In a bold move, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on military and energy facilities in Russia and the occupied Crimea peninsula overnight. Russian authorities revealed that more than 100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were involved in the operation, in which 102 drones were intercepted and destroyed across four regions. Additionally, six drone boats were taken down in the Black Sea.

While the Russian Defense Ministry did not disclose the full extent of the damage caused by the attack, reports emerged of multiple explosions in the city of Novorossiysk. The governor of Sevastopol, backed by the Kremlin, confirmed that a substation was damaged, leading to a disruption in the power supply in the area.

According to sources from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's military intelligence, the assault was a joint operation. A spokesperson from the SBU stated, "Today's operation proved that the Russians are unable to protect their main naval bases in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk."

Residents in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, specifically in Novorossiysk, reported attacks on local oil infrastructure. Videos shared on social media showed explosions and the activation of air defense systems. Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed that ten drones were shot down, resulting in localized fires but no casualties.

Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev of Sevastopol stated that debris from the downed UAVs fell on the substation, causing a partial blackout. He estimated that power outages would last for approximately one day while workers restore the power grid. As a result, classes in all schools, secondary vocational education institutions, and kindergartens were canceled, and measures to conserve energy were implemented, including the discontinuation of trolleybus services and keeping lights off in the city and shopping centers.

This recent drone attack is not an isolated incident, as Ukraine has been targeting infrastructure and military installations on Russian soil for several months. Additionally, the country is currently grappling with a major offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine's northeastern territory, raising concerns about the potential capture of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to China, addressed the situation, explaining that the assaults on the Kharkiv region were in response to Ukrainian shelling on Russia's Belgorod region. He mentioned that the objective was to create a security and sanitary zone, but he assured reporters that there are currently no plans to capture the city of Kharkiv.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community closely watches the situation, with fears of further conflict and the impact it may have on regional stability.