Russia reports targeted air defense actions against Ukrainian drones and aircraft
Russian air defense units on duty claim they intercepted and destroyed two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during nighttime operations over the Belgorod and Rostov regions. The update was conveyed through a Telegram channel affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, which often serves as a primary channel for disseminating such claims to the public.
Officials described the incident as a Ukrainian attempt to execute a terrorist act, noting that a drone of the aircraft type was used in the operation. The report emphasizes the operator’s choice of an aerial platform and frames the action as a deliberate strike against Russian territory.
In a separate daily briefing, the ministry stated that Russian air defenses had shot down two Su-24 aircraft and intercepted five HIMARS projectiles attributed to the Ukrainian Armed Forces within a single day. These details are presented as part of a broader narrative of intensified air defense operations.
Throughout the day, claims were made that 24 Ukrainian unmanned systems were brought down in multiple locations across the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, including Tokarevka, Kremennaya, Svatovo, Lisichansk, Gorlovka, Aleksandrovka, and Staromikhailovka. The statements illustrate the scale of the reported air activity and the claimed effectiveness of the corresponding air defense measures.
On December 25, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that Ukrainian forces conducted more than 70 bombardments in the area during the day. He described the attacks as widespread but said they did not cause casualties or significant material damage. The governor’s account reflects an assessment of the day’s events from local authorities in a border region that has frequently experienced cross-border fire and security concerns.
A former advisor to a former Ukrainian president commented on the operational capacity of Kiev’s air defense systems, suggesting that Kyiv’s defenses are operating near their limits. The remark underscores ongoing debates about the effectiveness and resilience of Ukrainian air defense capabilities amid continued regional tensions.