Russia has successfully halted a massive drone attack by Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry reports that 20 Ukrainian drones were shot down on Saturday, mostly over Moscow-controlled Crimea. According to Russian officials, 18 of these Ukrainian drones were downed over Crimea, with others in different regions.
In recent days, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has escalated, with an increase in aerial attacks. Russia launched over 500 drones and 45 missiles across 14 Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian air defense systems managed to intercept several attacks, but a few missiles breached the defense.
According to Ukrainian local authorities, the attacks caused power disruptions in many areas, injuring several people. Numerous homes and power plants sustained damage. Cities like Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk, and Dnipro were severely affected, with power outages affecting 2,500 homes in Zaporizhzhia.
At least three people lost their lives, and over 40 were injured, including children, in these assaults.
The Ukrainian military claims they conducted retaliatory attacks in Russian-occupied territories. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, they launched drone strikes on Russia's Krasnodar and Syzran oil refineries, causing fires.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated that Moscow deliberately timed these attacks ahead of an upcoming leaders' meeting on the conflict. He urged for energy and banking sanctions against Moscow.
Ukraine's Former Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy Murdered
Ukraine's former Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy has been confirmed murdered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this on Saturday, describing it as a 'heinous murder.' He posted on X, 'My condolences to his family and loved ones. All necessary forces and resources have been deployed to find and investigate the murderer.'
