residents to remain calm and refrain from sharing photos and videos of the air defense operations on social media.
Mikhail Razvozhaev, the governor of Sevastopol, stated that debris from “downed UAVs fell on the substation,” resulting in a partial blackout. He mentioned that the power outages were expected to last for approximately a day as workers restore the power grid. In response to the situation, he announced the cancellation of classes in all schools, secondary vocational education institutions, and kindergartens. Additionally, the city implemented measures to conserve energy during the repairs, such as suspending trolleybus services and keeping lights off in the city and shopping centers.
Ukraine has been launching attacks on infrastructure and military targets within Russian territory over the past few months. Additionally, there is a new Russian offensive currently underway in Ukraine’s northeastern territory, raising concerns about the potential fall of Kharkiv, which happens to be Ukraine’s second-largest city.
During a visit to China on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained to reporters that the attacks on the Kharkiv region were a direct response to Ukrainian shelling on Russia’s Belgorod region. He publicly stated that if the shelling continued, Russia would be compelled to establish a security zone, or a sanitary zone. Putin emphasized that this was exactly what they were doing. According to the Associated Press, he said, “I have said publicly that if it continues, we will be forced to create a security zone, a sanitary zone. That’s what we are doing.”
Putin stated that there are currently no intentions to seize control of the city of Kharkiv.
