(MOSCOW) – A series of Ukrainian drone strikes deep within Russian territory on Thursday caused significant disruption, targeting energy infrastructure and forcing the closure of Moscow’s airspace. The closure diverted the flight of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was travelling to the Russian capital for talks.
Separately, residents of Russia’s Kursk Oblast held a public protest after regional authorities terminated monthly compensation payments for those living in the war zone.
The overnight drone attacks struck facilities hundreds of kilometres from the Ukraine border. A fire was reported at the Acron chemical plant in Veliky Novgorod, a facility that produces ammonium nitrate, a component used in explosives. In a first, a Ukrainian sea drone also struck the ‘Volk’ oil and gas platform, operated by Lukoil, in the Caspian Sea. The platform has reportedly halted production.
| Target | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Acron Chemical Plant | Veliky Novgorod | Produces materials for explosives. |
| Lukoil’s ‘Volk’ Platform | Caspian Sea | Major oil and gas production site. |
The widespread aerial assault prompted the Russian authorities to close the airspace over Moscow and other regions, leading to the cancellation of approximately 130 flights in the capital alone. Prime Minister Pashinyan’s aircraft was among those unable to land, necessitating a diversion.
Meanwhile, in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, which has experienced cross-border incursions, citizens gathered to protest the cancellation of monthly payments introduced in 2024 for residents of active war zones. The move highlights growing domestic strain as the Russian government contends with a significant budget deficit intensified by wartime spending and international sanctions.
The Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, faces increasing challenges in maintaining both military logistics and domestic stability. The successful Ukrainian strikes on distant strategic targets lays bare the vulnerabilities in Russian air defences and energy security, while the protest in Kursk points to rising social discontent over the war’s consequences at home.
