Early on the morning of January 18, a security notice was issued about the so called Carpet plan being implemented on the grounds of Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg. Local officials confirmed to TASS that the airport temporarily reduced its activity, which led to a delay in the Yerevan flight, though normal operations were restored later in the day. The situation illustrated how security measures can influence air traffic even when immediate disruption is temporary and localized.
Earlier that day a drone had been intercepted within the Leningrad region. Officials indicated that this marked the first drone interception in the area since the start of the special military operation, highlighting a period of heightened aerial surveillance and defense measures along regional borders. The event underscored the ongoing emphasis on counter-drone capabilities and the shifting risk landscape for northern airspace in this phase of the conflict.
On the same morning, Belgorod and the surrounding district reported active air defense operations. Local authorities stated that ten missiles were neutralized over the city and its environs, signaling continued pressure from aerial threats in border areas and the importance of rapid defensive responses to protect civilian populations and critical infrastructure. The incident exemplified how regional hubs remain under close watch as defensive systems respond to a range of possible threats in real time.
Earlier in the week, explosions were recorded in several microdistricts of Voronezh, with Ukrainian forces launching unmanned aerial vehicles toward the regional center. The ensuing coverage has centered on the underlying questions some readers pose about why such raids appear more frequent, the potential trajectory of these actions, and how the Russian authorities plan to respond. Military observers have explained these dynamics by pointing to strategic goals, the evolving battlefield environment, and the broader pattern of security operations that aim to disrupt enemy reconnaissance and supply chains over urban zones.
In response to the sustained drone activity and missile threats, Russia has continued to advance a new drone suppression strategy. This approach includes upgraded sensor networks, refined interception protocols, and the integration of multi-layered defense mechanisms designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile unmanned systems before they reach critical targets. The development reflects a broader push to strengthen civilian resilience, protect key infrastructure, and maintain safer skies for regional economies that rely on stable air and ground logistics during periods of heightened tension.