Russia and Ukraine Exchange Large-Scale Drone and Missile Attacks

Russia and Ukraine carried out large-scale overnight attacks, killing civilians and disrupting infrastructure on both sides as long-range strikes intensified.

Russian authorities said Ukraine launched nearly 900 drones across Russia, occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 650 were directed toward the Moscow region and that most were destroyed at long range. Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov said two men, ages 71 and 20, were killed and nine people injured. He reported damage to 47 houses and four apartments, while restrictions disrupted operations at Moscow’s four airports.

Ukraine, meanwhile, reported that Russia attacked cities across the country with missiles and drones on Oct. 7. The Kyiv Independent said at least 28 people were killed and 118 injured. A cruise missile struck an apartment building in Pryluky, killing at least 20 people, including five children, while strikes also caused deaths and injuries in Kremenchuk, Kyiv and Oleksandriya. Al Jazeera reported that the Russian barrage included 130 drones and 48 cruise and ballistic missiles.

Separately, a Turkish-owned commercial vessel caught fire and sank in Romanian waters in the Black Sea, killing two people and injuring another. Romanian authorities did not identify the cause, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said two Russian drones hit the civilian ship. Eleven crew members were rescued.