Ukrainian Drone Attacks Hit Multiple Russian Cities, Airports Amid Russian Air Defense Strain

Russian air defenses mistakenly targeted a civilian Aeroflot flight near Moscow, mistaking it for a drone, though the passenger jet landed safely with minor damage. This incident underscores the heightened risks of friendly fire amid ongoing drone attacks on Russian territory, including recent strikes on military facilities and factories near Moscow and other cities. Ukrainian drone assaults have led to airport closures and damage to military-industrial sites, with Russia claiming to have shot down numerous drones during these attacks. To counter these threats, Ukrainian experts emphasize the need for multiple interceptor drones per enemy UAV and improved detection systems, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance drone defense capabilities. Meanwhile, Lithuania reported an incursion of a suspicious homemade aircraft resembling a Shahed drone near its border with Belarus, which turned out to be a low-cost decoy drone similar to those Russia uses to confuse air defenses. These events collectively reflect the intensifying drone warfare dynamics in the region and the challenges faced by both sides in managing and mitigating aerial threats.