LONDON — Russia’s Protection Ministry claimed to have shot down 130 Ukrainian drones on Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, in what seems to be amongst Kyiv’s largest ever long-range strike into Russian territory.
Moscow stated that 85 Ukrainian drones have been shot down over the southern Russian area of Krasnodar Krai, with 30 extra over Crimea. One other eight drones have been downed over the Sea of Azov, 5 over the Black Sea and one every over Bryansk and Kursk areas, the ministry stated.
The drones over Krasnodar appeared to mass across the Black Sea port of Tuapse, which sits between the resort metropolis of Sochi and the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk.
Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev stated a number of homes within the Krasnodar Krai area have been broken by drone strikes or falling particles.
On this handout {photograph} taken on Feb. 24, 2025 and launched by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on Feb. 25, 2025, allied leaders go to an exhibition of the newest drones in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Handout/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER
Andriy Kovalenko, the pinnacle of the Counter-Disinformation Heart working as a part of Ukraine’s Nationwide Safety and Protection Council, stated on Telegram that Russian authorities “reported an assault on the seaport in Tuapse,” which he described as “one of many key cargo ports of the Russian Federation on the Black Sea.”
“There may be an oil terminal there — one of many largest in Russia,” Kovalenko added. “Oil and oil merchandise are transported by means of the port, which makes it vital for the Russian vitality trade.”
Kovalenko stated the port processes vital volumes of coal, mineral fertilizers, steel merchandise and grain, plus serves as a rail and logistics hub for Russia’s central and southern areas.
Firefighters work at a web site of a Russian drone strike within the Kyiv area of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2025.
State Emergency Service Of Ukrai/by way of Reuters
“The port performs an vital position in supporting army logistics,” Kovalenko wrote. “It’s used to move gear, ammunition and gas for army wants. It offers logistical assist to the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, particularly these concerned within the conflict towards Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s air drive, in the meantime, reported one other evening of Russian cross-border attacks on Tuesday evening. The air drive stated Russia fired 177 drones into Ukraine, of which 110 have been shot down and 66 have been misplaced in flight.
The air drive reported engagements in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad and Sumy areas.
