Ukraine launched 791 drones toward targets across Russia and occupied Crimea overnight on August 18, according to Russia\u2019s Defense Ministry. Moscow authorities said the attack included 637 drones aimed at the Moscow region, while a Wildberries logistics center south of the capital caught fire and remained ablaze into the following day.<\/p>\n
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the operation as one of the largest Ukrainian long range attacks against the capital region since Russia launched its full scale invasion more than four years ago. Russian authorities said at least 180 drones were intercepted over the Moscow region, with more than 150 others shot down elsewhere.<\/p>\n
The attack adds to Kyiv\u2019s campaign of deep strikes against Russian territory. The campaign has increasingly targeted infrastructure and logistics facilities as Ukraine seeks to put pressure on Russia\u2019s economy and civilian population.<\/p>\n
The Wildberries distribution center, located about 45 kilometers south of Moscow, was engulfed in flames after the strike. Thick black smoke remained visible the following morning.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry said seven of Wildberries\u2019 10 largest logistics centers had been put out of service over the previous month. The attacks have focused on facilities that play a major role in the company\u2019s distribution network.<\/p>\n
The Associated Press witnessed a launch by Ukraine\u2019s 413th Raid Unmanned Systems Regiment from a sunflower field in southern Ukraine on Sunday. The operation offered a rare view of the forces involved in Ukraine\u2019s long range drone campaign.<\/p>\n
Regiment commander Yevhen Karas confirmed to the Associated Press that his unit took part in the strike against Wildberries. He said residents of Moscow should experience the threat of attacks in the same way that residents of Kyiv have spent years seeking shelter from Russian missile and drone strikes.<\/p>\n
As drones targeted Moscow, Russian forces launched missile strikes on Pechenihy village in Ukraine\u2019s Kharkiv region. The attack killed 10 civilians and wounded 18, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would respond.<\/p>\n
The strikes also triggered a new exchange between Russia and Britain. Moscow threatened the United Kingdom after reports that British supplied drones had been used in attacks on Russian territory.<\/p>\n
The Russian Embassy in London said Britain would face a greater price as its involvement in the conflict deepened. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham responded that the United Kingdom was continuing to support Ukraine against what he described as an illegal war.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s growing drone industry has helped Kyiv sustain long range attacks across a wide area. The source said about 60 percent of Ukrainian drones are produced by Fire Point, a domestic company led by 34 year old former architect Iryna Terekh.<\/p>\n
Terekh told CBS News that Fire Point is also developing ballistic missiles. She said the company expects those weapons to enter service against Russia by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
The scale of Ukrainian drone production has forced Russia to spread its air defenses across a large territory, according to the source. The attacks have also disrupted airports and contributed to fuel shortages.<\/p>\n
The latest strikes show how Ukraine is using an expanding domestic drone arsenal to extend attacks deep inside Russia while Russian forces continue to strike Ukrainian territory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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