Drone Attacks Escalate in Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Key Russian Missile Defense System Destroyed, Massive Grain Losses, and Foreign Dignitaries Show Support

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both sides engaged in drone attacks early Wednesday, with Kyiv targeting Moscow and the Kremlin's forces launching another bombardment of Ukrainian grain storage depots. This has become a signature tactic in the nearly 18-month war. Ukrainian intelligence claimed to have destroyed a key Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system in occupied Crimea, which would be a significant blow to Moscow. The S-400 missiles are highly advanced and capable of striking enemy aircraft, with a range of 400 kilometers.

One particular drone attack in Ukraine's southern Odesa region resulted in a blaze at grain facilities, destroying 13,000 metric tons of grain. This attack brings the total grain losses for the month to around 270,000 metric tons. Last month, Russia targeted Odesa, crippling parts of the port city's grain facilities following President Vladimir Putin's decision to break off Russia's participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This initiative allowed Ukraine's exports to reach countries facing a hunger threat, and Ukraine shipped 32.9 million metric tons of grain under this agreement.

Russian officials claimed to have downed Ukrainian drones in Moscow and its surrounding region, with the defense ministry reporting that a drone had smashed into a building under construction in Moscow City. While the drone attacks have become almost a daily occurrence in the Russian capital, no casualties were reported. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Moscow's military assets behind the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine and launched drones against the city.

The conflict has also resulted in civilian casualties. A Russian drone attack on the city of Romny in northeastern Ukraine struck a local school, killing the principal, his deputy, a secretary, and the school librarian. Additionally, three people were killed in the Belgorod region of Russia on the Ukrainian border after repeated shelling of a sanatorium. The Belgorod region has experienced sporadic fighting and shelling during the war.

Despite the ongoing conflict, a few foreign dignitaries, including the prime minister of Finland and the presidents of Portugal and Lithuania, visited Ukraine on Wednesday to show their support. Their visit coincided with the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine, preceding Ukrainian Independence Day on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with top officials, participated in the unfurling of a giant Ukrainian flag in Kyiv, which bore numerous signatures of soldiers, volunteers, doctors, and rescuers.