Drone Warfare Intensifies Between Russia and Ukraine: Bus Hit, Airports Closed

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced Monday morning the interception of 193 Ukrainian drones overnight. Meanwhile, local Russian authorities reported one fatality in the attack.

Escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian Drone War

• Drone Attack: 47 drones were shot down over the Bryansk region, and 40 over the Moscow region, with most headed towards the capital.

• Russian Casualties/Impact:

  • Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz stated that a Ukrainian drone hit a minibus in the region, resulting in one driver killed and five people injured.

  • Attacks targeting Moscow led to the temporary closure of Domodedovo and Zhukovsky international airports to ensure flight safety, according to Russia's aviation body (Rosaviatsia).

  • Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defense units downed 28 drones over five hours.

• Aim of Ukrainian Strikes: Kyiv states that its strikes target essential infrastructure used by Russia to manage the war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy on the 'Difficult' Situation in Pokrovsk

On the Ukrainian front, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that heavy fighting is ongoing in Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, describing the battle there as "one of the most difficult battles underway" along the long front line.

• Force Concentration: Zelenskyy said Russian forces had deployed "a large number of main offensive forces" near Pokrovsk and the nearby town of Myrnohrad.

• Ground Situation: The General Staff in Kyiv confirmed that several small Russian infantry groups had infiltrated parts of the city. Around 200 Russian soldiers established positions and engaged Ukrainian units in fierce fighting using drones.

• Zelenskyy’s Directive: The Ukrainian President added that the supply situation is unstable, yet "we must continue to inflict the maximum possible losses on the Russians."