The Russian president ordered tightened border controls with Ukraine on Tuesday after a series of drone attacks blamed on Kyiv. As a result of these attacks, Russia has been at war with Ukraine for more than a year. In a speech in Moscow, Putin did not mention any specific attacks, but his comments came after drone strikes hit several areas in the south and west of Russia, and the airspace over St. Petersburg was closed due to what was believed to be another drone. The drone attacks caused no casualties but sparked a security concern. In response to the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials have previously emphasized their right to target any location in Russia.
According to local Russian authorities, drone attacks targeted regions along the border with Ukraine and further into Russia on Monday night and Tuesday morning. One drone crashed near the village of Gubastovo, 100 km from Moscow. The drone was reportedly Ukrainian-made and had a range of up to 800 km, but it could not carry many explosives. Russian forces shot down another Ukrainian drone over the Bryansk region. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that Ukraine used drones to attack facilities in the Krasnodar and Adygea regions and that electronic warfare assets brought down the drones.
Russian media reported that an air raid alarm was triggered in several regions of Russia, which was later found to be a hoax resulting from a hacking attack. Meanwhile, the government of St. Petersburg temporarily suspended flight departures and arrivals at its main airport, Pulkovo, without explanation. Drills were coordinated with civilian air traffic services to detect, intercept, and identify enemy targets in Russian airspace in an emergency.
Inside Ukraine, two civilians were killed, and 17 more were wounded in fighting in the southern city of Kherson and surrounding villages. Ukrainian officials reported increased deployment of Russian troops and equipment, including T-90 tanks, in the eastern areas of Ukraine where Russia is seeking control.
In related news, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed a Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft parked at a Belarus airbase before a claimed attack by partisans. The Associated Press has not been able to independently confirm the attack, which both Belarus and Russia have yet to acknowledge.
The international community closely monitors the situation as tensions continue escalating between Russia and Ukraine. The drone attacks and increased military activity have raised concerns about the potential for further conflict escalation. The United Nations has called for ending the violence and for both sides to respect the ceasefire agreements.
Due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, many countries, including the United States and the European Union, have imposed economic sanctions. These sanctions put pressure on Russia to withdraw its troops and end its support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine continues to be a major concern for the international community and a significant challenge for the region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant human suffering and displacement, and all parties must work toward a peaceful resolution. Those in need will continue to receive support from the international community.
