Russia says its air defences shot down 1,198 Ukrainian drones overnight in a Ukraine drone barrage over more than 15 Russian regions, and that four people were killed in the southern Volgograd region, according to the Russian defence ministry and local authorities.
What Russia Reported
The defence ministry said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 1,198 drones during the night. International news agency AFP described it as one of the largest swarms Kyiv has sent, but the figure is Russia’s own claim and has not been independently confirmed. Local authorities said four people working in an industrial zone in Volgograd were killed. The zone houses an oil refinery and a chemical factory.
Diplomacy Alongside the Strikes
On Thursday, November 12, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before flying to Dublin to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks are part of US-led efforts to end a war that is approaching its fifth year. While Putin hosted the American negotiators, Russia fired waves of explosive drones at Kyiv, and at least one person was killed.
The Ukraine Drone Barrage and the Energy War
Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russia’s energy industry over the past 18 months, aiming to cut Kremlin revenues and weaken Moscow’s ability to fund a war it launched in February 2022. Ukraine, for its part, says Russia is hitting its power grid with aerial attacks, leaving residents without electricity as temperatures fall ahead of winter.
Why It Matters
Attacks on refineries, chemical plants and power stations affect civilians as much as armies, because they hit fuel supply, jobs and heating. Each side blames the other for the strikes on infrastructure, and casualty and interception numbers from both governments are hard to verify independently.
What Happens Next
All eyes are on whether the US-led talks can produce a ceasefire while strikes continue on both sides. For official updates, visit the Russian Ministry of Defence website.
At a Glance
- Russia says it downed 1,198 Ukrainian drones over 15-plus regions overnight
- Four people died in an industrial zone in Volgograd, authorities said
- US envoys met Putin in Moscow, then Zelensky in Dublin on Thursday
- Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russian energy sites for 18 months
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