Ukraine intensifies its military strategy with a major drone assault on Moscow, while pushing forward in the Kursk region, marking significant developments in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine has launched one of its most extensive drone offensives on Moscow, signaling a bold escalation in its military strategy as Ukrainian forces advance in Russia’s Kursk region. The Russian defense ministry reported that 11 drones were intercepted before reaching the capital, with several brought down over Podolsk, a city 24 miles south of Moscow, near Domodedovo International Airport. Residents in the area reported hearing the ominous buzzing of drones followed by loud explosions.
The ministry also claimed to have destroyed 45 drones across Russian territory, including 23 over Bryansk and six over Belgorod. Two were intercepted over Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been conducting operations for more than two weeks. Additional drones were downed over Kaluga, and sightings were reported in Murmansk, targeting a strategic bomber airfield.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, described the assault as “one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow using drones ever,” highlighting the growing reach of Ukraine’s drone capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of advanced weapons, such as ballistic and cruise missiles, within Russian territory. He argued that previous “red lines” imposed by the Biden administration are no longer relevant as the conflict spreads deeper into Russia. However, the US, UK, and France have yet to revise their policies, limiting the use of such weaponry to border areas.
In response, Kyiv has intensified its drone program, targeting around 200 critical infrastructure sites linked to Russian military logistics, including factories, fuel depots, and refineries. Fires have been reported at an oil depot in Proletarsk, Rostov oblast, following a drone strike four days ago, with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze. At least 13 personnel have been hospitalized due to the ongoing fire.
Meanwhile, Russia continues its own extensive use of drones, frequently launching attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russia has fired nearly 12,000 missiles and drones since the invasion began in 2022, with only 43% intercepted. About half of these attacks have targeted civilian areas.
On the ground, Ukrainian forces are making strategic gains in the Kursk region. Russian military bloggers reported that Ukrainian armored vehicles were destroyed by drones near Glushkovo, a village close to the Ukrainian incursion’s edge. Kyiv’s forces have created a “buffer zone” covering over 1,250 square kilometers. Ukrainian troops have also bombed key bridges and a pontoon across the Seym River, crucial to Russian supply lines.
Video footage released on Wednesday showed US-supplied HIMARS rockets striking the pontoon crossing near Glushkovo, causing multiple explosions. Ukrainian drones also targeted Russian engineering equipment in the area.
Two weeks ago, Ukrainian forces captured Sudzha, and they are now nearing the town of Korenovo, with reports suggesting they have reached its northeastern outskirts. Despite these advances, the Ukrainian military has faced significant losses. The Kremlin has responded by deploying additional reserves to the frontline, transferring units from southern Ukraine to counter Kyiv’s progress.
In a parallel development, Russian forces have continued their offensive in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. They have reportedly seized two more villages—Komyshivka and Zhuravka—after taking control of Niu-York earlier this week. The frontlines have moved dangerously close to Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, prompting local authorities to urge civilians to evacuate.
As the conflict intensifies on multiple fronts, Ukraine claimed to have repelled over 40 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk on Wednesday, with heavy casualties reported on both sides. While Kyiv reported 238 Russian troops killed or wounded, it did not disclose its own losses.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved
