Russia and Ukraine escalate cross-border drone strikes

Russia and Ukraine escalated cross-border drone attacks overnight, with Russia reporting 610 Ukrainian drones downed over 15 regions and Crimea, while Ukraine reported civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The strikes mark a significant intensification of the conflict. Russian air defenses intercepted drones near Moscow, St. Petersburg, and border regions like Kursk and Belgorod, with 144 downed approaching the capital, forcing closure of its four main airports. In Ukraine, one person died in Sloviansk from Russian aerial bombs, and Vinnytsia saw its most intense attack since the war began, with 24 drones shot down and six wounded. The escalation follows Russia ignoring a US-brokered energy truce that Kyiv had observed. Ukrainian media report Russia aims to cut power and heating in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa before winter, while Ukraine seeks to disrupt Russian air travel.