Russia continued its military operations on Wednesday, intercepting more than 200 Ukrainian drones within Russian territory, while Ukraine claimed to have attacked a semiconductor device factory in Russia's Oryol region.
Russia's Ministry of Defense said that its forces had struck Ukrainian training camps, military airport, ammunition depots, and other targets. According to Russian media reports on the same day, Russian forces had reached the border of Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia's air defense shot down over 200 Ukrainian drones on that day, with more than 100 intercepted outside the special military operation zone. From 15:00 to 18:00 Moscow time on Wednesday, Russian air defense systems downed 67 Ukrainian drones in regions within Russia, including Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, and Moscow, with 15 of those drones shot down near Moscow.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported dozens of battles with Russian troops on the front lines as of Wednesday afternoon, with the fiercest fighting taking place in Pokrovsk. Its forces continued to carry out operations in parts of Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions.
The head of the Dnipropetrovsk region military administration denied reports on Wednesday that Russian forces had reached the region's administrative border. Additionally, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian drone units, in coordination with other forces, had carried out an attack on a semiconductor device factory in Russia's Oryol region during the early hours of Wednesday.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that work on the peace treaty with Ukraine is progressing actively.
Furthermore, both Russia and Ukraine confirmed on the same day that they were preparing to implement the previously agreed plan, reached in Istanbul, Turkey, for the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war.
Russia, Ukraine report latest fighting results
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
