Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Strike on Crimea and Russia After Announcing '40-Day Campaign'

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks of the war just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new "40-day campaign" aimed at increasing pressure on Russia to end the conflict. Russia claims it intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, while Ukrainian officials said naval and air defense targets in occupied Crimea were successfully hit.

Ukraine Escalates Drone Campaign

Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone assault overnight, targeting multiple locations across Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea shortly after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new "40-day campaign" designed to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war.

According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian air defenses intercepted or destroyed a total of 660 Ukrainian drones over Moscow, Belgorod, Kursk, occupied Crimea, and areas above the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Targets in Occupied Crimea

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said the operation targeted Russian naval vessels and air defense radar systems in the occupied Crimean port city of Kerch.

The Associated Press described the attack as the largest drone strike against Crimea since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The previous largest reported drone operation occurred on May 17, when 556 drones were reportedly involved.

Zelensky Announces '40-Day Campaign'

The strikes came only hours after President Zelensky announced that he had approved a new "40-day campaign" led by Ukraine's Security Service. He said the operation is intended to increase pressure on Russia and push Moscow toward negotiations to end the war.

Zelensky did not disclose operational details, but his comments suggested Ukraine intends to intensify military pressure in the coming weeks.

Crimea Declares State of Emergency

Following the attacks, Russian-installed Crimean leader Sergey Aksyonov announced a state of emergency after consultations with Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.

Aksyonov said the emergency declaration was primarily intended to address economic challenges. Occupied Crimea has faced increasing energy shortages in recent weeks following repeated Ukrainian strikes that reportedly damaged energy infrastructure, including oil facilities.