The war entered day 1,601 with new large-scale attacks from both sides. Ukraine continues its campaign against Russia’s energy and logistics infrastructure: it hit an oil depot in the Stavropol region and sent drones towards Moscow, where Russian authorities claim to have intercepted 11 unmanned aircraft. Two airports were temporarily closed.
The Ukrainian drone campaign forced Russia to suspend maritime transport through the Sea of Azov, one of the main routes for oil and grain exports.
At the same time, Russia launched new drone attacks on Ukraine. Odessa was hit again, damaging the infrastructure of a transport company where several buses burned, and three people were injured. In the Chernihiv region, the attacks left nearly 70,000 consumers without electricity, and in Zaporizhia, several people were hospitalized after an attack on residential areas.
Following Russian attacks on the Odesa region, a Shahed-136 drone penetrated Moldova's airspace and exploded in the Căușeni district. Chisinau speaks of a new serious violation of its airspace.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to Paris on Monday for meetings with Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of the "Coalition of Will." The agenda includes launching a European initiative for missile defense, accelerating arms deliveries, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Attacks
- Oil depot hit in Stavropol - Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian region of Stavropol on Sunday night, causing a fire at an oil depot in the town of Vyazniki, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Governor Vladimir Vladimirov stated that there were no casualties, and the fire broke out in an industrial area during the attack. On the same night, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that the anti-aircraft defense intercepted 11 drones heading towards the capital. Due to the attacks, the Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports were temporarily closed.
- Intensifying offensive against Russian logistics - The Ukrainian Defense Forces claim they are intensifying their operation against Russian logistics. According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian army states that it is consistently targeting depots, equipment, command points, and supply routes deep within the Russian apparatus. Military personnel say that although Russia is publishing images of the effects of these attacks less frequently, the pace of strikes has not diminished, and the recent program launched by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense aims to expand the capabilities of attacking Russian logistics infrastructure.
- Russia loses access to a key maritime corridor - Russia has suspended maritime transport through the Sea of Azov after a series of Ukrainian attacks on ships and logistics infrastructure, reports The Guardian. According to the publication, approximately 90 ships were targeted in less than a week, including tankers from the "shadow fleet" used for exporting Russian oil. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Zahorodniuk states that Moscow has lost control of an essential maritime corridor for the transportation of oil, grains, and other goods, a blockade that also affects supplies through the Don-Azov canal.
Frontline Situation
- Odesa hit again by drones - Russia launched a new drone attack on Odessa on Sunday night. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the base of a transport company was hit, where several buses were destroyed by fire, and four residences were damaged. Three men were injured and taken to the hospital. Kyiv Post notes that the attack is part of a new series of strikes on the Odesa region, after Russian drones had hit a residential building and the roof of a construction materials store near the city just a few hours earlier. Authorities continue to assess the damages.
- Almost 70,000 people without power - Russian attacks left nearly 70,000 consumers without electricity in the Chernihiv region, according to the regional distribution operator cited by Ukrinform. Power supply was interrupted in the districts of Chernihiv and Koriukivka, and intervention teams are trying to restore the network. During the night, Russia also attacked the Zaporizhia region. Several people were injured, and homes, cars, and a hospital were damaged.
Other Relevant Information
- Shahed drone exploded in Moldova - A Gheran-2 (Shahed-136) drone crashed and exploded on Sunday night in the vicinity of the village of Copanca, in the Căușeni district in southern Moldova, after flying over the country's airspace in the context of Russian attacks on the Odesa region. Police were alerted around 01:03, and police and firefighters responded to the scene. An explosion caused a fire, but no casualties were reported. According to the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chisinau, the incident represents "a serious and unacceptable violation" of Moldova's airspace and demonstrates that Russia's war against Ukraine poses direct risks to the security of the country and the entire region.
- Summit for Ukraine in Paris - The "Coalition of Will" summit begins in Paris on Monday, a few days after the NATO meeting in Ankara. Leaders of over 35 participating states will discuss strengthening Ukraine's defense against missile attacks, accelerating arms deliveries, security guarantees for Kyiv, and increasing pressure on Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also attending the meeting, where he will have a bilateral meeting with Emmanuel Macron.
- First meeting of the anti-missile coalition - Ahead of the "Coalition of Will" summit taking place in Paris on Monday, the first meeting of the new Coalition for Missile Defense will occur, as announced by Ukrinform, citing the Élysée Palace. The initiative already brings together eight states and aims to strengthen Ukraine's protection against ballistic missile attacks by developing defense systems and fostering industrial cooperation among European defense companies. Kyiv will also present the Freya missile defense system project, developed in Ukraine as a cheaper and easier-to-produce alternative to the Patriot system.