Russia claimed to have shot down 660 drones during the largest-scale attack since the start of the war
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the largest nighttime drone attack on Russian territory since the start of the full-scale invasion.
According to the Russian military, on the night of June 26, air defense systems allegedly intercepted and destroyed 660 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions of the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Russia also stated that previous records were set on May 17 (556 drones) and June 18 (555 drones). At that time, according to Russian data, Ukrainian forces launched up to 992 drones toward Russia in a single day.
According to reports from Russian regions, one of the main targets of the attack was the Tula Region, where 157 drones were reportedly shot down. In Novomoskovsk, damage to an industrial facility was reported, as well as a fire at a thermal power plant that provides heat to a significant portion of the city.
According to Astra media, drones struck the Azot plant in the Tula region—one of the largest producers of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers in Russia, which, according to Reuters, may have been involved in the production of explosive components. A fire at an energy facility was also reported.
According to Russian sources, Moscow was another target of the attack. The capital’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that at least 47 drones were allegedly shot down as they approached the city. No information about casualties was reported. Operations at Moscow’s airports were temporarily restricted.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Ukraine is stepping up its use of medium-range drone strikes against Russian logistics, air defense systems, and infrastructure, which is affecting the course of the fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously stated that Russia is redeploying air defense systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge area, thereby weakening defenses in other regions.
On the night of June 26, a drone attack was recorded in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Explosions were heard in the Kerch area, where important military and logistical facilities of the Russian occupiers are located.
On June 25, explosions were heard in Ufa, Russia, after which a thick column of black smoke was visible near one of the industrial facilities.
The Moscow Oil Refinery, which was attacked overnight, controls one-third of the fuel market in the Russian capital.
