Ukraine launched a record high number of drones at military strategic targets and airports across Western Russian regions in the past 72 hours, in what became the largest air raid against Russia during the three-year-war.
More than 750 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, known as UAVs, were launched from Ukraine to Russia at a distance of more than 800 kilometers during this period. A total of 756 Ukrainian drones penetrated Russian air space between May 20-23 May, causing temporary suspensions of civilian airline operations across Russian regions, including at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports. According to local Telegram channels, mobile internet connection was also switched off following the attacks.
Over 200 drones were launched overnight Wednesday-Thursday, targeting mainly two facilities: The NPO Basalt weapons manufacturer in Tula city, known for production of rocket and missile components, flame thrower technologies, and munitions; as well as oil refinery in Ryzan, one of Russia’s largest operated by Rosneft state oil company. The attacks were followed by fires and strong blasts in both facilities.
Over 150 and possibly more than 200 drones were launched into Russia on the night leading to Friday, with internationally sanctioned Energiya company that produces military batteries in the city of Yelets, in the Lipetsk region being struck multiple times.
There were also reports of attacks on ammunition storage sites in Russia’s eastern Krasnodar region. Some 60,000 tons of missiles and rockets from three major arsenals were destroyed by strikes, fires and subsequent detonations for which there is currently no independent confirmation, according to Ukrainian Telegram channels.
