The Kremlin has declared that Russia and NATO are now in a state of “direct confrontation” over the conflict in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence reported that Russia has downed 53 Ukrainian drones, with the majority targeting the Rostov region. The ministry stated that terrorist drone attacks were foiled, with 44 drones downed or intercepted in Rostov. The governor of Rostov confirmed the destruction of over 40 airborne targets, with an electricity substation damaged. Additional drones were downed in regions such as Saratov, Kursk, Belgorod, and Krasnodar, with no reported casualties.
Ukraine has also launched drone attacks on Russian cities and towns, with at least 10 people affected by fumes from a damaged gas pipeline in Kherson. The Ukrainian military repelled attack drones in Zaporizhia, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk, causing damage to residential and commercial buildings. In response, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for urgent aid to Ukraine, especially as countries like China, North Korea, and Iran are assisting Russia in building its defence capabilities.
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg acknowledged the urgency of the situation in Ukraine and the need for additional air defences. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that relations between Russia and NATO have deteriorated to the point of direct confrontation, with NATO expanding military infrastructure towards Russian borders. Concerns about Russia’s aggression in Europe have led countries like Finland and Sweden to join NATO, ending decades of neutrality.