KYIV, June 15: A Ukrainian drone strike on Sunday in Russia’s Tatarstan region killed one person and injured 13 others, according to local authorities.
Regional Governor Rustam Minnikhanov said the drone was intercepted, but falling debris caused a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district, about 1,200 kilometers from the front lines. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down six Ukrainian drones overnight.
In retaliation, Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine, deploying 183 drones, decoys, and 11 missiles. Ukraine’s air force reported that it destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed. Authorities in Ukraine’s Poltava region said energy and agricultural infrastructure was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed it had captured the village of Malynivka in the Donetsk region as part of a renewed push along the eastern front. The Ukrainian military has not confirmed this claim.
Diplomatically, Russia returned the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers under an agreement reached during June 2 peace talks in Istanbul. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed the handover. However, Russian officials said Ukraine did not return any bodies on Sunday.
The latest developments come after a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Trump reportedly urged Putin to end the war.
The conflict continues to intensify, with drone warfare playing an increasingly central role and limited diplomatic progress seen on the ground. (AP)
