Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian City, Killing Three
Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian city of Izhevsk on Tuesday, resulting in three deaths and injuring dozens, marking one of the deepest attacks inside Russia since the conflict began three years ago, officials reported. Izhevsk, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the frontlines, houses weapons production facilities, including those manufacturing attack drones and the internationally known Kalashnikov rifle. A Ukrainian security source stated that Kyiv had aimed at a drone producer in Izhevsk, asserting the strike weakened Russia’s “offensive capabilities.”
Unverified footage shared on social media showed drones flying over the city, with one clip displaying a large explosion atop a building, according to Reuters. The regional governor confirmed the drones struck an industrial site but provided no further details. Both nations have intensified efforts to advance drone technology for battlefield use, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing drone development as a key focus earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first phone conversation since September 2022, discussing the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin announced. Macron’s office stated the two-hour call included appeals for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace negotiations. The Kremlin, however, claimed Putin reiterated that the war was a result of Western policies. Macron also spoke with Zelenskyy before and after the call and later briefed U.S. President Donald Trump.
Separately, U.S. officials confirmed on Tuesday a temporary halt in some arms shipments to Ukraine due to concerns about dwindling stockpiles. Deliveries of certain munitions, previously pledged under the Biden administration to support Ukraine’s defense efforts, have been paused following a review by defense officials. “This decision prioritizes U.S. interests after evaluating our global military assistance,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, adding that U.S. military strength remains “unquestioned.”
In response to Russian oil trade evasion tactics, Germany announced additional measures against Moscow’s “shadow fleet” operating in the Baltic and North Sea. Western sanctions, intended to reduce Russia’s oil revenue since its invasion of Ukraine, have led to an increase in tankers bypassing restrictions. Starting Tuesday, German authorities began inquiring about tankers’ insurance coverage for oil spill risks.
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