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Ukraine's largest drone raid and Crimea emergency
Summary
A look back at 26 June 2026, when a large drone attack on Russia, a prisoner swap and an emergency declaration in Crimea coincided.
What happened on 26 June 2026, as Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Russia since the start of the war? Over 660 drones were launched at multiple regions, including Moscow Oblast. On the same day, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had approved a "40-day campaign" aimed at "compelling Russia to end the war".
A state of emergency was also declared in Russian-occupied Crimea in response to an increasing number of airstrikes by Ukrainian forces. Two days earlier, on 24 June, Ukrainian missiles had struck two Russian military airfields and several air defence systems in Crimea.
A prisoner exchange
The day also brought a prisoner-of-war exchange. Russia and Ukraine each released 160 people.
Strikes in the days before
On 24 June, Ukrainian long-range drones hit targets inside Russia, including the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant, which also houses the only helium plant in Russia. Two Russian Satellite Communications Company facilities were also struck, one in Moscow Oblast and another in Vladimir Oblast. Russia said its forces had shot down 323 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Also on 24 June, Yabloko deputy leader Maxim Kruglov was convicted and faces seven years in prison over his anti-war stance on social media, including remarks about the Russian Army.
