Midnight UAV Attack from Ukraine on Russia
As Russian air defense systems shot down numerous drones overnight, Ukraine is preparing for a potential major airstrike.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that nearly 900 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted overnight across the country, as well as over Crimea and the Sea of Azov.
Overnight Air Defense Operations
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday that air defense systems intercepted nearly 900 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions of the country, the occupied Crimean Peninsula, and the Sea of Azov.
Unverified media reports claimed that following the attack, a major fuel depot in the Moscow region caught fire and two people lost their lives.
Drones Targeting Moscow and Its Surroundings
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, 650 drones flew toward the capital region.
He noted that the majority of these vehicles were destroyed at a distance, with 105 drones shot down as they approached the city and another 68 drones brought down during daylight hours.
Strikes and Clashes in Ukraine
Russian forces continued their attacks in Ukraine, targeting a bridge over the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia, residential buildings, and port infrastructure in the Odesa region.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone attack in the Black Sea hit a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship, resulting in one death and seven injuries.
Kyiv's Warnings of Expected Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Tuesday that they are preparing for a massive airstrike that could come from Russia.
Zelenskiy stated that up-to-date intelligence information has been received and countermeasures are being prepared accordingly.
Regional Moves from Lithuania and Sweden
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Lithuania's moves carrying the potential to host a U.S. military base and allow the deployment of American nuclear weapons, describing it as an escalating step.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden will deploy Patriot air defense systems and approximately 100 troops to help protect the Rzeszow logistics hub in Poland.