Russia reports drone interceptions, Kyiv missile attack, and Zelensky's preemptive strike pledge

Russia reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones across over a dozen regions, including Moscow, overnight. Concurrently, explosions were heard in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian air force indicating a missile targeted the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed Kyiv's intention to conduct "preemptive attacks" on Russian territory. The Kremlin attributed Ukrainian strikes to worsening front-line conditions, asserting Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" consequences for Kyiv. Separately, Russian-occupied Crimea declared an "emergency situation" due to a fuel crisis exacerbated by recent Ukrainian attacks. The European Council extended economic sanctions against Russia until summer 2027, and a first installment of a €90 billion European loan has been disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged "mutual respect" and "understanding of history" between Poles and Ukrainians at a reconstruction conference in Gdansk.

Sources: Le Monde — International