Russian air defence intercepts 59 Ukrainian drones overnight

Russia’s air defence units successfully intercepted and destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two that were heading towards Moscow, the Russian defence ministry reported on November 18.

According to the ministry, 45 of the drones were downed over the Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine. Additionally, drones were intercepted over the Moscow, Kursk, Belgorod, and Tula regions, Caliber.Az reports per Russian Ministry of Defence.

“Preliminary reports indicate there is no damage or casualties at the locations where debris fell,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated on Telegram.

Alexander Bogomaz, governor of the Bryansk region, confirmed on Telegram that all drones launched by Ukraine targeting the region had been neutralised.

There has been no immediate response from Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have previously asserted that drone strikes within Russian territory are aimed at infrastructure vital to Moscow’s war operations and are a countermeasure to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Meanwhile, outgoing US President Joe Biden is set to allow Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to strike within Russian territory, according to reports from outlets such as Reuters, the Associated Press, and the New York Times.

Three sources, including two US officials, informed on November 17, that Ukraine is planning long-range attacks using these weapons in the coming days. While the White House has yet to comment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that the missiles would "speak for themselves."

“Today, many media outlets are reporting that we have been given permission to act accordingly,” Zelenskyy said during his evening address.

“However, strikes are not carried out with words. Such matters are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves.”

The decision comes as Biden prepares to leave office in two months, with President-elect Donald Trump due to be inaugurated on January 20. Trump and his incoming administration have expressed a more sceptical stance on substantial support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, raising questions about whether he will reverse the policy.

Trump has pledged to end the war swiftly but has not provided specific details on how he plans to achieve this.

Sources indicate that Ukraine intends to use US-manufactured Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 kilometres). 

By Aghakazim Guliyev