Ukraine has intensified its nighttime campaign against Russia, reporting one of the war’s largest drone assaults that targeted critical infrastructure in occupied Crimea and a major explosives plant deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv’s claim of staging the “biggest drone attack” of the war follows a series of strikes that Ukrainian officials say aim to disrupt Russia’s war economy and supply chains while Russia continues to counter with retaliatory air defenses.
Targets and scale of the attack
The operation involved more than 250 drones and hit several high-value targets, according to Ukrainian and local Russian sources. Two of the most significant strikes were on: the Sverdlov plant in Dzerzhinsk, a major producer of explosives, detonators, munitions components, and other war materiel, located about 230 miles east of Moscow in the Nizhny Novgorod region; and the main oil loading terminal at Feodosia in Putin-occupied Crimea. Fire and explosions at these sites were visible for miles, with local reports describing flames reaching hundreds of feet into the sky.
The Sverdlov plant is described as a critical supplier for Russia’s war machine, producing components used in aviation bombs, artillery shells, and other warheads. The Feodosia terminal provides crucial fuel supplies to Russian forces operating in southern regions, making it a strategic target for Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt energy logistics in occupied territories as well as mainland Russia.
Impact on Crimea and regional energy delivery
Ukraine’s actions come at a sensitive time as fuel prices rise and supply restrictions tighten across several regions. Officials say 85 oil-linked targets have been hit by Ukrainian strikes over roughly the last two months, contributing to energy shortages and rationing in some areas. In Crimea, the attack raised concerns about fuel availability for local populations and Russian military operations alike, prompting reports of disrupted shipments and heightened security measures. Nighttime fire and smoke were visible from distant locations, underscoring the scale of the damage reported by local observers.
Additional strikes and defense claims
Beyond the Feodosia depot and Sverdlov plant, reports from local media allege Ukrainian drones struck a military unit near Yevpatoria and the Saky military airfield in Crimea. Russia claimed to have shot down a large number of drones supported by air defenses, noting that it repelled hundreds of aircraft-borne threats with regional defenses active over Crimea and the Black Sea. Russia also reported counterattacks around Moscow and the Ryazan region as part of ongoing air-defense activity, while insisting civilian casualties were caused by Russian operations conducted in response to Ukrainian pressure.
The human cost and continued risk
While no comprehensive casualty figures have been verified independently, reports from both sides acknowledge civilian tolls in the conflict. In the wake of this wave of attacks, civilians in several Ukrainian towns and Russian border regions endured strikes and power outages. Notably, Ukrainian strikes on Lviv and Kherson have previously been tied to tragic civilian losses, underscoring the grinding and tragic nature of this conflict for ordinary residents across front lines.
Strategic context for both sides
Utterly demanding for Kyiv, the latest drone operation demonstrates Ukraine’s willingness to escalate in the face of a durable Russian defense and continues to stress Russia’s war-transport and energy networks. For Moscow, maintaining momentum against Ukrainian targets while protecting key infrastructure remains a challenging balance, particularly in areas like Crimea where security is a recurring concern for residents and authorities alike.
What comes next
Analysts say the exchange of strikes signals a renewed phase in the conflict, with both sides aiming to degrade the other’s strategic capabilities. The international community will continue to monitor developments, assess the humanitarian consequences, and consider how such assaults might influence negotiations, diplomacy, and the ongoing security calculus in the region.
As the conflict endures, residents on both sides face ongoing disruption and danger. The waves of strikes, including major drone operations and targeted infrastructure damage, highlight the resilience and volatility that characterize this protracted war.
