Both Russia and Ukraine on Monday reported conducting strikes against each other's military airfields involving the use of long-range precision-guided weapons and drones.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that from Sunday night into early Monday, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack using long-range precision-guided weapons and drones against a Ukrainian military airfield in Rivne Oblast in northwestern Ukraine. The strike was described as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Russian media, citing sources, claimed the attack destroyed several Ukrainian aircraft and missile depots.
Additionally, the ministry reported that Russian troops used high-precision long-range air-based weapons to hit multiple Ukrainian military and defense industry targets. Russian air defense system also intercepted 49 Ukrainian drones overnight from Sunday to Monday across several regions, prompting temporary flight restrictions at airports in Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov and Tambov in western Russia due to security concerns.
The ministry further announced that Russian forces had expanded their controlled zone in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in south central Ukraine and continued advancing into Ukrainian defensive positions.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Ukraine's special operations forces attacked the Savasleyka airfield in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast in the early hours of Monday. Ukraine claimed the airfield housed MiG-31K fighters capable of launching Kinzhal missiles, with preliminary reports indicating two Russian jets were damaged.
The Ukrainian Air Force also said that Russia launched nearly 500 drones and multiple missiles at Ukrainian territory on Monday. Ukrainian defenses reportedly intercepted 460 drones and 19 missiles, including four Kinzhal missiles.
In a separate operation, Ukrainian drone units targeted a Russian defense enterprise in Chuvashia that produces navigation equipment. At least two drones struck the facility, causing a major fire, in what Ukraine described as an effort to degrade Russia’s aerial strike capabilities.
Russia, Ukraine exchange strikes on military airfields
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
