Russia and Ukraine launch record-breaking drone strikes as Kremlin eyes Trump’s next move
Russia and Ukraine launched a record number of drones at each other Saturday night, as the Kremlin says it has seen “positive signals” from US president-elect Donald Trump over his desire to strike a deal to end the war.
Kyiv’s attempted strike on Moscow was the largest since the war began, with Moscow’s regional governor Andrei Vorobyov describing it as “massive”.
It forced the temporary closure of three airports, wounded a 52-year-old woman and set two homes on fire in the village of Stanovoye in the Moscow region, officials said.
The defence ministry said Russia’s air defence had downed a total of 70 Ukrainian drones in three hours over six regions.
It said 34 were downed over the Moscow region and the rest over Bryansk, Orlov, Kaluga, Tula and Kursk.
“An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an airplane-type drones on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted,” Russia’s defence ministry said.
Odesa was among the cities struck by Russian drones overnight. (Reuters: Nina Liashonok)
Meanwhile, Russia launched 145 drones at Ukraine overnight, according to a post on social media by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It represented the largest night-time drone strike on Ukraine since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of the country began in 2022.
There were no reports of injuries from the strikes.
Mr Zelenskyy used the strikes to renew his plea for increased military aid from the west.
Trump ‘less predictable’ than Biden and Harris, Kremlin says
In October, Russian forces made their largest territorial gains in eastern Ukraine since March 2022, according to AFP and the Institute for the Study of War.
Ukrainian forces continue to hold territory in the Russia’s Kursk region following a counteroffensive earlier this year.
The election of Mr Trump last week has bolstered hope in Russia that Ukraine would have to concede land in any peace deal.
On Saturday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, said there were “positive signals” that the incoming Trump administration would strike a deal to end the conflict.
The assessment came after Mr Trump’s transition team distanced itself from comments made by a Republican strategist that the new administration’s priority in Ukraine would be establishing peace and not restoring lost territory, including Crimea.
Mr Trump himself has said numerous times that he could end fighting within hours of taking office and would negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“What will happen next, it’s hard to say,” Mr Peskov said.
He added that Mr Trump was “less predictable” than Ms Harris and Mr Biden.
“It’s also less predictable to what extent he will stick to the statements that he made on the campaign trail.”
“At least he’s talking about peace, and not about confrontation. He isn’t talking about his wish to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia — that distinguishes him from the current administration.”
Putin signs off on North Korea defence deal
Russia’s gains come amid reports up to 10,000 North Korean troops were being deployed on the frontline in Ukraine.
A defence pact between the two countries was originally struck in June, when Vladimir Putin visited the reclusive country.
The Kremlin published the signed law ratifying the treaty on its website on Saturday evening.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un announced the deal in June.
The agreement formalises months of deepening security cooperation between the two nations, which were Communist allies throughout the Cold War.
The deal obligates both states to provide military assistance “without delay” in the case of an attack on the other.
It also commits them to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions and coordinate positions at the United Nations.
AFP/Reuters
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