Russian Forces Down 235 Ukrainian Drones in Dramatic Aerial Confrontation

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russian territory, with Moscow claiming its air defenses shot down 235 drones in a single night. The massive strike caused fires at oil facilities and forced flight restrictions at major airports, including those in Moscow and St. Petersburg, highlighting how the conflict continues to expand beyond Ukraine's borders.

Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack happened two nights ago, with drones targeting multiple regions across the country. In Volgograd, debris from destroyed drones sparked a fire at an oil storage facility in Oriopinsk, according to local officials.

The drone strike had immediate effects on civilian infrastructure. Russia's aviation authority imposed temporary flight restrictions at least 10 airports, including major hubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. These restrictions show how Ukraine's long-range attacks are now regularly disrupting normal life in Russia's biggest cities.

The attack comes as both sides target each other's infrastructure. Ukraine's Navy accused Russia of hitting a Turkish civilian ship carrying sunflower oil with a drone strike just days earlier. This happened one day after Moscow bombed two Ukrainian ports, showing how the conflict increasingly affects international shipping in the Black Sea.

For global markets, these escalating attacks matter because they target energy infrastructure and disrupt shipping routes. Oil storage facilities and ports are key links in supply chains that feed international markets. When these facilities get hit, it can affect energy prices and food exports, especially grain and cooking oil that come from this region.

The scale of this drone attack - 235 aircraft according to Russian claims - represents a significant escalation in Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russian territory. It shows how drone warfare has become central to both countries' military strategies, with each side trying to hit the other's economic and military infrastructure far from the front lines.