**Ukraine Update: November 26**
Russia has launched a record number of drones against Ukraine, with 188 Shaheds and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being sent overnight on Nov. 26.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defenses shot down 76 drones across 17 oblasts, while 95 were “lost” due to electronic warfare means. Five drones flew to Belarus.
This is the highest number of drone attacks since Moscow intensified its use of cheap kamikaze drones in recent months.
**Russia Admits Ukraine Hit Airbase with ATACMS**
For the first time, Russia’s Defense Ministry has admitted that Ukraine hit an airbase in Kursk Oblast with U.S.-made long-range ATACMS missiles. The ministry said three out of five ATACMS missiles launched on Nov. 23 were shot down.
Ukraine also fired eight ATACMS missiles at the Kursk Vostochny airbase on Nov. 25, with seven allegedly shot down by Russian air defenses. One missile “reached its target,” injuring two soldiers and damaging infrastructure.
**Russia’s Advance in Ukraine Accelerates**
Russian forces have captured a record number of territories in Ukraine since the start of November, according to analysts. In the past week alone, Russia has taken 234.79 square kilometers (90 square miles), which is the highest weekly gain this year.
The advance is reportedly the fastest near Velyka Novosilka, a village in southern Donetsk Oblast close to the administrative border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
**Russian Soldiers Suspected of Executing 5 Ukrainian POWs**
Prosecutors have launched an investigation into reports that Russian soldiers executed five Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Pokrovsk. According to witnesses, the Russians forced the POWs to lay down their weapons and lie on the ground before shooting them with automatic weapons.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman has notified the United Nations and the Red Cross about the incident, calling it a “gross violation” of international law.
**UK Boosts Kyiv’s Arsenal with Storm Shadows**
The UK has delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, marking the first major arms transfer under Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s leadership. The shipment was made weeks ago and came after Ukrainian forces faced shortages of long-range missiles.
These new deliveries come as Ukraine continues to use long-range weapons to strike Russian targets in western regions.
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