On the night of April 5, 2025, Ukraine launched a large-scale attack on Russian territory, using unmanned aerial vehicles to strike several regions. The regions targeted included Lipetsk, Voronezh, Tula, Samara and other regions, where local residents and authorities recorded drone activity and air defense systems. The incident was one of the most notable episodes of the escalation of the conflict in recent weeks, demonstrating the ability of Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory.

In the Lipetsk region, according to eyewitnesses, the night passed in a tense situation: residents heard at least six powerful explosions, which were presumably connected with the interception of drones by Russian air defense. Some of those who were on the roads at that moment were forced to abandon their cars and seek shelter in nearby residential buildings. Drone activity was also recorded in the Voronezh region, and local residents reported a characteristic hum in the sky and the sounds of air defense systems in operation. Similar alarm signals were received from the Tula and Samara regions, where, according to preliminary data, air defense forces were also put on full combat alert.

This massive strike was a continuation of a series of attacks that Ukraine has stepped up in recent months against Russian border and rear regions. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, in March 2025 alone, more than 500 drones were shot down over the country's territory, a significant portion of which were heading for targets in the Lipetsk, Voronezh and Belgorod regions.

Current information from open sources confirms that Ukraine is increasing its use of drones to strike Russia. In early April 2025, Reuters reported that Kyiv had stepped up production of long-range drones capable of flying hundreds of kilometers.