The Ukrainian Air Force has reported that Russia has launched 479 explosive drones over its territory during the night and 20 missiles in the most extensive attack since the beginning of the war. The statement mentioned that 460 of these drones had been intercepted, along with 19 of the 20 missiles.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to target Russian strategic infrastructures with drones. This morning, the target was an electronics company in the Chuvashia region, about 1,300 km from the border, which had to halt its production after two drones crashed into the plant.
The governor of the region, Oleg Nikolayev, stated that the attack, one of the deepest by a Ukrainian drone in Russia during the war, did not cause casualties. However, "the responsible decision has been made to temporarily suspend production to ensure the safety of the employees" of VNIIR company, which according to Kiev produces antennas for Shahed kamikaze drones.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that their anti-aircraft defense systems destroyed 49 Ukrainian drones overnight
Russia arrests six people accused of illegally exporting military aviation parts
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Monday that they had arrested six individuals who were illegally exporting parts of Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine, among other countries, as reported by Efe.
"The FSB stopped the illegal activity of an internationally organized group involved in smuggling aeronautical equipment abroad, including to Ukraine," the secret services communicated through their website.
To carry out the operation, the detainees acquired helicopter components from licensed production companies through a chain of business structures to subsequently "illegally transport across the state border," they claim.
Security services state that the six individuals detained for smuggling military equipment, citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East, were coordinated by individuals residing abroad.
It is speculated that the value of the components exceeds 400 million rubles (over 4.4 million dollars) and the parts in question would supply four helicopters.
Rutte calls for a 400% increase in alliance's air defense
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on Monday for a "400% increase" in the alliance's air and missile defense in response to the Russian threat.
"We see in Ukraine how Russia spreads terror from the sky, so we will strengthen the shield protecting our skies," Rutte declared in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London, according to a statement.
To maintain credible deterrence and defense, he noted that NATO needs "a 400% increase in its air and missile defense."
Russia launches its largest attack of the war: 479 drones and 20 missiles
Russia unleashed a record 479 explosive drones over Ukraine on Sunday night and 20 missiles, announced the Ukrainian air force after this new series of attacks, which come as Moscow continues to reject Kiev's demands for a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian air force stated in a release that 460 of these drones had been intercepted, along with 19 of the 20 missiles fired by Russia.
Ukraine claims to have hit another Russian military airfield
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that their drones also struck the Savasleika military airfield early this morning, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region of the Russian Federation, from where MiG-31K aircraft carrying hypersonic Kinzhal missiles regularly take off.
"The Russian aggressor uses it (the airfield) to attack Ukrainian territory," reads the General Staff's note reporting the attack.
The note adds that, according to information obtained by Ukraine, an MiG-31 aircraft and another Russian Su-30 or Su-34 aircraft were reportedly damaged in the attack.
Ukraine reports attack on Shahed antennas factory in Chuvashia
The Ukrainian General Staff reported an attack on the electronics plant located in the city of Cheboksary, in the Russian region of Chuvashia. At least two drones hit the factory, causing a large fire.
According to the statement, it is a factory producing antennas for Shahed kamikaze drones within the Russian Federation, in a new attack on Russian rear areas as part of its strategy to weaken their aerial capabilities.
In addition to antennas for Shahed drones, the factory produces components necessary for the navigation systems of aerial bombs and other types of Russian weaponry.
Ukrainian tenor Gorai dies while volunteering in Sumy
Tenor Vladislav Gorai, a soloist at the National Opera of Odessa, died on Sunday while volunteering in the Sumy region, bordering Russia, according to official sources from the opera, as reported by Reuters.
More than three years after starting its war against Ukraine, Russia advanced further into Sumy last week, threatening the regional capital with a dual advance involving fierce frontline combat and relentless missile and drone attacks.
"The whole world knew the voice of Vladislav Vikentiiovich, but his heart belonged to Ukraine," the opera stated in a Facebook post on Sunday. "Even in the darkest moments, he did not stand aside: he helped, volunteered, supported," adding: "The National Opera of Odessa is now orphaned." It was not immediately clear how Gorai, appointed Honored Artist of Ukraine in 2013, died.
Putin approves major Russian Navy overhaul, Kremlin advisor says
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new naval strategy aimed at fully restoring Russia's position as one of the world's leading maritime powers, according to Kremlin advisor Nikolai Patrushev in an interview published on Monday, as reported by Reuters.
Russia has the third most powerful navy in the world after China and the United States, according to most public rankings, although the navy has suffered a series of high-profile losses in the Ukraine war. Patrushev, a former KGB officer who served with Putin in St. Petersburg during the Soviet era, said that the new naval strategy titled "The Strategy for the Development of the Russian Navy until 2050" had been approved by Putin at the end of May.
"Russia's position as one of the world's major maritime powers is gradually being restored," Patrushev declared to the newspaper Argumenti i Fakti in an interview.
Poland mobilizes fighter jets after Russian attack in western Ukraine
The Polish army announced on Monday that it had mobilized its fighter jets due to an "intense" Russian attack in western Ukraine.
"Due to the intense Russian aerial attack on Ukrainian territory, Polish and allied aircraft began operating within Polish airspace in the morning," announced the Polish General Staff.
"The service fighters were deployed in pairs, and the air defense and radar reconnaissance systems remain at the highest alert level," they added. They noted that the measures are "precautionary."
Russia attacked western Ukraine with dozens of drones and missiles, according to Rivne Mayor Oleksander Tretiak, who described it as the "largest attack" in the region.
Russia destroys 49 Ukrainian drones
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that their anti-aircraft defense systems destroyed 49 Ukrainian drones overnight. In the Voronezh region, damage to a gas pipeline was recorded, as reported by the regional governor.
Ukraine attacks an electronics plant in Chuvashia
Ukraine continues to target Russian strategic infrastructures with drones. This morning, the target was an electronics company in the Chuvashia region, about 1,300 km from the border, which had to halt its production after two drones crashed into the plant.
The governor of the region, Oleg Nikolayev, stated that the attack, one of the deepest by a Ukrainian drone in Russia during the war, did not cause casualties. However, "the responsible decision has been made to temporarily suspend production to ensure the safety of the employees" of VNIIR company, where the drones fell, which produces components for electronic warfare.