The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 18 Ukrainian drones were destroyed and that a HIMARS MLRS projectile was shot down. The ministry conveyed these details to reporters in a brief briefing.
According to the ministry, a total of 3,313 drones have been eliminated since the start of the conflict. The figures are part of regular updates the defense ministry provides on the pace of aerial interdiction and the effectiveness of air defense and counter-drone measures.
Earlier, it was reported that during the night of March 1 a military unit in the Saki region of Crimea was subjected to a dispersal of unmanned aerial vehicles whose models were not specified. In one incident, one of the drones reportedly exploded, resulting in damage to the windows of service buildings but with no injuries reported among personnel on site.
Telegram channel Baza claimed that two drones were attempting to attack the military unit in Crimea. The channel suggested that the drones may have crashed due to the action of air defense systems or electronic warfare equipment, with preliminary data indicating no casualties or injuries from the incident.
On March 1, the Defense Ministry stated that Russian forces repulsed an attack involving 10 assault UAVs in Crimea. According to official accounts, air defense forces intercepted six drones while four were neutralized through electronic warfare methods. The ministry emphasized that the operation prevented any successful advance by the drones on the targeted installation, underscoring the ongoing efforts to protect strategic facilities in the region.
Across these reports, several themes emerge: the ongoing tempo of drone activity in the region, the role of air defense and electronic warfare in mitigating threats, and the continuous stream of updates issued by the ministry to provide civilian and international audiences with a view of the security situation. Analysts note that battlefield communications from official sources are intended to offer a narrative of control and resilience in Crimea, while observers continue to monitor the broader implications for crisis management, regional stability, and defense posture in the Black Sea area. The events reflect the dynamic nature of aerial operations and the importance of rapid response capabilities in contested zones. Cited statements from the defense ministry and related defense channels form the backbone of the public-facing account of these incidents, even as independent analysts assess the broader strategic context.