Zelensky: Ukrainian drones struck 8 targets inside Russia in 24 hours

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported in his nightly address that Ukrainian long-range drones had struck eight separate targets on Russian territory over the previous 24 hours. The strikes targeted military storage facilities, fuel depots, and logistics infrastructure used to support Russian operations in Ukraine.

Targets and strategic goals

Zelensky did not specify the exact locations of all strikes but confirmed that the targets included facilities directly involved in Russia's war effort. Ukraine has been systematically expanding its drone campaign deep into Russian territory, aiming to disrupt supply lines, force Russia to redirect air defense assets, and demonstrate that Russian territory is not immune from the consequences of the war it started.

Ukrainian officials have consistently framed such strikes as legitimate acts of self-defense, targeting military infrastructure rather than civilian areas. Several of the strikes reportedly caused fires at fuel storage facilities, interrupting supplies to Russian front-line units.

Russian response

Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged some of the drone interceptions but did not confirm all eight strikes. Russian officials condemned the attacks as acts of terrorism, a characterization Ukraine and its Western allies reject. The strikes add pressure on Russian authorities to defend a vast territory against drone threats that have grown significantly more sophisticated over the course of the war.