Ukraine Unleashes Massive Drone Assault on Russian Targets

Ukraine has launched its largest-ever drone attack on Russian targets, with kamikaze drones hitting oil depots, plunging cities into darkness, and targeting a key port. The attack claimed the lives of two civilians in the Belgorod region while also sparking a fire at the Tuapse refinery on the Black Sea coast.

Ukraine has executed its largest-ever drone attack on Russian targets, targeting multiple cities and critical infrastructure. The assault, which utilized kamikaze drones, caused explosions at oil depots and plunged the cities of Novorossiysk and Sevastopol into darkness. Additionally, a third key port, Tuapse, came under attack.

Russia's military stated in a press release that it had intercepted and destroyed a total of 102 drones during the attack. The drones targeted several areas within the Belgorod region and along the Black Sea coast. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported the tragic deaths of a mother and child in a car bombing, while authorities successfully extinguished the fire at the Tuapse refinery.

The attack resulted in the deaths of two civilians in the Belgorod region. Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev announced the cancellation of classes and warned of ongoing power outages as the region grapples with the damage caused by the drone strikes.

The Tuapse refinery, recently repaired after a previous fire in January, was once again targeted by the drones. The refinery is responsible for producing approximately 12 million metric tons of fuel annually, supplying nations such as Turkey, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to China, claimed that the attack on Kharkiv was a response to alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian villages. He stated that Moscow was compelled to create a "buffer zone" to protect its territory.

Putin emphasized the significance of the Moscow-Beijing partnership in shaping the "emerging multipolar world." He dismissed concerns that the alliance was directed against any specific party, stating its purpose was to enhance the well-being of the people of Russia and China.

Last week, Ukraine reportedly repelled a Russian incursion into Kharkiv. White House spokesperson John Kirby indicated that Russia was likely to intensify its attacks and deploy more troops to the region in the coming weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russian forces had advanced into the Kharkiv region, prompting Kyiv to expand its operations to prevent further encroachment towards the country's second-largest city.