Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1199: Russia launches record 407 drones in overnight assault

Exclusive

What rose from bottom of Kakhovka Reservoir after Russia's dam blast?. The sludge Russia stirred up from the Dnipro has reached the Black Sea, Romania, Bulgaria—and may be irreversible.

Russia just made its deadliest bombs twice as dangerous. Extended-range glide bombs now fly 95km, beyond Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

Small Russian groups hit Sumy defenses. 50,000 troops prepare the real assault.. Russian troops probe Sumy Oblast, possibly in preparation for a major attack.

Russia's thickest "red line" just went up in smoke — now the West has to go all in. As Ukraine razed Russia's most feared nuclear bombers, the West has no choice but to call Putin's nuclear bluff once and for all.

Ukraine calls to reject "good" Russians framework— it omits broader imperialism issue. While the West loops in the trap that splits support for Kyiv, Ukraine reveals why this cycle helps Putin by design — burying the only real path to Moscow's democracy.

Russia's newest "drone protection" exposed as painted household cookware.

Inside the secret workshops where Ukraine's hipster engineers build killer drones. They look like they should be fixing your Wi-Fi or brewing oat milk lattes—but inside a bunker near the frontline, they're building $300 drones that are outsmarting Russian tanks and rewriting the rules of modern war.

Kyiv, we have a problem: Russia just reverse-engineered Ukraine's drone motherships. Now Moscow can strike deep behind the front, using Ukraine's own tactics against them.

Military

Frontline report: Russia's 50,000 troops surge for Sumy offensive — that's exactly what Kyiv's HIMARS were waiting for. While Russia massed troops for their "decisive breakthrough," Ukraine's fake retreat turned Moscow's back-up surge into a HIMARS feeding frenzy. Mi-8 military helicopter blown up, Mi-35 wrecked as Ukraine hits Russia's Bryansk airport, media says. Last night, explosions and secondary detonation were reported at the facility, evidently used militarily. After months, Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian fuel depots, targets airfields and military factories (video). Ukraine struck a fuel plant in Russia's Engels in Saratov Oblast, used by strategic bombers. More attacks targeted Ryazan, Tambov, and Moscow oblasts.

Intelligence and technology

Russia overloads bombers with missiles to strike Ukraine risking total fleet breakdown. Tu-95s are overloaded, Tu-160s grounded, and mass strikes unlikely again soon, says aviation analyst. ACLED reveals how Russia lies about Ukrainian army losses: data analysts slash kill claims from 300 to 10 when verification fails. War monitoring organization ACLED automatically reduces Russian Defense Ministry casualty claims by up to 97% when independent verification fails, cutting reported Ukrainian deaths from hundreds to 10 in their war database. Russia's Tu-160 bomber use in missile attack last night proves Tu-95 shortage after operation Spiderweb, Militarnyi says. To launch 36 cruise missiles, Russia had to use more costly and complex Tu-160s alongside Tu-95s. Russia receives 140 mm and 60 mm mortars from North Korea. Photos confirm transfer of unique artillery once seen only in parades.

International

Former Polish president demands election recount after anti-Ukraine candidate wins. Ex-President Wałęsa questions the legitimacy of Karol Nawrocki's victory, a candidate who cites historical grievances to oppose Ukraine's EU and NATO bids. ISW: Putin speaks to Pope, blames Ukraine for war, keeps posing as peace-seeking, while offering no concessions. Despite diplomatic language, Moscow remains committed to total Ukrainian capitulation. Brussels pushes EU sanctions leadership amid Trump uncertainty, exposes Russia's $ 1 trillion war windfall. More than 1,000 aging vessels help Russia evade oil sanctions through a "shadow fleet" that generates billions in revenue, according to a white paper calling for stronger EU sanctions on Moscow. Trump compares Russia-Ukraine war to playground fight, hints at punishing both Russia and Ukraine. He said the conflict might need to run its course before diplomacy can work.

Humanitarian and social impact

Two years later, Russia is still unpunished for drowning 100,000 people in Kherson Oblast. However, Ukraine prepares to revive the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant destroyed by Russia. This is not just about electricity. It's about security, water supply, navigation, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia launches 407 drones and 45 missiles against Ukraine in overnight assault, Air Force says (updated). Ukrainian officials say the volume of attacks continues to rise weekly. Russian missiles, drones hit Kyiv, Ternopil, Lutsk in one of Moscow's largest air assaults. Civilians killed and injured (updates). Russia's massive air attack overnight targeted energy and civilian sites in multiple oblasts, injuring dozens, killing at least four civilians.

Political and legal developments

One cannot exist if other does: Kremlin directly says war on Ukraine is about elimination, not land. Russia no longer hides its goal. Ukraine's very existence is the problem, not its borders. Read our earlier daily review here.