Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Russia, Moscow Says

Ukraine carried out a large nighttime drone operation across multiple Russian regions, the annexed Crimean peninsula and nearby waters, officials in Moscow said Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defenses shot down 660 Ukrainian drones during the assault. The previous record attack in the past year involved 556 drones on May 17.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim. Ukraine’s Security Service said drones hit two reconnaissance and minelaying ships and a cargo-passenger ferry in the Crimean port of Kerch, starting a large fire. The agency’s statement could not be independently confirmed.

Hours before the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that he had ordered a 40-day influence operation intended to pressure Russia into ending the war.

“I ordered a 40-day influence operation aimed at compelling (Russia) to end the war.”

The two sides also completed a prisoner exchange, with 160 captives returned from each side, officials said.

Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours killed three civilians and wounded 29 others across several Ukrainian regions, local authorities reported. Ukraine’s air force said its defenses intercepted 174 of 189 Russian drones and stopped three of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service said it had detected no Russian troop buildup near the border with Belarus, though it noted expanded Russian military infrastructure deeper inside that country.