Russia and Ukraine Trade Major Drone Attacks Amid NATO Summit in Ankara

Russia and Ukraine exchanged major drone attacks overnight, with Ukraine launching hundreds of drones toward Moscow and other targets, while Russia struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The attacks coincided with a NATO summit in Ankara, where Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated his call for NATO membership. Russia acknowledged only two tankers hit in the Azov Sea, not eight as reported by some sources, and admitted to a Ukrainian attack on a South Stream pipeline pumping station with no significant damage. The Kremlin also claimed strikes on military-industrial targets in Kyiv, including drone and missile industries and an oil depot. In Russia, authorities reported shooting down drones over the Leningrad and Novgorod regions, with mobile internet speeds reduced in Leningrad as a precaution. The conflict remains intense, with no signs of de-escalation despite diplomatic discussions.

Global Impact

The intensifying drone attacks highlight the expanding scope of the conflict, with strikes on Russian energy infrastructure potentially affecting global energy supplies and prices. The NATO summit's focus on Ukraine's membership could reshape European security architecture, deepening the divide between Russia and the West.