In a dramatic escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both countries reported a significant number of drones shot down over their territories overnight. Russia claimed to have destroyed around 60 drones and several missiles, while Ukraine said they took down over 30 Russian drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that 57 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the southern Krasnodar region, with debris from one drone hitting an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban. Videos circulating online showed an explosion at the refinery, although the authenticity of the footage could not be verified.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that all 37 Russian drones launched against the country were successfully intercepted by their air defense systems. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russia recently launched a new offensive, one person was killed and 11 others were wounded in shelling over the previous day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a visit to China that the offensive in the Kharkiv region was aimed at creating a buffer zone and not capturing the city itself. Ukrainian troops are currently engaged in fierce fighting to halt Russian advances in the region.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire and casualties mount. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns growing about the potential for further escalation in the conflict.