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Russia, Ukraine exchange overnight strikes, targeting infrastructure and cargo vessels
Moscow says it intercepted 195 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital, while Russian forces struck a major steel plant and cargo vessels.
Russia, Ukraine exchange overnight strikes, targeting infrastructure and cargo vessels
Aftermath of a Russian air attack in Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine on October 17 2026. / Reuters

Russia and Ukraine exchanged attacks overnight, with Moscow reporting a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the capital and Russian forces striking industrial, energy and maritime targets across Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Saturday that Russian air defence units had intercepted and destroyed 195 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital since midnight.

Emergency crews were examining debris, he said.

Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said Moscow's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports had suspended flight operations.

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Russian strikes hit Ukrainian infrastructure

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces carried out a large-scale overnight attack on Ukrainian targets, including the country's largest steelworks in Kryvyi Rih and vessels using the port of Odessa.

The Kryvyi Rih plant, owned by steel giant ArcelorMittal, suspended operations in September following a series of Russian ballistic missile strikes.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It also reported strikes on an electricity substation in Zhytomyr and another steel plant in Zaporizhzhia.

A cargo vessel in the Black Sea was also hit, which Moscow alleged was carrying military supplies to Odessa.

Later on Saturday, the ministry reported further strikes on a vehicle-repair plant in Lutsk, an electricity substation in the western Ternopil region and another cargo vessel south of Odessa, which it said was carrying military and dual-use cargo.

SOURCE:TRT World & Agencies