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This weekend marked one of the most intense exchanges of deadly drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine since the war began, as both countries launched large-scale strikes against each other.
On the Russian side, the Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 84 Ukrainian drones targeting six regions, including Moscow. The strikes disrupted flights from three major Moscow airports, forcing reroutes for passenger safety.
The region’s governor described Ukraine’s attack as "massive," with drones downed in areas like Ramenskoye, Kolomna, and Domodedovo. In Ramenskoye alone, five people were injured, four houses caught fire from falling debris, and 34 drones were reportedly intercepted.
This attack is the largest directed toward Moscow since the conflict began, marking a significant escalation. In previous incidents, such as in May 2022, drones reached as close as the Kremlin, while a September strike in Ramenskoye sadly resulted in the death of one civilian.
Ukraine was also hit hard in response, with its air force stating that Russia launched 145 drones across the country overnight. Images from the Odesa region showed flames engulfing buildings, with at least two people reportedly injured.
Ukrainian forces claim they intercepted 62 of Russia's drones while 67 were “lost” before hitting targets. Some drones reportedly crossed back into Russian and Belarusian territory.
These escalated drone attacks coincide with reports of intensified Russian military gains, which AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War indicates is the largest since March 2022. However, the UK’s chief of defense, Sir Tony Radakin, revealed that Russia has been suffering severe casualties in October, with an average of 1,500 casualties daily.
Adding to the tense backdrop is the speculation on how US president-elect Donald Trump might approach the conflict. Trump, who has indicated a desire to end the war "in a day," has yet to provide specific details.
His former adviser, Bryan Lanza, suggested that Trump may focus on peace rather than aiding Ukraine in regaining territory. However, Trump’s spokesperson clarified that Lanza’s comments did not represent Trump’s official stance.
Amid the situation, Trump reportedly spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for about 30 minutes after his election win. Zelensky has previously warned that without US support, Ukraine’s position would be severely compromised, making peace negotiations challenging.
What are your thoughts on how these developments will impact the war? Feel free to share in the comments.
