Massive Drone Assault: Ukraine Launches 221 Drones Against Russia

Mon Sep 15 2025 13:10:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant escalation of conflict, Ukraine reportedly launched over 200 drones at Russia, marking one of the largest aerial assaults since May. Russia claims to have intercepted the majority, but incidents of civilian casualties are reported.

Ukraine has significantly ramped up its aerial operations, launching 221 drones into Russian territory, according to Moscow's defense ministry. Russia claims to have downed more than half of the drones over its southwestern regions, while incidents of casualties have emerged on both sides. The attacks coincide with a major military exercise involving Russia and Belarus and continue escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict.

In a dramatic increase in hostilities, Ukraine has launched a total of 221 drones into Russia overnight, according to the Russian defense ministry. This aerial assault, described as one of the largest since May, saw over half of the drones reportedly intercepted before they could carry out their missions.

The defense ministry stated that the majority of drone interceptions occurred over the Bryansk and Smolensk regions, which lie southwest of Moscow, where facilities belonging to the Russian oil company Lukoil were said to be targeted. In addition, 28 drones were claimed to have been brought down in the Leningrad region, resulting in a fire at the Nigerian port of Primorsk, which serves as Russia's largest oil terminal. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished without any reported casualties or environmental leaks.

Simultaneously, reports have surfaced of civilian casualties in Ukraine, particularly in the Sumy region, where two civilians were killed when a Russian glide bomb struck a village near the border. On the Russian side, the drone assaults led to injuries among several civilians when a drone reportedly struck a bus in the Bryansk region, injuring seven individuals, including both civilians and military personnel.

While the attack marks a peak in aerial bombardment from Ukraine, the Russian government noted that drone interceptions were reported in nine other regions, including Kaluga, Novgorod, and further areas surrounding Moscow, where a total of nine drones were also said to have been destroyed. Debris from the intercepts scattered across multiple regions, but Russian officials have maintained that no casualties occurred as a result of these events.

This attack signifies a notable intensification in Ukraine's aerial capabilities, achieving strikes deep into Russian territory which have become more prevalent in recent months. It also raises concerns of escalating engagement as Moscow continues its missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure during stalled peace talks.

As the region braces for heightened military activity, it is essential to note that this assault coincides with the beginning of a large-scale joint military exercise between Russia and Belarus, drawing attention to the ongoing volatility in the area. Recent incursions into Polish airspace by Russian drones have added to the tension, marking a concerning shift in operational dynamics in the conflict.