In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russian military and government targets in multiple regions, including Russia's Kursk and Lipetsk regions. According to reports, Ukrainian drones targeted an ammunition depot and warehouse in Lipetsk, destroying around 700 Russian guided bombs. The attack also disrupted power supplies in the region after an energy facility was hit.

Reports from Russian state media confirmed that a military airfield in Lipetsk was on fire, with around 19 drones allegedly intercepted. The Belogrod region, north of Ukraine's Kharkiv region and east of Kursk, also witnessed drone strikes, resulting in the downing of 26 drones.

Russia's defense ministry claimed that overnight, a total of 75 drones were shot down in several regions along Ukraine's shared border, while another five were allegedly shot down over Russian-occupied Crimea in southern Ukraine.

As a response to Ukrainian forces approaching the strategic town of Sudzha, Russia has declared a "federal-level" state of emergency in Kursk. Open-source reporting revealed that Ukrainian forces had already captured a key military checkpoint and the Sudzha gas-distribution station, prompting concerns over the region's stability.

Furthermore, a video released by pro-Russia military bloggers circulated on Friday, showing the aftermath of an ambush carried out by Ukrainian forces on a Russian convoy. The graphic footage displayed burned-out vehicles, some of which contained the bodies of deceased Russian soldiers.

The motive behind Ukraine's widespread targeting of Russian territories across five regions remains unclear. However, sources have suggested that it may be an attempt to divert Russian resources from the eastern frontlines and bring the conflict closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin's homeland.

The Biden administration, earlier this year, changed its stance and allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian targets outside of Ukraine. While the administration had initially approved hitting military targets near the border with Kharkiv, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh indicated that approval was granted for strategic targets beyond Russia's immediate borders, provided they were not deep within Russian territory.

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has refrained from commenting on the assault in Russia, following the country's policy of silence during ongoing operations. However, in a recent address, he stated, "Russia brought war to our land, and it should feel what it has done."

The situation has raised questions about the limits on Ukraine's cross-border attacks. While no specific range or boundaries were revealed, the Biden administration has conveyed to Ukraine its stance against long-range attacks into Russia.

As the conflict intensifies, the impact on civilians and the potential for further escalation remain concerns for the international community. Efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis continue amidst the growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.