Ukrainian drone strikes target Ust-Luga port as cross-border attacks escalate

A massive overnight exchange of drone and missile strikes between Ukraine and Russia caused casualties and infrastructure damage across multiple regions. Russian regional authorities reported that air defenses intercepted approximately 150 drones over Leningrad Oblast, though a strike on the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga ignited a fire and injured three workers. In Smolensk Oblast, local officials confirmed two deaths following drone impacts.

Russian military channels indicated that several defense aircraft and aircrew were lost while responding to the Leningrad Oblast raid. Simultaneously, Russian forces targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, launching strikes that damaged energy facilities in Kryvyi Rih and hit an educational site in Yahotyn, Kyiv Oblast.

On the frontlines, Russian troops expanded control southeast of Kostiantynivka and advanced northwest of Pokrovsk, while Ukrainian units established new positions in western Mala Tokmachka.

Sources: Belsat, Mediazona, NEXTA, The Insider, Verstka.