KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – In the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both nations engaged in a significant aerial confrontation overnight on Saturday, with each side reporting the deployment of over 100 enemy drones across their territories. This escalation comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, where they discussed the potential for a 30-day ceasefire in the war, which has been ongoing for more than three years.
The Volgograd regional governor, Andrei Bocharov, confirmed that pieces of fallen drone debris had ignited a fire in the Krasnoarmeysky district of the city, located near a Lukoil oil refinery. Although nearby airports temporarily ceased operations due to the incident, no casualties were reported in connection with the fire. The Volgograd refinery has previously been a target for Ukrainian forces, with the most recent attack occurring on February 15.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its forces successfully shot down a total of 126 Ukrainian drones during the assault, with 64 of those destroyed specifically in the Volgograd region. Drones were also intercepted over several other regions, including Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, Rostov, and Kursk, as cited by local officials.
On the Ukrainian side, the air force stated that Russia launched a significant wave of 178 drones alongside two ballistic missiles against its territory during the night. This incursion comprised a mix of Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones aimed at masking their actual targets, resulting in the destruction of approximately 130 drones, while an additional 38 drones were lost on their approach to intended targets.
In terms of damage inflicted, Russia's strikes targeted energy infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions of Ukraine. According to the private energy company DTEK, these attacks caused considerable damage, leaving some residents without electricity. DTEK assured that energy workers were promptly mobilized and working diligently to restore power to affected homes.
The intensifying drone warfare between the two nations illustrates the ongoing volatility and complexity of the conflict, which has seen significant aerial engagement from both sides. The recent statistics depicting the number of drones employed and intercepted underline the escalation in combat strategies as both Russia and Ukraine adapt to the evolving battlefield landscape.
As the war continues, international diplomatic efforts persist in exploring ceasefire opportunities, yet the current situation reflects a stark reminder of the destruction and loss that has characterized this prolonged conflict.
