Talks of Peace and New Strikes: Ukraine Attacked Southern Russia, Russia Retaliated Against Kyiv

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The night of November 25 marked a demonstration of escalating confrontation, characterized by one of the most extensive mutual strikes in recent times. Russian forces launched a combined missile and drone strike on targets within Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces carried out a massive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on a number of regions in southern Russia.

Strikes on Ukraine: Scale and Objectives

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a total of 486 air attack assets were detected by air defense systems overnight, including 22 missiles of various types and 464 UAVs. The Russian side, in turn, reported using a wide array of weaponry, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Kalibr and Iskander cruise missiles, as well as attack drones.

The video shows a launch of eight ship-based Kalibr cruise missiles by Russian forces

The primary targets of the attack were energy infrastructure facilities and defense industry enterprises in several regions.

• Kyiv and Region: Critical generating capacities were hit, including Combined Heat and Power Plants (CHPP) -5 and -6, the Darnytsia electrical substation, and the Kyiv and Kaniv Hydroelectric Power Plants. Reports indicated significant damage to power units, transformers, and switchgear, leading to large-scale power outages, temporary restrictions on heating in several city districts, and disruptions to metro services. A railway logistics center in the Darnytskyi district was also damaged.

• Odesa Region: Strikes targeted a local CHPP, worsening the city’s energy and heating situation. Damage to air defense assets and warehouse infrastructure was also reported.

• Other Regions: Explosions were recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Sumy regions, where, according to available information, energy system facilities and dual-purpose production sites were struck.

A particular emphasis was placed on enterprises associated with the production and modernization of unmanned aerial vehicles in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, where, according to Russian claims, key production workshops were destroyed and equipment was damaged.

Strike on Russia: Focus and Consequences

On the night of November 25, Ukrainian forces conducted one of the largest drone attacks since the beginning of the conflict. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the destruction of 249 UAVs over the Black Sea, Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, and the Rostov, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, and Lipetsk regions.

Despite claims of effective air defense operations, a number of drones reached their targets. The primary impact was on civilian and industrial infrastructure in the south of the country.

• Krasnodar Krai: The cities of Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, and Tuapse, among others, came under attack. The administrative building of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s marine terminal in Novorossiysk was damaged, temporarily halting oil loading operations. Damage to residential buildings was also reported. During the attack in Novorossiysk, the public alert system was hacked, leading to the dissemination of false reports about a chemical threat.

• Rostov Region: In Taganrog, according to Ukrainian sources, the Beriev Aircraft Plant was hit, damaging an experimental aircraft, as well as a UAV manufacturing enterprise.

Preliminary data indicates that these attacks resulted in casualties among the civilian population, with damage to residential buildings and social infrastructure.

Thus, the events of November 24-25 confirm a sustained trend toward a war of attrition. Both sides are striking critical infrastructure of each other, aiming to undermine their economic and military-industrial potential.

It can be forecast that this pattern of mutual strikes will persist in the coming months. The Russian army will continue offensive operations on the front line, while Ukraine, with support from Western partners, will intensify long-range attacks, seeking to create socio-economic pressure.