Russia Downs 616 Ukrainian Drones in Largest Attack; Strikes NATO Cargo Ship in Odesa

On October 24, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 616 Ukrainian drones overnight, with an additional 125 shot down during the day, marking one of the largest drone attacks on Russian territory. The attacks caused damage to industrial sites in Tolyatti, injured a civilian in the Millerovsky district, and damaged buses and a power substation in the Rostov region. Military experts Vasily Dandikin and Valery Istomin stated that drones targeting the Volga region are launched from border areas like Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while attacks on southern Russia come from Kherson across the Azov Sea. For the strike on Omsk, over 2,500 kilometers from the border, experts suggested the use of new long-range drones, possible launches from third countries, or actions by dormant cells. In response, Russian forces struck a Ukrainian unmanned boat production facility in the port of Chornomorsk and a vessel delivering cargo to Odesa. Experts said Russia's response will be mirror-like, using precision weapons against Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, warehouses, and logistics infrastructure.