President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian long-range strikes have successfully targeted two major drone supply hubs located in Russia’s Moscow and Tambov regions on day 1,607 of the conflict. According to Russian officials and news reports, the facilities were warehouses belonging to the online retail company Wildberries. One location was in the town of Kotovsk in the Tambov region, roughly 360km (220 miles) from the Ukrainian border, while the second was in Elektrostal, a city known for metallurgy and machine-building situated 50km east of Moscow. Zelenskyy stated that these facilities were utilized by the aggressor to store sanctioned components necessary for the production of navigation equipment and drones.
The impact in Kotovsk was severe, with Tambov regional governor Yevgeny Pervyshov reporting that 30 night-shift workers were affected, with casualties ranging from 20-35 in total. Ukrainian military analyst Serhii Kuzan characterized Wildberries as a vital supplier of dual-use electronics and sanctioned goods to the Russian military. Additionally, local authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on the Belgorod region on Saturday afternoon resulted in one death and one injury.
Ukraine’s general staff detailed a broader campaign against Russian military logistics, reporting a strike on a fuel depot in Noginsk. In the Black and Azov seas, the military reported hitting two tankers, a tugboat, and two floating cranes, all allegedly used for transporting military cargo and fuel. Furthermore, Kyiv claimed to have struck a Project 10410 Svetlyak-class patrol ship in Kerch—marking the second vessel of that class hit in two days—and a railway bridge over the Bila River near Sabivka in occupied Luhansk.
Separately, Russia launched an attack on Odesa’s port infrastructure on Saturday. Regional governor Oleh Kiper reported that the strike hit a vessel flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, killing one person and injuring three others. The attack also caused damage to warehouses, storage tanks, and buildings.
In other developments, North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Moscow for meetings with her counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Analysts suggest Moscow is providing food, energy, financial aid, and military technology in exchange for North Korean missiles, munitions, and troops. Meanwhile, Botswana’s foreign ministry warned of an alarming number of its citizens being lured into combat in Russia through deceptive recruitment. This follows reports from the All Eyes on Wagner collective, which documented over 1,400 African recruits between January 2023 and September 2025, noting that more than 300 had died in frontline conditions often described as perilous.
Finally, Ukrainian prosecutor general Ruslan Kravchenko announced that investigators have recovered key evidence in the attempted assassination of businessman Vadym Iermolaiev in Monaco. Security service specialists restored surveillance footage that suspects had attempted to destroy, which was intended to confirm the completion of the alleged contract killing.
Botswana says an “alarming” number of its nationals are being forced into combat in Russia’s war against Ukraine after falling for deceptive recruitment schemes. Several African countries have said the same in recent months. Botwswana’s foreign ministry said: “The ministry continues to receive heartbreaking calls from Batswana already on the frontline, describing the perilous conditions they face.”
