Russia Intercepts Over 158 Ukrainian Drones in Overnight Assault; Moscow and Border Regions Targeted

Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 158 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defence Ministry said Sunday.

Heavy Drone Activity Over Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh, and Belgorod Regions

Forty-six of the drones were over the Kursk region, where Ukraine has sent its forces in recent weeks in the largest incursion on Russian soil since World War II. A further 34 were shot over the Bryansk region, 28 over the Voronezh region, and 14 over the Belgorod region — all of which border Ukraine.

Drones Target Deeper Russian Regions

Drones were also shot down deeper into Russia, including one each in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, and the Ivanovo region, northeast of the Russian capital. Russia's Defence Ministry said drones were intercepted over 15 regions, while one other governor said a drone was shot down over his region, too.

Moscow Mayor Reports Fire at Oil Refinery

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that falling debris from one of the two drones shot down over the city caused a fire at an oil refinery.

Ukraine's Drone Strikes Reach Deep into Russia

Ukrainian drone strikes have brought the fight far from the front line into the heart of Russia. Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals to slow down the Kremlin's assault.

Missile Attacks in Belgorod Region Wound Nine

Also in Russia, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said nine people were wounded in Ukrainian aerial missile attacks in the Russian border region of Belgorod on Sunday. These included eight in the regional capital, also called Belgorod.

Russian Forces Capture Towns in Donetsk Region

Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry said Sunday it had taken control of the towns of Pivnichne and Vyimka, in Ukraine's Donetsk region. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim.

Russia Advances Towards Pokrovsk, Ukraine

Russian forces have been driving deeper into the partly occupied eastern region, the total capture of which is one of the Kremlin's primary ambitions. Russia's army is closing in on Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for the Ukrainian defence in the area.

Casualties in Kurakhove Amid Russian Shelling

At least three people were killed and nine wounded on Sunday in Russian shelling in the town of Kurakhove, some 20 miles (33 kilometres) south of Pokrovsk, Donetsk regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said.

Ukrainian Forces Down Russian Drones Overnight

In Ukraine overnight, eight drones were shot down out of 11 launched by Russia, according to the Ukrainian air force.

Casualties and Damage in Sumy and Kharkiv Regions

One person was killed and four wounded in shelling overnight in the Sumy region, local officials said, while Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said five people were wounded in his region. On Sunday, 41 more were wounded when Russia shelled the regional capital, also called Kharkiv, Syniehubov said.

Syniehubov said a shopping centre, a sports facility, and residential buildings were among those damaged in Sunday's attack.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)