Russia Downs Drones Near Moscow as Airstrikes Hit Ukraine’s Izmail Port

Russia and Ukraine exchanged fresh overnight drone attacks on Tuesday, escalating tensions as the war continues with no breakthrough in peace negotiations. Ukrainian officials said a Russian air assault damaged critical port infrastructure in Izmail, a strategic city in the Odesa region that hosts Ukraine’s largest Danube River port.

According to local authorities, Russian drones targeted Izmail during the early morning hours, damaging several port facilities and sparking fires. Emergency crews responded quickly, and officials reported that most of the incoming aerial weapons were intercepted before causing major destruction. No casualties were recorded, although images shared on Telegram showed firefighters battling flames at a heavily damaged building with shattered windows.

Izmail remains a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s grain exports and river trade, making it a frequent target in Russia’s ongoing military campaign. The attack highlights continued pressure on Ukraine’s southern infrastructure and export routes.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Kharkiv came under another drone strike, with Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirming that two people were rescued from debris while emergency teams searched for another possible victim trapped beneath rubble. Additional drone attacks were also reported in Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities stated that air defense systems intercepted four Ukrainian drones heading toward Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said emergency services were deployed following the attempted strike, though no major damage was immediately reported.

Russian regions including Kursk, Rostov, and Yaroslavl also reported drone incidents. In Yaroslavl, officials confirmed that an industrial facility linked to Russia’s energy sector suffered damage after a drone attack triggered a fire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said recent strikes on Russian energy infrastructure had reduced Russia’s oil refining capacity by around 10%, adding pressure on Moscow’s wartime economy as the conflict enters another prolonged phase.