As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues with no immediate end in sight, both nations reported significant military activity Friday, including what Russian officials described as one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks since the conflict began more than four years ago.
According to the Associated Press, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across a dozen Russian regions, Russian-occupied Crimea, and surrounding waters. If confirmed, the attack would surpass Ukraine’s previous large-scale drone assault in May, when Russia reported intercepting 556 drones.
Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range drones to strike military and energy-related targets deep inside Russian territory. According to the Associated Press, Western officials and analysts say these operations have disrupted Russian fuel supplies and military logistics while placing additional pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian authorities released few official details about damage caused by the latest attacks. However, the independent Russian outlet Astra reported that a chemical plant and a hydroelectric facility in Novomoskovsk caught fire after being struck. The Associated Press noted that it could not independently verify those claims, and Russian officials had not confirmed them.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 47 drones heading toward the Russian capital were intercepted. He did not report casualties or significant damage.
Ukraine’s Security Service also announced that it targeted Russian naval vessels and air defense systems in the Crimean port city of Kerch. According to the agency, the strikes involved the reconnaissance and minelaying ships Volga and Vyatka, along with the cargo-passenger ferry Petropavlovsk, claiming the attacks sparked a large fire. The Associated Press said those claims also could not be independently verified.
The latest offensive came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on X that he had ordered “a 40-day influence operation,” which is widely understood to mean an intensified campaign intended to pressure Russia into ending the war. Zelenskyy said the operation is aimed at “compelling (Russia) to end the war” after U.S.-led peace efforts over the past year failed to produce a breakthrough, according to the Associated Press.
Despite the continued fighting, both countries carried out another prisoner exchange Friday. Officials said 160 prisoners of war from each side returned home.
Ukraine has continued to receive military assistance from Western allies. According to the Associated Press, Zelenskyy said recent commitments made during the G7 summit, including support from U.S. President Donald Trump, would help strengthen Ukraine’s efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table. He also pointed to next month’s NATO summit as another opportunity for increased military assistance.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported continued Russian attacks on civilian areas. According to regional authorities cited by the Associated Press, Russian strikes killed three civilians and wounded at least 29 others over the past 24 hours. Those injured included a 9-year-old child. Ukrainian officials said attacks struck the Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions, with some involving glide bombs and strikes on gas stations.
Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 174 of 189 Russian drones launched overnight but reported that four of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles penetrated air defenses and struck various locations.
Ukrainian officials also addressed concerns about Russian military activity in neighboring Belarus. According to State Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko, intelligence has not detected any buildup of Russian troops or equipment near Ukraine’s northern border, though Russia continues expanding military infrastructure deeper inside Belarus.
As the conflict enters another year, military operations continue to escalate while diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Christians around the world are encouraged to pray for peace, for the protection of innocent civilians, for those serving on all sides of the conflict, and for leaders to pursue a just and lasting resolution to the war.
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