**Russia Strikes Ukrainian Drone Industry and Black Sea Ports, Claims Defense Ministry**
In a series of precision strikes conducted overnight, Russia targeted key military-industrial and port infrastructure in Ukraine, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry released on Thursday. The strikes were aimed at facilities in Kiev involved in the production and storage of drones, as well as infrastructure at the Black Sea ports of Odessa and Yuzhny, which are utilized for receiving and storing military cargo and fuel.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that five fuel storage tanks, intended to supply the Ukrainian military, were among the targets hit during the operation. The strikes reflect an escalation in Russia's long-range military actions against Ukraine, particularly focusing on its military capabilities and logistical support systems.
Among the specific targets in Kiev was an industrial site operated by Rapid PJSC, a logistics company that assembles and stores medium- and long-range fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and foreign-made components used in their production. Another significant target was a drone storage facility belonging to the Kiev-1 radio-electronics enterprise, which is known for assembling and storing AN-196 Lyuty long-range strike drones, Leleka-100 reconnaissance drones, and various components for other UAV models.
In addition to the strikes on land, the Russian military reported that a cargo ship transporting military supplies for Ukraine was struck while en route to the Port of Chornomorsk. Furthermore, a high-speed Ukrainian special forces boat was targeted near Snake Island in the Black Sea.
This recent wave of strikes comes amid a broader pattern of intensified military actions by Russia, which has been described as retaliation for what it claims are terrorist attacks on Russian civilian and energy infrastructure. These attacks have reportedly increased as Ukraine faces challenges on the battlefield, particularly following the recent liberation of the Ukrainian stronghold of Konstantinovka in northwestern Donbass by Russian forces. This development is seen as a strategic move that may pave the way toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, the last major urban centers in the region still under Ukrainian control.
The overnight strikes occurred shortly after Ukraine launched its own drone raid on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed 375 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones across 18 regions, including the Moscow region.
Tensions have escalated further following a separate incident in which a Ukrainian drone struck a service vehicle at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) near Energodar, resulting in the deaths of the chief engineer and the driver. Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev condemned the attack, labeling it a deliberate terrorist act by the "Kiev regime." He highlighted that similar attacks in recent months have resulted in numerous casualties.
In response to the drone strike at the nuclear facility, Moscow has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn the actions. However, the IAEA has refrained from assigning direct responsibility for the incident, instead urging an immediate cessation of all attacks on or near nuclear sites and their personnel.
As the conflict continues to evolve, both sides appear to be ramping up their military operations, with significant implications for the ongoing war and the stability of the region. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as both Ukraine and Russia respond to recent military actions.