Ukraine carried out a significant overnight drone assault on Russian territory, causing widespread disruptions across the southern regions of the country early Wednesday.
The large-scale attack reportedly led to airport closures and the emergency evacuation of dozens of residents in the Rostov region, according to Russian officials.
The Russian Defense Ministry revealed via its Telegram channel that 158 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed overnight. Among these, 29 were downed specifically over the southern Rostov region, which was heavily impacted during the onslaught.
Authorities stated that 69 of the drones were shot down over the Krasnodar region in Russia’s North Caucasus, while another 15 were intercepted in North Ossetia–Alania. These regions have become key targets in recent months due to their strategic military infrastructure and transport links.
Although no immediate casualties were reported, the strike sparked panic in certain residential areas. In the Rostov town of Aksay, 48 apartments were evacuated as a safety precaution due to the risk posed by a downed drone that could potentially detonate, the region’s acting governor confirmed via Telegram.
The scale of the drone offensive underscores Kyiv’s growing reliance on unmanned aerial technology to strike deep within Russian territory, disrupting logistical and military operations.
Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, temporarily shut down several airports in the southern region on Wednesday morning to prevent potential aerial incidents. These closures are part of ongoing measures to enhance air safety amid persistent threats from Ukraine’s drone campaigns.
The Ukrainian government has not released an official statement in response to the overnight operation. However, Kyiv has consistently defended its strikes, describing them as retaliatory actions against Moscow’s continuous bombardments of Ukrainian cities and energy networks.
Amid escalating tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump, who assumed office in January with a promise to end the war within 24 hours, has intensified efforts to negotiate peace. In late March, Washington announced that two ceasefire agreements had been reached between Russia and Ukraine, including a crucial accord to halt attacks on each other’s energy facilities.
Despite these diplomatic steps, both nations continue to trade blows, targeting infrastructure vital to sustaining their respective war efforts. Analysts say this latest drone barrage is a stark reminder of how volatile the conflict remains, even in the face of international mediation attempts.
More: U.S. Reverses Humanitarian Aid Cuts, Restores Life-Saving Programs in Crisis Zones
