Russia launches overnight drone assault on Ukraine from multiple directions

In a large-scale overnight assault, Russian forces launched 71 Shahed-type strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and simulator drones against Ukraine from four directions, a statement by the Ukrainian Air Force said.

The UAVs were deployed from locations in the Russian cities of Bryansk, Millerovo, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

As of 9:00 a.m. local time, Ukrainian air defences had confirmed the neutralization of 52 drones across the eastern, southern, and northern regions of the country. Of these, 32 UAVs were destroyed through direct fire, while 20 were either suppressed or forced to land due to electronic warfare measures.

The attack triggered air defence activity in at least six different areas, with confirmed UAV interceptions in the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

The Ukrainian military continues to assess the full extent of the assault, including potential infrastructure damage and casualties, as air defence operations remain ongoing.

By Vafa Guliyeva