Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Attack Across Russia; Moscow, Tula, and Crimea Targeted
Ukrainian forces conducted extensive drone operations against Russian territory, while President Zelenskyy approved a 40-day SBU influence campaign to pressure Moscow.
The day on the war
Ukrainian forces carried out a massive drone attack overnight into June 26, targeting multiple regions across Russia, including Moscow, the Tula region, and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones, one of the highest figures since the conflict began.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that at least 47 drones heading toward the capital were intercepted. In the Tula region, the Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk was reportedly hit, causing damage and injuring one woman, according to Governor Dmitry Milyaev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had on June 25 approved a 40-day Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) operation aimed at influencing Russia to end the war.
Along the front
Kupyansk direction
Development: Russian forces continued offensive operations on June 25 but did not advance.
Source: ISW
Hulyaipole direction
Development: Russian forces continued offensive operations on June 25 but did not advance, with a slight reduction in ground attacks as forces regroup.
Source: ISW, Ukrainian Southern Defense Forces Spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn
Western Zaporizhia Oblast
Development: Russian forces continued limited offensive operations on June 25 but did not advance.
Source: ISW
Lyman direction
Development: The situation remained stable on June 25, with Russian forces not making tactical gains despite active use of strike drones.
Source: Ukrainian battalion commander
Overall Frontline
Development: 257 combat engagements were recorded on June 25, with Pokrovsk, Huliaipillia, and Kostiantynivka sectors experiencing the most activity.
Source: UA General Staff
Strikes & the grid
Ukraine (various regions)
What: Russia attacked with seven Iskander ballistic missiles and 189 UAVs overnight into June 26; Ukraine claims three missiles and 174 drones were shot down or jammed.
Toll: 3 missiles and 174 drones downed (UA Air Defence claim)
Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions, Ukraine
What: Russian strikes hit three rail locomotives, with one fatal strike in Zaporizhzhia, and two petrol stations.
Toll: One driver killed
Kyiv, Ukraine
What: An air raid alert was declared late Thursday night, with witnesses reporting missile interceptions.
Toll: No immediate casualties reported
Russian-held Kherson region, Crimea
What: Power was fully or partially cut off across Russian-held Kherson region and Crimea due to Ukrainian strikes; Crimea faces gasoline shortages and power outages.
Toll: Widespread power outages, gasoline sales banned to general public in Crimea
Diplomacy & talks
US-Russia talks (Alaska Summit 2025). US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on June 25 that Russia and the United States did not reach any agreement to end the war during the August 2025 Alaska Summit, despite Russian claims of existing agreements.
Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange. Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners following a second round of talks in Abu Dhabi.
Aid & sanctions
United States (Senators)
Measure: New legislation (SABER Act) introduced on June 25.
Detail: Would expand the existing REPO Act to allow frozen Russian assets in the US (estimated $5-7 billion) to be used for Ukraine's military aid and weapons purchases, not just humanitarian or economic aid.
France
Measure: Seizure of Russian shadow fleet oil tanker.
Detail: French authorities seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker 'Deliver' on June 25 off the coast of Sicily for violating maritime law.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.