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A fierce drone war has erupted between Russia and Ukraine, with both nations launching heavy drone attacks. On Saturday night, both countries carried out massive drone strikes, reporting more than 100 enemy drones in their airspace. The escalation comes less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US Ambassador Steve Witkoff to discuss a 30-day ceasefire proposal in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Volgograd Oil Refinery Attacked in Drone Strike
Volgograd regional governor, Andrei Bocharov, confirmed that drone debris caused a fire near a Lukoil oil refinery in the Krasnoarmeysky district of Volgograd, Russia. The attack led to temporary suspension of flights at nearby airports, but no casualties have been reported.
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Volgograd oil refinery has been a frequent target of Ukrainian drone strikes. The most recent attack before this took place on February 15, indicating the refinery's strategic importance in the war.
Russia Claims to Have Destroyed 126 Ukrainian Drones
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian air defense systems successfully shot down 126 Ukrainian drones, including 64 drones intercepted in the Volgograd region. Additional Ukrainian drones were neutralized in Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, Rostov, and Kursk regions.
Ukraine Reports 178 Russian Drone Strikes
In response, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia carried out 178 drone attacks on Friday night and Saturday morning. The strikes involved Shahed drones and decoy drones aimed at overloading Ukraine’s air defense systems. According to Ukrainian military officials, 130 drones were successfully shot down, while 38 reached their targets.
Ceasefire Talks Continue Despite Drone Warfare
The latest Russia-Ukraine military escalation underscores the ongoing tensions between the two countries, even as diplomatic efforts continue. The United States' involvement in ceasefire negotiations signals a push for de-escalation, but the continuing drone warfare raises concerns over the future of peace talks.
