Russians Launch 89 Drones at Ukraine, Capture Two More Villages

In the largest drone attack on Kyiv, reminiscent of a similar strike on January 1st, the Russian military launched 89 drones overnight. Ukrainian air forces successfully shot down all 89 drones and one X-59 missile. In response, Ukraine launched an attack on Russian territory. More details on the front line situation can be found in our article.

Russian drone attack on Kyiv

Last night, Russian forces launched dozens of kamikaze drones towards Kyiv in one of the largest such attacks in the history of the war. The air raid alarm in central Ukraine lasted all night. Additionally, the Russians used an X-59 missile to target Mykolaiv, which was also shot down by Ukrainian air forces. All 89 drones targeting Kyiv met the same fate.

Drones pass through Belarusian airspace

Several residential buildings in the Kyiv region were damaged, but there were no civilian casualties. During the Russian attack, the drones violated Belarusian airspace, prompting Ukrainian forces to verify their origin. The kamikaze drones altered their courses to attack Kyiv from different directions, yet all were intercepted and destroyed.

Ukrainian response and counterattacks

Simultaneously, air raid sirens blared in Russia as Ukrainian forces retaliated, targeting the Kursk, Bryansk, Kaluga, and Rostov regions with drones. Russian Telegram channels claim a Ukrainian-made Neptune missile was shot down over Russia. The intended targets were Russian airbases launching hostile fighter jets equipped with attack missiles. Kyiv has not yet commented on these reports.

Intensified front line clashes

Russian forces have intensified assault operations near Hulyaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region. "Following a spontaneous success, the Russians are amassing and strengthening their reserves," reported Dmytro Lyhovyi, spokesperson for the Tavria unit, on Ukrainian television during the Telemarathon program.

"We haven't had many combat encounters under Zaporizhzhia compared to Donbas. But a significant change has occurred. After a long hiatus, the Russians launched an assault near Hulyaipole"
he added.

Lyhovyi stated that the enemy made two assault attempts from different directions, suffering significant losses with hundreds of soldiers killed daily under Zaporizhzhia.