Ukraine has launched what it describes as its "most massive" attack on Russia to date, striking several key targets deep inside Russian territory, including ammunition depots and chemical plants.

The strikes, which occurred overnight, targeted facilities across multiple regions, some located hundreds of kilometers from the border.

According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, the attack caused significant damage to Russian infrastructure. Ukrainian sources within the SBU intelligence agency told the BBC that the operation dealt a "painful blow" to Russia's war capabilities.

In response, Russia reported shooting down several advanced weapons, including US-supplied Atacms missiles and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and vowed retaliation.

The attack caused widespread disruption in central and western Russia, with at least nine airports temporarily halting operations. Schools in the southwestern Saratov region were also closed as a precautionary measure.

The border region of Bryansk saw explosions at multiple sites, including a refinery, ammunition depots, and a chemical plant believed to produce gunpowder and explosives. Ukrainian security sources confirmed these targets were hit in the attack.

However, the strikes also reached much deeper into Russian territory. The Ukrainian General Staff claimed that targets as far as 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) from the border were struck. In the Saratov region, a "massive" drone attack caused damage to two industrial plants in the cities of Engels and Saratov. Regional Governor Roman Busargin confirmed the damage on Telegram, noting that students in the area were shifted to online learning after local schools were closed.

Earlier last week, Ukraine reported an attack on an oil storage facility in Engels, which led to a days-long fire, prompting Busargin to declare a state of emergency.

Further strikes were reported in the Tula region, where Governor Dmitry Milyaev said Russia’s air defenses had intercepted 16 drones. While no casualties were reported, falling debris caused damage to cars and buildings in the area.

In addition, a gas storage facility near Kazan in Tatarstan was struck by drones, although no casualties were reported.

The unprecedented scale of this attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Ukraine demonstrating its ability to hit targets deep within Russian territory. Russia has promised to retaliate, setting the stage for further tensions. (ILKHA)