On 2 May, Ukraine’s air force declared the start of a new peak in hostilities. Russia targeted vital infrastructure across Ukraine with 479 drones, in what has become the biggest overnight drone attack since the war began. In a remarkable display of defense, Ukraine’s air defenses successfully intercepted 277 drones and 19 missiles before they could reach their intended targets. Nonetheless, 10 of these drones and missiles successfully struck their targets, causing substantial damage and loss of life.
There has been one confirmed fatality from the attack, reported Oleksandr Koval. The size of the assault reveals how deep and extreme the war has turned. First, Russia has achieved deep advances in the Sumy region. According to the latest reports, Russian forces have advanced to within 18 miles of the regional capital. This new development has raised alarm bells among civic leaders and military commanders alike.
Major Andrii Kovalev of Ukraine’s general staff overseas rejected Russia’s claims. He was adamant that there had been no major breakthroughs deep into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast from the western frontier of Donetsk. He underscored that intensive fighting continues in Donetsk. He further assured that Russian forces had not yet crossed into Dnipropetrovsk.
“The information is not true. Fighting is ongoing in Donetsk oblast. The enemy did not enter Dnipropetrovsk oblast.” – Maj Andrii Kovalev
Oleh Hryhorov, deputy governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, urged citizens not to panic. He stressed that there is no reason to evacuate residents of Sumy city at this point. He called the conditions “tense but firmly guarded by defense forces.” That might suggest that local military units are doing a good job of keeping the threat at bay.
In an audacious reply, Ukraine’s armed forces claimed a successful drone strike on the bridge. They struck the VNIIR-Progress plant in Cheboksary, located more than 800 miles from the Ukrainian border. This facility is notable for its production capabilities and is currently one of two facilities under US sanctions. The Ukrainian drone strike forced temporary closure of the plant, disrupting Russia’s military production supply chains even more.
Following the attack on the VNIIR-Progress plant, Russia swiftly stopped commercial flights through the area. This controversial step further inflamed animosities between the two countries. Additionally, Ukraine’s special forces reportedly damaged two fighter jets during a night-time raid on an airfield deep within Russian territory. This airfield has been used by Russia to base MiG-31K fighters, which carry Kinzhal ballistic missiles, for strike missions in Ukraine.
Explosions rattled Kyiv, hurling terrified residents onto the streets in the early morning hours of February 24. An office building in the Darnytsia district took damage during the ongoing hostilities. About 20 missiles were shot at Ukraine, mainly at the central and western part. In the wake of these unprovoked aerial assaults, Poland had no option but to react to safeguard the security of the region, scrambling Polish fighter jets into action.
In addition to targeting the Saky airbase, Ukraine’s armed forces reported strikes on the Dubno airbase, signaling their continued tactical proficiency even during a shift in hostilities. As the animosity only seems to grow, both countries prepare for what’s next in this long-running war.