Russia says it shot down 660 drones as Belarus war fears grow
Moscow reported one of Ukraine’s largest overnight drone barrages, while Russia and Belarus denied claims Minsk could be drawn further into the war.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Russia said it intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight, a barrage Moscow described as among Kyiv’s largest long-range attacks of the war. The strikes matter because Ukraine’s drone campaign has put pressure on Russian air defences and energy sites while feeding concern over whether Belarus could become more directly involved.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Friday that air defences downed drones across 13 regions, including the Moscow area, Crimea, and over the Black and Azov seas. Al Jazeera, Reuters and The Associated Press reported that the attacks came as Ukraine has expanded strikes inside Russia and on the Crimean peninsula.
Regional governor Dmitry Milyaev said the Tula region, about 180km south of Moscow, was hit in what he called a “massive” attack. He said a house was damaged and a woman was injured.
Milyaev also said an industrial site in Novomoskovsk, about 200km south of Moscow, was damaged. Russian outlet Astra identified the site as the Azot plant, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described as important to Russia’s explosives production.
Drone strikes target pressure points
Ukraine has used long-range drones to strike Russian energy infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera. The campaign has included recent hits on facilities deep inside Russia, including an oil refinery near Moscow.
Al Jazeera reported that the attacks have contributed to fuel shortages and disrupted Russian military supply lines. The strikes are aimed at weakening a revenue stream used by the Kremlin for the war, according to the report.
The war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. More than four years later, Al Jazeera reported that Russian forces have struggled to make advances on the eastern front while also defending against Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia.
Belarus denies plans to enter the war
Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukrainian intelligence indicated Belarus was building infrastructure and storage bases near Ukraine’s border for military purposes. He said the work was happening under Russian influence and could prepare for a broader attack on Ukraine.
“Belarus knows what steps are needed on its part for peace,” Zelenskyy wrote, according to Al Jazeera. He said border infrastructure that could be used for aggression from Belarus must be stopped.
His comments followed US media reports alleging that Russia had pressured Belarus, including through financial leverage, to allow its territory to be used for expanded attacks on Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the report, saying it “does not correspond to reality.”
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also rejected the idea that Belarus intends to fight Ukraine. In televised remarks Thursday, he said he told visiting Ukrainian officials that Kyiv should not try to pull Belarus into the war and said he wanted an agreement.
Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory before crossing into Ukraine at the start of the invasion, according to Al Jazeera. Lukashenko has not sent Belarusian troops to fight with Russia, but he has allowed Russian tactical nuclear missiles to be stationed in Belarus and permits Russian forces to use Belarusian bases and training grounds.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.