On the morning of March 17, extending into the early hours of March 18, Moscow time, air defense units reportedly intercepted and destroyed a total of 72 enemy drones over several regions of the Russian Federation. The report came through official channels of the Russian Defense Ministry. According to the ministry, the drones were attributed to Ukrainian armed forces, and the operation involved a coordinated effort across multiple air defense systems deployed in western, southern, and border areas. The ministry noted that the bulk of the attack pressed toward the Kursk region, with a substantial portion of the drones neutralized before they could threaten populated areas or critical infrastructure. The remaining drones were shot down over Astrakhan, the Oryol, Volgograd, Bryansk, Rostov regions, and the Kalmykia Republic, with two drones directed toward Krasnodar and one toward Tula. The account describes a layered air defense response during a period of heightened aerial activity. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Among the regions, Kursk reportedly bore the heaviest impact. Russian air defense forces hit 36 Ukrainian drones in that area, significantly reducing the threat to key facilities. In Astrakhan, 13 drones were neutralized; seven were downed in the Oryol region; four in Volgograd; and three in Bryansk, Rostov regions and the Kalmykia Republic. The ministry also reported two drones launched toward the Krasnodar region and one toward the Tula region. The figures illustrate a broad, dispersed approach by the attacker and a robust, multi-layered barrier by Russian defenses designed to counter unmanned threats across a wide geographic footprint. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Prior to these daytime events, there was a nighttime attack by Ukrainian drones on a fuel and energy complex in the Astrakhan region. A civilian was reported injured, according to Astrakhan governor Igor Babushkin, though the condition of the victim was not disclosed. Babushkin also stated that all air defense systems were operating normally and that previous drone strikes had been repelled. A fire broke out at the fuel and energy facility after the assault, but emergency services indicated that the situation was under control and under investigation by specialists. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Earlier, Russian air defense systems reportedly intercepted four bombs in separate incidents. The authorities described the incidents as being managed without further casualties, and they emphasized ongoing monitoring of airspace and readiness across multiple regions to counter aerial threats and safeguard essential infrastructure. The sequence of events reflects a sustained defensive posture in the face of continuing unmanned threats. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.