Heavy exchanges between Russia and Ukraine are unfolding this week, as each side steps up its offensive with drone strikes and power disruptions ⚡.
Russia’s defense ministry published a video of a downed drone that it said Ukraine launched at President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in northwest Russia earlier this week 📹. The move was highlighted as evidence of Kyiv’s growing reach.
But Ukraine isn’t holding back. Russian officials reported a series of drone attacks targeting Moscow, parts of western Russia and Crimea 🎯. One drone strike injured two people and caused a small fire at the Tuapse oil refinery, while a Russian overnight air raid on the southern Odesa region left more than 170,000 consumers without power.
On the battlefield, Russian General Valery Gerasimov said Moscow’s forces are pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine, and that President Putin has ordered the expansion of what Russia calls a buffer zone in 2026 🚁.
In a further show of might, Russia released footage of deploying its nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, underscoring its strategic ties with Minsk 🚀.
Meanwhile, Kyiv is looking for new security guarantees. Earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is discussing with Washington a possible U.S. troop presence 🇺🇸🤝. And in a diplomatic twist, Germany dropped its investigation into billionaire Alisher Usmanov over EU sanctions violations in exchange for a €10 million settlement.
As we head into 2026, this surge in activity raises fresh questions about the next moves on both sides. Stay tuned for more updates! 🔍
Reference(s):
Russia doubles down on Putin residence claim, Ukraine targets Moscow
cgtn.com
