Russia, Ukraine escalate drone attacks on front lines

Drone attacks have escalated on the front lines in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia saying on Monday that its air defense systems had intercepted 356 fixed-wing drones over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine said on the same day that Russian forces had launched 165 drones and nine missiles at its territory beginning at 18:00 local time on Sunday.

According to a battlefield report from the Russian Defense Ministry issued on Monday, Russian forces carried out strikes on 148 Ukrainian targets over the past day. These included military-industrial facilities, long-range drone production and assembly workshops, and training centers for drone operators.

The ministry said that between 13:00 and 20:00 local time on Sunday, several regions across Russia were targeted by 253 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones. Several airports, including those in Moscow, temporarily imposed movement restrictions due to threats from drones.

Ukraine's Air Force said on Monday that Russia had launched strikes on Ukraine with nine missiles and 165 drones since 18:00 on Sunday. As of 08:00 Monday, Ukraine had shot down or suppressed 137 drones launched by Russia, and confirmed that 10 locations were hit by 26 drones and missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that "This week alone, Russia launched more than 1,070 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,000 attack drones, and six missiles against Ukraine."

Russia, Ukraine escalate drone attacks on front lines

The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, have sparked mass protests in Uruguay, where demonstrators have denounced the move as an act of imperialist aggression. The United States launched a series of attacks against Venezuela on Saturday, seizing President Maduro and flying him to the U.S. to stand trial. The actions against Venezuela have shocked the international community, triggering condemnation and raising serious concerns worldwide.

"On behalf of Uruguay's unions, civil organizations, and the united front of our people, we strongly condemn the U.S. imperialist aggression against Venezuela," said Matilde Pomi, protest organizer.

"This is a bloody and criminal invasion. We must understand that it affects the entire region. It's an attack on all of Latin America. We are all at risk," said one of the protesters named Patricia, who held a sign reading "Yankees are murderers."

Crowds also gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, expressing their outrage over the U.S. acts of aggression. Pedro Sassone, the Venezuelan Consul in Uruguay, called for the defense of Venezuela's sovereignty and independence.

"This is war, an invasion. Venezuela is under attack. We call on the peoples of the Americas and the world to stand together in defense of our sovereignty and independence," said Sassone.

Protests erupt in Uruguay after U.S. strikes Venezuela