What's happened
On November 6, 2024, Ukraine conducted a drone strike on Russia's Caspian Sea Fleet in Kaspiysk, marking its first attack in the region. The strike reportedly damaged missile ships, highlighting Ukraine's expanding military capabilities and ongoing conflict with Russia. This follows a recent drone incident in Belgorod, where a drone crashed into an apartment complex.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Bloomberg, Ukraine's drone strike on Kaspiysk is significant as it marks the first attack on a target in the Caspian Sea region, with reports of damage to missile carriers. The Moscow Times noted that the drone involved in a separate incident in Belgorod resembled Iranian-designed Shahed drones, suggesting potential operational errors. Business Insider UK highlighted the strategic implications of Ukraine's expanding strike capabilities, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by the Russian Navy. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the evolving nature of the conflict and the implications for both nations' military strategies.
How we got here
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian military assets, including naval forces, to disrupt operations and assert its military capabilities. Recent drone strikes indicate a shift in Ukraine's operational reach.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Kaspiysk is a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea, 18 kilometers southeast of Makhachkala. The 2010 Russian census recorded the city as being the fourth-largest in Dagestan.
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Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Gladkov (Russian: Вячеслав Владимирович Гладков; born 15 January 1969) is a Russian statesman and politician. He became the governor of Belgorod Oblast on 27 September 2021, after serving as its acting g
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Belgorod is a city and the administrative center of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Seversky Donets River 40 kilometers north of the border with Ukraine. Population: 356,402; 337,030; 300,408.