Overview
- The Russian assault began Wednesday evening and used two Kh-59 missiles plus about 580 drones launched from multiple Russian and occupied-Crimea directions, Ukrainian forces reported.
- Ukraine’s air defences say they neutralized 536 of the roughly 580 drones, and that interception rates for jet-powered drones have risen to about 76 percent.
- Nearly 360 drones targeted the Kirovohrad region, where attacks struck 26 locations, damaged critical logistics and infrastructure, and killed three civilians with six injured, regional officials said.
- Ukrainian or allied drones were reported to have struck Russian energy and industrial sites, including a multi-tank blaze at the Rostov Novoshakhtinsk terminal, a reported fire at Rosneft’s Ryazan refinery, and damage near the Balakovo metallurgical plant, but some claims remain developing and partially unverified.
- The strikes follow a brief pause in Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities after a U.S. energy ceasefire request and highlight rising cross-border drone use, increasing civilian risk, strain on fuel supplies and ongoing verification challenges from reliance on regional statements and OSINT monitoring.