Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted Friday that Ukrainian troops have started a long-expected counteroffensive and were suffering “significant” losses. His comments came just hours after a string of drone strikes inside Russian territory.

Russian officials report that Ukrainian drone attacks overnight have killed seven people and wounded 51 others

Smoke billows above Podolsk, in the Moscow region, after a huge Ukrainian drone attack - Reuters Ukraine bombarded Moscow with 400 drones in an overnight attack that left fires raging across the region.

Ukraine's long-range drones are striking deep inside Russia, up to 1,200 miles away, hitting oil refineries and depots. NPR recently spent time with one of the Ukrainian strike teams launching drones at Russian targets.

Ukraine has made significant progress in the war this year, and a rift between the country's outgoing army chief and its defense minister threatened to derail its efforts.