Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that 6 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the Bryansk and Kursk regions between 7 am and 8 am. Previously, it announced that 77 drones had been shot down across various regions during the previous night.
As reported by Reuters, Russia’s defence ministry announced on Sunday that its air defences shot down 77 Ukrainian drones launched overnight.
The ministry reported that drones were intercepted in seven regions across southern and central Russia, as well as over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia, according to a statement on Telegram.
Did the strikes significantly damage Russian energy infrastructure?
A power transmission tower in the Rostov region near Ukraine was damaged, approximately 1,000 km south of Moscow. This incident left around 250 residents without electricity, according to Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar on Telegram, who also stated that no injuries occurred.
The defence ministry reported that 42 drones were destroyed in the Saratov region in southwestern Russia, and 12 in the Rostov region.
The conflict has grown to include long-range drone and missile attacks far behind front lines, with each side aiming to strike military, logistics, and energy targets deep within the opposing territory.
Moscow has also conducted missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure and cities during previous winters, and ahead of this winter, these attacks have caused blackouts and strained repair crews as cold weather approaches.
How is Ukraine targeting key Russian logistics and energy nodes?
Additionally, Ukraine’s drone strike on a major heat and power plant in the Moscow region in late November resulted in a fire, leading to the activation of backup power sources and the deployment of mobile heating units.
Unverified video clips circulating on Telegram depicted a series of explosions, followed by multiple fireballs illuminating the night.
According to the emergencies ministry as reported by Kommersant, three transformers—each approximately 65 square meters—caught fire at the power station. Vorobyov stated that backup power had been turned on and mobile heating units are on their way to the area, where temperatures are close to freezing.
A local resident noted the lack of heating. Russia, which has recently concentrated on Ukrainian energy and heating infrastructure, relies on large Soviet-era heating plants to supply warmth to its population.
The mutual attacks by Ukraine and Russia on each other’s power plants have considerable ripple effects across Europe, especially concerning energy security and regional stability.
