Russian air defences down dozens of Ukrainian drones, together with two close to St. Petersburg
Russian air defence items downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in extensively dispersed components of the nation, together with two close to the nation’s second-largest metropolis, St. Petersburg, officers stated.
Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad area surrounding St. Petersburg, wrote on Telegram that two drones had been downed in numerous districts south of town.
He stated no accidents or harm was reported. Operations had been suspended for a time at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport.
The governor of Smolensk area in western Russia stated anti-aircraft items had downed three drones with none casualties or harm. The governor of Voronezh area, subsequent to Ukraine stated “a number of” drones had been destroyed.
The Russian Defence Ministry reported a complete of 42 drones destroyed over a three-hour interval, 37 of them in three areas bordering Ukraine – Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk.
Ukraine has deployed drones more and more in assaults on distant targets in Russian territory. In a single spectacular set of strikes final month, in an operation dubbed “Spider’s Internet”, numerous Russian bombers had been hit at varied air bases.
Russian forces have used growing numbers of drones to focus on Ukrainian cities, with a file whole of 539 drones and 11 missiles deployed towards Kyiv on Thursday (July 3, 2025) night time, in accordance with the Ukrainian air power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his army had efficiently deployed drone interceptors to down Russian drones within the in a single day assault.
Russia launches largest missile, drone barrage on Kyiv since starting of conflict
Waves of drones and missiles focused Kyiv in a single day within the largest aerial assault since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started greater than three years in the past, officers stated Friday (July 4, 2025), amid a renewed Russian push to seize extra of its neighbour’s land.
The seven-hour bombardment of Kyiv triggered extreme harm throughout a number of districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught, authorities stated.
Blasts lit up the night time sky and echoed throughout town as air raid sirens wailed. The blue lights of emergency autos mirrored off high-rise buildings, and particles blocked metropolis streets. “It was a harsh, sleepless night time,” Mr. Zelenskyy stated.
Russia has been stepping up its long-range assaults on Ukrainian cities. Lower than every week in the past, Russia launched what was then the most important aerial assault of the conflict. That technique has coincided with a concerted Russian effort to interrupt via components of the roughly 1,000-km entrance line, the place Ukrainian troops are below extreme strain.
Russia launched 550 drones and missiles throughout Ukraine throughout the night time, the nation’s air power stated. The bulk had been Shahed drones, however Russia additionally launched 11 missiles within the assault.
Alya Shahlai, a 23-year-old Kyiv marriage ceremony photographer, stated that her house was destroyed within the assault. “We had been all within the (basement) shelter as a result of it was so loud, staying house would have been suicidal,” she instructed The Related Press. “We went down 10 minutes earlier than after which there was a loud explosion, and the lights went out within the shelter, individuals had been panicking.” 5 ambulances had been broken whereas responding to calls, officers stated, and emergency companies eliminated greater than 300 tons of rubble.
Mr. Zelenskyy, Mr. Trump maintain “essential and productive” telephone name
Hours after the barrage that killed one particular person and wounded no less than 26 others, together with a baby, Mr. Zelenskyy stated he had a “essential and productive” telephone name with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The 2 leaders mentioned how Ukrainian air defences could be strengthened, attainable joint weapons manufacturing between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S.-led efforts to finish the conflict with Russia, in accordance with a press release by Mr. Zelenskyy.
The U.S. has paused some shipments of army assist to Ukraine, together with essential air defence missiles. Ukraine’s essential European backers are contemplating how they might help decide up the slack. Mr. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to construct up Ukraine’s home arms business, however scaling up will take time. The White Home didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark in regards to the name.
In Friday’s (July 4, 2025) name, Mr. Zelenskyy stated he congratulated Mr. Trump and the American individuals on Independence Day and thanked the US for its continued assist.
They mentioned a attainable future assembly between their groups to discover methods of enhancing Ukraine’s safety towards air assaults, Mr. Zelenskyy stated.
He added that they talked intimately about defence business capabilities and direct joint tasks with the U.S., significantly in drone know-how. In addition they exchanged views on mutual procurement, funding, and diplomatic cooperation with worldwide companions, Mr. Zelenskyy stated.
Revealed – July 05, 2025 07:12 am IST
