Putin's Army Launches Missile Blitz After Alleged Ukraine 'Terrorist' Drone Attacks On Air Bases Miles Away From Front Lines

Ukrainian drones struck two air bases deep inside Russia's territory shortly before Vladimir Putin's forces destroyed homes and knocked out power with a massive missile barrage in Ukraine. 

What Happened: The Kremlin said Ukrainian drones had attacked two air bases at Ryazan and Saratov in south-central Russia, hundreds of miles from the front lines on Monday, reported Associated Press.

Moscow called the drone strikes a terrorist act aimed at disrupting its long-range aviation.

See Also: Elon Musk Prefers ‘Magical, Simple Solutions:’ Zelenskyy Advisor Says ‘Good Intentions Necessarily Pave Road To Putin’s…Hell’

Kyiv did not directly claim responsibility for the drone strikes.

In response to the drone attack, Russia launched a barrage of missiles that killed at least four people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that most of some 70 missiles were shot down. 

The missile attack was anticipated for days, and it took place just as emergency blackouts were due to end, as the government repaired previous damages. The missile strikes on the energy infrastructure plunged parts of the war-torn nation back into freezing darkness with temperatures below zero Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force said it shot down more than 60 of the 70 Russian missiles. The unprecedented drone attack in Russian territory threatens a significant escalation of conflict of the nine-month war, which has led to the death of thousands of people and damaged infrastructure worth trillion dollars.

Check out more of Benzinga’s Europe and Asia coverage by following this link.