Ukraine Launches Nearly 1,200 Drones at Russia in Major Aerial Attack

Ukraine launched nearly 1,200 drones at Russian targets overnight in one of its largest aerial assaults since the invasion began, killing seven people and causing a fire at an oil refinery in Volgograd. Russia's Defence Ministry said it intercepted 1,198 Ukrainian long-range drones between late Thursday and early Friday, but strikes across three regions killed seven people, including a 12-year-old child, and wounded 17 others. Ukraine's General Staff said its forces struck the Volgograd refinery, which has an annual capacity of approximately 110 million barrels. The attack coincided with US and Russian negotiators expanding talks to include post-Cold War European security arrangements, raising concerns among European leaders about NATO's role. US envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while Russia agreed to include European representatives in future negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia launched 117 drones at Ukraine, killing at least two people and causing power outages across 12 regions.