Four people died in Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil refineries in southwestern Russia, according to local authorities. The attacks occurred as Ukraine reported three fatalities from overnight Russian missile strikes on its territory. The Ukrainian military confirmed that it targeted facilities in the Saratov and Samara regions, well inside Russian borders.
In Samara, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev reported that four individuals were killed and one injured during the strikes. He indicated that the Ukrainian drones aimed at objects within the fuel and energy sector but did not elaborate on the extent of the damage. The General Staff of Ukraine stated that the attacks also included a facility located along the Volga River in Saratov, which has previously been a target of Ukrainian military operations.
In response, Russia launched significant missile and drone attacks on multiple Ukrainian regions, reportedly resulting in at least three deaths and numerous injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated that the strikes impacted nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv. He condemned the attacks, stating, “Each such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure.”
Zelenskiy also mentioned plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, highlighting discussions on humanitarian issues, particularly those affecting children.
Russian Military Denies Airspace Violation
Tensions escalated further as Russia denied claims made by Estonian authorities regarding an airspace violation. On Friday, Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had crossed into its airspace without permission, remaining there for approximately 12 minutes. In a statement, Russia asserted that its jets adhered to neutral waters in the Baltic Sea and did not breach any international borders.
The Russian Defence Ministry emphasized that the flight was conducted in compliance with airspace regulations. However, Estonian officials dismissed this assertion, citing radar and visual evidence of the incursion. Colonel Ants Kiviselg, commander of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Centre, stated that the situation needed further verification to determine if the violation was intentional, but he noted that the Russian pilots likely were aware of their position.
While the Russian jets did not pose a “military threat,” Kiviselg acknowledged the potential implications of such incidents for NATO’s regional security posture. The Estonian military confirmed that the jets entered its airspace around 09:58 local time on Friday, near Vaindloo Island, a small landmass in the Gulf of Finland.
The ongoing exchanges of military actions reflect the heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, as both nations continue to grapple with their respective military strategies amid a protracted conflict.
