A precautionary regime has been declared in Kursk amid concerns about a potential drone strike. This alert was announced by the regional head, Roman Starovoyt, via a Telegram channel update. Authorities urged residents to stay vigilant as air defense units and support vehicles are stationed and prepared to counter any hostile action at short notice.
During the overnight hours on March 23, Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out an attack on the Belgorod region. In response, the regional air defense system engaged multiple aerial targets while tracking the trajectory of the incoming threat. Later reports from Vyacheslav Gladkov, the region’s head, indicated that a drone attack targeted a business in the Stary Oskol urban district, underscoring the ongoing risk to civilian infrastructure.
Earlier, on the evening of March 22, the village of Sergeevka in Kursk faced shelling but there were no injuries reported. The sequence of drone and missile incidents in the border areas has raised persistent concerns about regional security and civilian safety, prompting authorities to heighten readiness and surveillance along the frontiers.
Drone activity across Russia began increasing in 2022, concurrent with the broader military operation in Ukraine. While Kyiv has not issued official confirmation of responsibility, statements from senior Ukrainian officials in 2023 suggested that the tempo of UAV strikes against Russia would rise as the conflict continued, highlighting a shift in the aerial dimension of the confrontation.
Notably, in May of the prior year, a drone incident affected the Kremlin’s Senate Palace, and earlier episodes saw UAVs crashing in Moscow’s city business districts. The border regions of Bryansk, Belgorod, and Kursk, along with the Republic of Crimea, have repeatedly been cited as frequent targets. In late August, reports described drones targeting Pskov airport, with resulting damage to a military transport aircraft nearby. These events illustrate the evolving nature of aerial threats and the tensions surrounding major logistical and administrative centers.
Statements from Ukrainian military leadership in recent months have pointed to advantages in FPV drone operations for Russian forces, signaling an ongoing strategic dimension to the use of unmanned systems in the combat environment. The pattern of incidents underscores the importance of robust early warning, rapid response, and community preparedness in affected regions. [Citation: Regional security updates and official briefings on drone activity in border areas]