Over 100 Ukrainian Drones Shot Down Over Russia; Widespread Damage Reported

Russian officials reported on Sunday the downing of more than 100 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions within Russia, marking one of the most extensive aerial assaults since the conflict escalated in February 2022. The Ministry of Defense in Russia noted that the barrage affected seven regions, with the southwestern Volgograd region being intensively targeted, where 67 drones were reportedly neutralized by Russian air defenses.

In the Voronezh region, debris from 17 drones was observed, causing damage to an apartment block and a private residence. Governor Aleksandr Gusev confirmed the incident, adding that social media images depicted flames emanating from the top floor of a high-rise building. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as a result of these attacks.

A further 18 drones were noted over the Rostov region, where they ignited a wildfire upon impact, according to Governor Vasily Golubev. He assured residents that the fire did not threaten populated areas, although emergency services were actively working to extinguish the blaze, which had spread over 20 hectares of forest.

In Ukraine, the southern city of Zaporizhzhia suffered an overnight assault, resulting in injuries to 16 civilians. The attack, comprising 10 separate incidents involving Russian-guided bombs, targeted a high-rise building and several residential homes, as reported by regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. Efforts to locate more individuals potentially trapped under the debris are ongoing.

In a separate incident, earlier on Saturday, Russian forces attacked a hospital in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to at least 22 others. Danielle Bell, head of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, indicated that “loitering munitions” struck the Saint Panteleimon Clinical Hospital. The majority of fatalities were sustained during a second strike, which occurred as first responders arrived, and patients were evacuating.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the situation, underscoring the strategic damages inflicted on Zaporizhzhia, including impacts on transportation links. He also participated in commemorations marking the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre, leveraging the historical atrocity to highlight the consequences of regimes led by intimidation and violence.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military leaders have expressed concerns over possible preparations by Russian forces for new offensive operations in the Zaporizhzhia region. According to Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, there are emerging signs of increased Russian personnel in this area.

On the defensive front, Ukraine’s air force reported the overnight launch of 22 Russian drones within Ukrainian territory. The air defense systems were successful in downing 15 drones across the Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions. Five additional drones were neutralized using electronic defenses, although the final whereabouts of the remaining two drones remain uncertain.