Large-scale drone attacks hit multiple locations in Russia

Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, October 18 (Reporter Zhao Bing) The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 18th that from 20:00 on the 17th to 08:00 on the 18th, multiple regions in Russia were attacked by drones, and Russian air defense forces intercepted and shot down 1,015 Ukrainian drones over Belgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, Moscow regions, and above the Black Sea.

TASS reported that this drone attack is one of the largest attacks of the year.

The Mayor of Saint Petersburg, Beglov, stated on social media on the 18th that the city was attacked by drones in the early hours of the day, resulting in 1 death and 5 injuries. The Russian Aviation Authority announced that Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg had suspended flights that day, and passengers and staff were evacuated to safe areas.

The Governor of Leningrad Oblast, Drozdenko, stated on social media on the 18th that a total of 144 drones were shot down in the region during the early hours. The debris from the drones caused damage to a local apartment building, a private house, and power lines, leading to power outages in some areas.

The Russian Ministry of Defense's report on the 18th also indicated that the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike at Ukrainian logistics centers, ports, and vessels, causing damage to a logistics center in Rivne, Ukraine, used for storing and distributing drone components and other goods. Additionally, the Russian military struck a cargo ship carrying dual-use goods 30 kilometers east of the port of Odessa.