According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia initiated an overnight incursion using 38 assault drones and a pair of Iskander-M ballistic missiles. The data, shared via the Telegram messaging platform, revealed that a majority of these drones, specifically 30, were intercepted over diverse Ukrainian regions. However, the situation of the remaining drones was not mentioned.
In the early hours of 4.20am, Ukraine received new alerts about the potential of further airborne strikes across the country, which was relayed in a separate Telegram notification by the air force.
Meanwhile, reports from Russian news outlets claim that the country’s air defence units neutralised 14 Ukrainian drones, which had their sights on regions including Kursk, Voronezh, and Belgorod. Supposedly, a dozen of these drones were shot down over Kursk, while Voronezh and Belgorod each saw one drone fall from the sky. Details concerning the exact number of drones deployed by Ukraine during the night were not released.
In a related development, Russia asserted on Monday that it relocated upwards of 133,000 citizens from border regions in response to an unexpected manoeuvre by Ukraine which resulted in the seizure of roughly 1,000 square km of land. This offensive movement, the first time Russia has been invaded via land since WWII, has reportedly taken Russian forces aback.
Russian head of state, Vladimir Putin, in a meeting with officials promised a fitting retaliation, suggesting disciplinary measures for those who failed to forecast the attack. Putin affirmed that a review of ongoing events would be executed, while emphasising the need to rebuff the adversary, regain control of invaded land, and reinforce border security. Putin also insinuated that the conflict may extend to other regions within Russia.
“Facing the odds of potentially losing a segment of Russia’s internationally acknowledged territory for the first time since initiating the comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, Mr Putin accused Kyiv of attempting to block Russia’s progression along the front and enhance its bargaining power for subsequent peace discussions.
[Over 133,000 in Russia displaced by Ukraine’s entry Opens in new window]
The Russian premier further alleged an intensification of his forces’ progression elsewhere along the frontline. He declared that Moscow wouldn’t partake in any prospective peace negotiations with Kyiv.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his inaugural full admission of the invasion, described it as a “defensive measure” on Monday and revealed that he had requested the security services as well as the interior ministry to devise a “humanitarian plan” for the region controlled by Ukrainian forces.
Experts suggest that Ukraine’s thrust into Russian land could be a strategic move in potential peace discussions, and an effort to distract Moscow’s forces from the front line in Ukraine. Extra reportage from Reuters
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