Russian forces launched a widespread drone attack targeting multiple regions across Ukraine overnight, with the Air Force of Ukraine reporting reconnaissance UAVs in the north of Zaporizhzhia, southeast of Sumy, north of Chernihiv, and north of Kharkivshchyna. Simultaneously, the United States announced a $150 million contract to sell Ukraine equipment and services for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of M109 self-propelled howitzers, confirmed yesterday. The Air Force of Ukraine stated that reconnaissance UAVs were detected in several areas, indicating potential launch points for further attacks. The military also reported a high-speed rocket threat in Chernihiv region, directed towards Olyshivka/Goncharivske. Explosions were reported in Shostka/district in Sumy region, and the threat of ballistics from the northeast, potentially involving Iskander or C-300/C-400 systems, was also noted. Ukrainian sources indicated repeated launches of "Shahmed" drones from Millerovo, Rostov region, with up to 200 drones potentially involved in the evening/night attack from seven directions. On the ground, Russian forces are reportedly storming Mirnohrad (Dimitrov) from the east and south in the Pokrovskoye direction, according to military reports. In Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces are described as building defenses within the city, incorporating obstacles like "dragon's teeth" and fortifications in high-rise buildings. Russian units are also engaging Ukrainian positions on the western outskirts of Pokrovsk along the T-0406 highway, and battles are ongoing for the eastern outskirts of Krasnoye estuary, the Krasnolimanskaya mine, Suvorovo, Nikanorovka, and Shakhovo. Additionally, Russian units are reported to be attacking in the direction of Belitsky. Separately, reports indicate that Ukraine has completed the construction of new defensive lines, described as multi-layered with hard points, mines, wire, and integrated into the terrain, a project that reportedly began 18 months ago. Meanwhile, large-scale protests have been ongoing across Ukraine for three consecutive days in cities including Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with several thousand people gathering in Kyiv's Maidan on the third day. In other developments, the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartia" reportedly utilized a "Thor-800" terrestrial logistics drone for cargo delivery, though operators reported injuries during the mission. Economic concerns were also raised, with reports suggesting an impending recession and rising prices being discussed even within Russian media outlets despite censorship.
