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- October 13, 202619°
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- October 13, 202619°
Russia Claims to Have Thwarted Major Ukrainian Drone Attack
Russia announced it shot down hundreds of drones in a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeting multiple regions including Saint Petersburg. Kiev reported casualties in Russian strikes...
Russia announced that it neutralized hundreds of drones during a large-scale Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle attack carried out overnight. The attack also targeted Saint Petersburg, where residents were warned to stay indoors.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Saturday morning that 376 Ukrainian drones were shot down. Targeted areas included border regions such as Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk, as well as Crimea and the Azov Sea vicinity.
The inclusion of Saint Petersburg among the targets drew attention. The warning came while a major economic forum was underway in the city, making security measures more visible.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on X that the Ukrainian drones sent overnight traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers to reach the Saint Petersburg region, enemy naval ammunition depots, and a base in Kronstadt. Zelenskyy began his message with a call for peace, emphasizing the need to end the war.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used 272 attack drones overnight, of which 249 were shot down by air defenses. The Kiev administration also reported that at least three people died during Russian strikes overnight.
As the clashes continue, diplomatic activity has intensified. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a closed-door meeting with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder at the Kremlin. Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov described the meeting as "good and friendly" but did not provide details.
This meeting followed Putin’s suggestion of Schröder as a potential mediator for future talks between Europe and Russia. Putin mentioned such a role could arise shortly after European Council President Antonio Costa indicated the European Union might provide a venue for negotiations.
Schröder is known to have maintained close ties with Putin for many years, held a senior position at the Russian-controlled energy company Rosneft after leaving office, and was involved in the Nord Stream projects. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha opposed the idea of the former German leader acting as a mediator.
Amid intensified diplomatic efforts, Zelenskyy published an open letter earlier this week calling for direct talks with Putin. He proposed a full ceasefire and suggested meeting at a neutral location.
The Kremlin quickly rejected this call. Speaking at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said he currently saw no reason to meet with Zelenskyy and questioned the sincerity of the Ukrainian leader’s invitation.
Putin argued that comprehensive preparations at the expert level are necessary for a possible solution and reiterated Moscow’s long-standing demands regarding territorial and security arrangements. Kiev stated it is open to negotiations but insists that the causes of the war must be addressed before a leaders’ summit.
Attention now turns to a high-level meeting of European leaders scheduled for Sunday in London. Zelenskyy is expected to discuss military support, diplomatic strategy, and the future of peace efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to meet with Zelenskyy to discuss increasing pressure on Russia. The Elysee Palace stated that despite Russia’s military, economic, and strategic failures, it continues to wage a deadly war.
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