In a significant escalation of tensions, Ukrainian drones reportedly carried out a series of coordinated attacks on multiple regions, including a Russian airport, in what is being described as a large-scale raid. The attacks, which targeted six different regions, mark a concerning development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia said that Ukraine launched drones against targets in six Russian regions, including an attack on an airport in the western city of Pskov – located near the borders of Latvia and Estonia – where military transport aircraft were reported damaged amid explosions and a huge fire.
In what could be the biggest drone attack on Russian territory since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday morning that drones were also shot down over the regions of Orlov, Bryansk, Ryazan, Kaluga and the Moscow region surrounding the Russian capital.
According to sources on the ground, the drones carried out precision strikes on key military installations, infrastructure, and strategic locations. The most prominent target was a Russian airport, which was reportedly hit in what Ukrainian officials have called a response to alleged provocations by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian government has not claimed responsibility for the attacks at this time, and there has been no official confirmation of the extent of the damage or casualties resulting from the raids. However, reports suggest that the strikes have caused disruptions in the affected regions, leading to heightened tensions in an already volatile situation.
The international community has reacted swiftly to the reported attacks, expressing concerns about the escalation of violence and the potential for further destabilization in the region. Diplomatic efforts are underway to gather more information and de-escalate the situation.
Russian state news agency TASS, quoting emergency services, said earlier on Wednesday that four Il-76 heavy transport aircraft, which have long been the workhorse of the Russian military, were damaged at an airfield in Russia’s western Pskov region, located roughly 660km (some 411 miles) north of Ukrainian border.
“The defence ministry is repelling a drone attack in Pskov’s airport,” the regional Governor Mikhail Vedernikov said on the Telegram messaging app, posting a video of a large fire, with sounds of explosions and sirens in the background.
Vedernikov, who was at the scene of the attack, said that “according to preliminary information, there are no victims”
Both Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a prolonged conflict that started several years ago, with periodic flare-ups of violence occurring along their shared border. The situation has attracted global attention and drawn in various international actors seeking to mediate and find a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, Russia also launched a missile and drone attack against Kyiv on Wednesday morning that was described as the “most powerful strike” on the Ukrainian capital in months, leaving two people dead and one wounded, the city’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian air defences destroyed more than 20 missiles and drones involved in the attack and two security guards were killed by falling debris, according to authorities.
“Kyiv had not experienced such a powerful attack since spring … In total, more than 20 enemy targets were destroyed by air defence forces,” the Kyiv city military administration wrote on Telegram.
As the situation develops, the world watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution to prevent further bloodshed and ensure the safety and security of the affected populations. The recent drone attacks highlight the need for continued international efforts to find a diplomatic solution and avoid a further escalation of the conflict.
It is important to note that details surrounding the reported attacks are still emerging, and accurate and up-to-date information is crucial to understanding the situation fully. As events unfold, reliable news sources will provide the most current and accurate information to the public.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS