Multiple Russian regions, including occupied Crimea and key military-industrial zones, came under intense aerial and maritime assault overnight on 3 May. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an unprecedented wave of drone and missile strikes, targeting military and infrastructure sites deep within enemy territory.
More than 15 explosions were reported in Novorossiysk, over 10 in Anapa, five in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, and between four to eight in Feodosia and Kerch. These strikes prompted widespread deployment of Russian air defences across the Krasnodar Territory, the Rostov Region, and the occupied Crimean Peninsula. A residential building in Novorossiysk suffered damage in what Russia described as a combined air and water drone attack. According to the Russian defence ministry, unmanned boats and aircraft-style drones were intercepted in the Black Sea.
The strikes, part of Ukraine’s strategic campaign to degrade Russia’s military capabilities, targeted logistics centres, air defences, oil refineries, and weapons production hubs. Among the intercepted projectiles, Russian forces claimed to have neutralised eight Storm Shadow cruise missiles and three Neptune-MD guided missiles. Fourteen unmanned boats were reportedly destroyed in the Black Sea, reflecting the scale of Ukraine’s tactical reach.
This coordinated offensive marked one of the largest drone assaults Russia has admitted to in recent months, with simultaneous attacks reported across several strategic zones.
In a notable development, Ukrainian drones also struck the “Zvezda” space electronic reconnaissance facility in the village of Moskovskoye in the Stavropol Krai. The Soviet-era base, dating back to the 1970s and used to monitor NATO and foreign satellite signals, suffered a hit on the night of 2 May. The facility has long been considered a centre for Russian space-based intelligence and psychological operations.
Separately, a high-value target in Bryansk came under attack in what Russian officials labelled a “massive drone strike.” Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council official Andrii Kovalenko confirmed that drones had hit the Kremniy-El microelectronics plant, a key asset in Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant manufactures sensitive components for systems including the Topol-M, Iskander, and Bulava missile programmes, as well as drone and aircraft electronic systems.
Adding to the growing list of strikes, Ukrainian drones also reportedly targeted the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. The zone, over 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, is home to a factory assembling Shahed-type drones, known in Russia as Gerans. Independent Russian outlet Astra shared footage allegedly showing one drone being downed in the area. The long-range strike follows a previous successful hit in April that disrupted production lines.
