Three Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Russia This Week

• A series of unprecedented Ukrainian drone strikes hit three targets deep inside Russian territory this week, nine months into the war that has upended regional and global geopolitics.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes

• The latest drone strike hit an oil facility near an airfield 80 miles from the Ukrainian border, in the Kursk region of Russia. There were no fatalities.
• The two attacks on Monday, however, left three dead and four wounded at the Dyagilevo base, 300 miles from the border. Dyagilevo lies only 100 miles from the Russian capital, Moscow, creating what some commentators have called a “psychological blow”.  
• Engels base, 370 miles from the border, was also attacked on Monday. The base is used to store the nuclear-capable strategic bombers that have been responsible for many of the air strikes on Ukraine.
• The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, but an anonymous source has also claimed that special forces close to the base helped guide the drones to their final target.
• Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the strikes, nor have they denied involvement. 

Russia’s Reaction

• According to Russian security forces, the drones were intercepted and were found to be Soviet-era jet drones.
• The attack was followed by a barrage of cruise missile attacks by Russian forces on Ukrainian targets, which included civilians, and led to multiple fatalities. The Russian attacks have left half of Kyiv without electricity.   
• Vladimir Putin made a cryptic comment following the attack, threatening to take drastic measures to protect Russian territory, prompting fears of a nuclear retaliation. 
• Statements aside, the attack has led analysts to speculate about the vulnerability and geographical insecurity of Russia’s strategic military bases. 

Global Reaction

• Ukraine’s supporters have avoided supplying the besieged country with weapons so as to avoid escalating the war, but these attacks demonstrate Ukraine’s willingness to take bold offensive measures. 
• The global communities resistance to supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons has not deterred them. Ukroboronprom, the state-owned weapons manufacturer is completing the development of a new drone equipped with a 165-pound warhead and a range of 600 miles.

—Emma Kansiz

(Photo Credit: Twitter)