Moscow/Belgorod. – Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 152 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest cross-border aerial assaults since the war began.

The heaviest impact was reported in Belgorod Oblast, where 65 drones were downed, followed by Saratov Oblast with 35 interceptions. Explosions were also reported deep inside Russian territory in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that despite large-scale interceptions, debris and several drones struck power stations and key infrastructure facilities, causing widespread blackouts, water supply disruptions, and heating system failures amid freezing temperatures.

Reports also indicated that drones targeted the Kalyegino oil pumping station in Tatarstan a critical node in Russia’s oil pipeline network sparking a pre-dawn fire.

The strike comes days before the anniversary of the war and is widely viewed as a retaliatory signal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after Russia reportedly launched nearly 350 drones and missiles at Ukrainian territory earlier this week.