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Russia downed 660 drones; Zelensky launches 40-day push

6/26/2026

36 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Russia's defence ministry reported destroying 660 Ukrainian drones in an overnight raid over 12 regions and Crimea.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 47 drones were shot down, while Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported a damaged house and the Azot fertilizer plant in Novomoskovsk was hit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he launched a 40-day influence operation and cited promised aid from U.S. President Donald Trump and G7 leaders.

History

Historical Context

In 2001 the CIA, led by Director George Tenet, used armed MQ-1 Predator drones in Afghanistan, delivering the first combat strike. The Predator had entered service in 1995 and became the prototype for later unmanned attacks. Russia’s defence ministry now reports downing 660 Ukrainian drones in twelve regions, showing how the 2001 precedent has evolved into large-scale swarm warfare.

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Story summary

Russia's defence ministry reported destroying 660 Ukrainian drones in an overnight raid over 12 regions and Crimea.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 47 drones were shot down, while Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported a damaged house and the Azot fertilizer plant in Novomoskovsk was hit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he launched a 40-day influence operation and cited promised aid from U.S. President Donald Trump and G7 leaders.

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