Ukrainian drones strike multiple areas inside Russia overnight in one of the longest-range drone attacks since the war began. One drone reached Izhevsk, a city located more than 1,300 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border. Izhevsk is the capital of Russia’s Udmurt Republic and lies far from the main battle zones.
Drones Strike Deep Into Russia
Residents of the city woke up to loud explosions shortly after midnight on July 1. Local authorities confirmed that drones strike a facility in the city. The site of impact has not been publicly identified, but emergency teams arrived quickly. Fire services and other responders began working to assess the situation and secure the area.
Soon after the incident, the city’s airport suspended all incoming and outgoing flights. Officials said the move was taken as a precaution to ensure safety.
This is not the first time Izhevsk has been targeted during the war. A similar drones strike happened on November 17, 2024. That earlier attack damaged a major factory linked to Russian defense production. The factory is known to manufacture radar parts and components used in Tor missile systems. These systems are key parts of Russia’s military air defense.
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The distance between Ukraine and Izhevsk makes this strike significant. It shows that drones can now reach targets far from the frontlines. This raises concerns about the increasing range and accuracy of these drone operations.
Widespread Drones Strike Overnight
Ukraine launched a total of 60 drones overnight, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. The ministry said its forces intercepted most of the drones before they could reach their targets. However, explosions and fires broke out in several areas, showing that some drones did manage to get through.
Ukrainian drones hit occupied Crimea the hardest, according to reports. Officials there said their forces shot down 17 drones over the region. In Rostov Oblast, air defenses intercepted 16 drones. Forces also brought down 11 drones over the Sea of Azov. Additionally, people spotted or intercepted drones over Kursk, Saratov, Belgorod, Voronezh, and Oryol oblasts. Russian air defense systems also reacted to drone movement over the Black Sea.
Even with interception claims, eyewitnesses and local Telegram channels reported actual impacts. In many regions, residents posted videos showing bright lights, sounds of explosions, and fires in the distance. This suggests that drones strike their targets in some zones despite air defense efforts.
Crimea saw heavy activity, especially near the Kerch Peninsula. Between 12:20 a.m. and 12:50 a.m., residents of Kerch and Feodosia heard loud blasts. These areas are known to house S-300 and S-400 missile systems as well as radar stations. These air defense units protect Russian military assets and cities from aerial attacks.
Telegram channels and monitoring groups reported possible damage to some of these systems. One group used NASA satellite data to track a large fire near Kurortne, close to where Russian missile systems reportedly sit. However, Russian officials have not confirmed whether the attacks damaged any military systems.
Kyiv Remains Silent on Responsibility
Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. The country’s military intelligence agency has not commented either. This silence follows Ukraine’s usual strategy. In many past cases, when drones strike deep into Russian territory, Ukrainian authorities do not issue statements.
The Kyiv Independent, a Ukrainian news outlet, reported on the incident using Russian government statements and local social media updates. However, the outlet also said it could not independently verify the exact locations of the strikes or the extent of the damage.
Military analysts believe that attacks like these are aimed at damaging military production, defense infrastructure, and command systems. Many of the targeted regions house weapon factories, air defense systems, and other high-value military assets.
Ukrainian drones break through Russian defenses, cause heavy losses to helicopters in Crimea airbase
Reports continue to emerge from affected areas. In many cities, people shared videos of explosions lighting up the night sky. Airports in some regions briefly halted flights due to safety risks from flying drones. Emergency response teams are working on the ground to inspect damage, extinguish fires, and clean up debris.
So far, there are no confirmed reports of civilian injuries or deaths. However, authorities have restricted access to certain zones, especially around military sites. In some cities, roads leading to the attack sites remain blocked as investigations continue.
This latest round of drone activity shows the extended reach of Ukraine’s drone program. The drones strike targets far inside Russian territory, pushing the boundaries of how modern warfare is carried out with unmanned aerial vehicles.