Ukraine announced overnight strikes deep inside Russian territory, hitting critical infrastructure including a major oil refinery and the Engels airfield in the Saratov region, approximately 600km from the Ukrainian border.
President Volodymyr Zelensky identified the Engels airfield, a key base for Russia's strategic aviation, and the Saratov oil refinery as primary targets. Additional strikes reportedly hit an oil depot in the Kaluga region and a drone launch site in Bryansk.
The Ukrainian military confirmed the Engels airfield attack caused a significant blaze. This airfield is known for hosting Tu-95MC and Tu-160 bombers used in missile strikes against Ukraine.
Russian authorities reported that eight people died in the Ukrainian strikes and claimed to have shot down or intercepted 635 drones during these operations. They also reported damage to a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in the Samara region, describing the attack as a "terrorist act" but without casualties.
In response, Moscow said its forces targeted two Ukrainian ports and two vessels in the Black Sea overnight. Meanwhile, a Russian strike near Kharkiv killed one person at a postal terminal.
These attacks come amid a period of intensified assaults on major urban centers, energy facilities, and logistics hubs on both sides, despite a largely static frontline and ongoing, yet stalled, US-led peace mediation efforts.
Governor Roman Busargin of Saratov confirmed damage to civilian infrastructure from drone attacks in Saratov and Engels, with two fatalities reported. Additional drone strikes on civilian vehicles in Russia's Udmurtia and Belgorod regions resulted in three deaths each.
Ukraine has targeted multiple Wildberries logistics centers recently, viewing them as legitimate military targets due to their support role in supplying drone parts and navigation equipment to Russian forces. Wildberries employs around 48,000 people and its disruption has impacted numerous small and mid-sized Russian businesses.
Conversely, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian logistics, including warehouses of the postal company Nova Poshta and major e-commerce platform Rozetka, which reported damage to its largest warehouse but no casualties.
