In one of the largest overnight drone barrages, Russia claims its air defense forces intercepted 99 drones targeting key cities and infrastructure across western Russia. Airports in St. Petersburg, Kaluga, and Volgograd were paralyzed, with 70+ flights delayed. Train services in Volgograd faced hours-long halts after drone debris damaged railway power lines. Debris fell in residential and industrial areas, reportedly injuring at least one person in Leningrad Oblast.
The Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of orchestrating the strikes, with Kyiv yet to issue a statement. Targeted regions included Bryansk, Smolensk, Kaluga, Volgograd, Rostov, and even occupied Crimea and Moscow. While Russia continues its aggressive strikes on Ukraine, this retaliation suggests an expanding and unpredictable aerial conflict zone. The Kyiv Independent couldn’t verify the claims independently. This is a rapidly developing story.
