Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Strike on Russian Targets to Date

The Ukrainian military executed a significant series of drone and missile strikes on Russian territory overnight, marking what officials in Kyiv have described as their largest aerial attack thus far. Utilizing over 200 long-range drones, this operation targeted at least seven Russian provinces, resulting in substantial damage to key industrial facilities.

Among the array of drones deployed was a new model named Peklo, which translates to "Hell" in Ukrainian. Military analysts suggest that the use of Peklo drones, introduced just last month, contributed to the mission's effectiveness by overwhelming Russian air defenses.

The attack also involved American-made Atacms missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which were used to strike deep within Russia. These long-range weapons, capable of reaching targets 300 kilometers away, became available to Ukraine last November following a change in U.S. policy.

Significant industry sites, including factories producing chemical and metal supplies for the Russian military, were included in the strikes. Notably, an oil refinery in Saratov was reported to be on fire, alongside a gas storage facility in Tatarstan, which suffered serious damage.

Despite the scale and impact of these attacks, experts caution that their immediate effects on the frontlines of the ongoing conflict may be limited, as Russian military advances have continued largely unabated. However, the persistent drone strikes are creating logistical challenges for Russia, particularly in the energy sector, with significant portions of oil refinery capacity disrupted.

These developments indicate a growing capability for Ukraine to conduct substantial attacks on Russian territory, which poses a strategic dilemma for Moscow as it seeks to maintain its military operations without suffering significant domestic economic repercussions.