Russia launched a series of intense drone attacks on Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces reporting the downing of 34 out of 81 drones deployed overnight by Moscow. Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed that 47 drones were neutralized using electronic warfare techniques, redirecting them away from civilian targets.

On the battlefield, Russian forces captured three new villages near the contested city of Pokrovsk: Dachynske, Novyi Trud, and Vovkiv, according to Ukrainian military bloggers. Russia appears to be adopting a southern flanking strategy around the industrial city, threatening the vital route connecting Pokrovsk to the key city of Dnipro.

Friday's attacks left casualties in Ukraine, with drone strikes on the capital, Kyiv, killing one person, injuring others, and damaging several buildings. In Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, Russian missile strikes killed one civilian and injured four others, also causing damage to two residential buildings.

Chernihiv, which previously housed a population of around 300,000, is a strategic location near the Russian border and has seen continuous escalation since the war began.

Meanwhile, Russia temporarily suspended air traffic at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft. The Russian Air Transport Agency reported that air defenses intercepted two drones over the Gulf of Finland without causing any injuries or damage.

Russia continues to intensify its aerial and ground offensives, while Ukraine strives to counteract with air defense systems and electronic warfare amid escalating military and humanitarian tensions.