In a wave of escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Russian officials have reported shooting down 144 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight. These attacks have resulted in casualties, property damage, and disrupted air travel in Moscow. Moscow's governor, Andrei Vorobyov, confirmed that residential buildings in Ramenskoye were set ablaze, causing the death of a 46-year-old woman and injuring three others. Furthermore, 43 individuals were evacuated to temporary accommodation centers.

The Ukrainian government has yet to respond to the attacks. However, the Kremlin has declared that the strikes signify Ukraine as Russia's enemy. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, emphasized the necessity of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, stating that it is crucial to protect themselves from such aggression.

According to Russia's defense ministry, half of the intercepted drones were in the western border region of Bryansk, while 20 were in Moscow and 14 were over the Kursk region. As a result of these attacks, four airports in Moscow were shut down, leading to the suspension of more than 30 domestic and international flights. However, later reports confirmed that three of the airports - Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Vnukovo - had resumed operations.

In another development, Russia announced the capture of at least three villages in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The defense ministry also claimed the liberation of the town of Krasnohorivka, also in Donetsk. Ukrainian sources reported that their air defenses successfully downed 38 out of 46 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia, with additional missile launches.

This latest wave of drone strikes coincides with Moscow's claims of gaining ground in eastern Ukraine. Recent reports indicate that Russian forces have captured Memryk and Novohrodivka, villages located 24km and 10km respectively from the key town of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, Ukraine has remained silent on the matter, but insiders claim that Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Novohrodivka.

Throughout this month, Russia has launched a series of deadly strikes in Lviv, Poltava, and Kharkiv. The intensity of Russia's response to Ukraine escalated after Kyiv initiated an offensive in Russia's Kursk region last month.

These events have raised concerns among European countries regarding suspected Russian interference since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Germany, in particular, has issued a warning, highlighting the potential consequences if invading Russian forces seize vital transport hubs. The loss of the Donetsk region would have severe repercussions for Ukraine.

As tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation of the conflict and a peaceful resolution to the long-standing dispute.