Drones

Dozens of Ukrainian Drones Strike St. Petersburg in What Russia Calls Unprecedented Attack Dozens of Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg in a large-scale aerial assault that Russian authorities described as unprecedented since the beginning of the war. Governor Alexander Beglov urged residents to remain indoors for the first time since the conflict began, signaling the most severe security threat the city has faced throughout the war. The attack on Russia’s second-largest city represents a significant escalation in Ukraine’s long-range drone capabilities and suggests a strategic shift in Kyiv’s approach to targeting Russian infrastructure deep within its territory. St. Petersburg, home to approximately five million people, has previously experienced isolated drone incidents but never an assault of this scale and coordination. ...

During the Vivid Sydney festival, a drone light show experienced a technical glitch causing dozens of drones to crash into Sydney Harbour. Both event organizers and the UK company behind the show attributed the incident to technical difficulties.

Ukrainian Drone Commander “Madyar” Casts Shadow Over Putin Parade The Guardian profiles “Madyar,” a Ukrainian drone operations commander whose forces continue to pressure Russian positions as Putin holds a scaled-back Victory Day parade. President Zelenskyy has “decreed” that Moscow may proceed with its parade, but Ukrainian drone operations demonstrate that the battlefield situation remains fluid. Madyar’s unit exemplifies Ukraine’s growing drone warfare capabilities. Source: The Guardian, Google News

[Flash] Ukraine Drone Operations Reveal Future of Robotic Warfare President Zelensky stated that Ukraine has captured territory using only robots and drones. The claim has sparked widespread discussion among military experts about the future of unmanned combat. Analysts believe Ukraine’s battlefield experience is reshaping global military strategy, with unmanned systems playing an increasingly central role in future conflicts. Source: BBC Technology

The Guardian profiles the key figure behind Ukraine’s drone operations, codenamed Madyar, whose forces have struck multiple Russian targets in the ongoing conflict.

[Flash] Russia Continues Drone Strikes Despite Ukraine Ceasefire Russia has launched dozens of drones at Ukrainian targets despite Kyiv’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, the Associated Press reported. Ukraine had declared a ceasefire ahead of Victory Day commemorations, but Moscow has not reciprocated. The strikes killed dozens of people before the ceasefire could take full effect, highlighting the stark divergence between the two sides’ positions. Analysts note that Russia’s refusal to halt attacks suggests it maintains battlefield momentum, while Ukraine’s unilateral ceasefire is driven more by diplomatic and humanitarian considerations. The ceasefire standoff appears unlikely to resolve in the near term. ...

Ukraine launches drone attacks on Russia’s largest Baltic oil export port Primorsk and targets multiple shadow fleet tankers. Deadly Russian airstrikes also hit Ukraine on the same day.

Russia launched 269 drones overnight hitting 15 Ukrainian locations, killing 10; Ukraine retaliated, striking Russian shadow fleet tankers and a Kalibr-carrying corvette.

President Zelensky announced Ukrainian drone strikes on three Russian oil tankers, a cruise-missile corvette, and a patrol boat, while also significantly damaging the Primorsk oil terminal on the Baltic Sea. Russian strikes killed 10 and injured 76 across Ukraine.

BBC analysis shows the US-Israeli war in Iran has unexpectedly elevated Ukraine’s international standing, with Zelensky signing defence deals with three Gulf states.