Ukraine unleashes heavy drone bombardment as Russia strikes : NPR

Key Points:

• Ukraine conducted a significant nighttime drone attack targeting a dozen Russian regions, including Russian-held Crimea and surrounding seas, with Russia intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones, marking one of Kyiv's largest assaults since the 2022 invasion.
• Ukrainian drones targeted Russian navy ships and air defense radars in Kerch, Crimea, reportedly causing a large fire, while Russian sources indicated a chemical plant and hydroelectric plant in Novomoskovsk were hit, though these claims remain unverified.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a "40-day influence operation" aimed at intensifying pressure on Russia to end the war, coinciding with continued foreign aid pledges and a planned NATO summit expected to bolster Ukraine's military support.
• Russian attacks in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and other areas killed three civilians and wounded 29, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting most Russian drones overnight, though some ballistic missiles struck various locations.
• Ukrainian officials reported no Russian military buildup near the Belarus-Ukraine border, despite Russia expanding military sites deeper inside Belarus, alleviating concerns of a new front opening from that direction.