According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, air defense systems repelled attempts by Ukrainian forces to strike targets on Russian territory with aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles. In an official report released through state channels, the ministry said that between 15:00 and 17:00 Moscow time those drone-launch attempts were intercepted and neutralized, described as terrorist actions conducted by the Kiev regime. The briefing framed the incidents as direct efforts to disrupt civilian life and infrastructure, underscoring the vigilance of Russia’s air defense forces as the skies over border regions remained tense. The statement emphasized the operational success of the defense units in preventing any hits inside Russia, without detailing casualties or damage. While regional authorities have monitored drone activity along the border, the ministry’s account centers on reported interceptions and the sustained commitment to border protection on that day.
According to the defense ministry, two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the Kursk region and a third was neutralized in Belgorod. This report underscores the claimed achievement of intercepting multiple drones launched from Ukrainian-held territory and aimed at Russian targets. The ministry characterized these events as part of ongoing efforts to deter drone-based aggression and to protect civilian facilities and infrastructure in border districts. Observers note that such disclosures come amid a broader narrative from Moscow about border security and aerial defense capabilities aimed at countering drone threats in real time.
Further updates from the defense ministry stated that two additional unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down between 13:30 and 14:30 Moscow time, marking another episode in the afternoon’s defense operations. The ministry asserted that these downings represented a continued interdiction of Ukrainian Armed Forces attempts to strike Russian targets, contributing to a broader record of defense activity during the day. The account highlighted rapid responses by air defense units and the ability to identify and destroy threats before they could reach populated or strategic zones.
Air defense forces were also on duty in the Voronezh region, where several unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Ukrainian forces were intercepted. The ministry reported that some of these drones were destroyed, further illustrating the ongoing effort to monitor and neutralize aerial threats in multiple border areas. The reported events emphasize the operational readiness of Russia’s air defense network, which remains focused on preventing incursions and ensuring regional security in near-border airspace.
Previously, Russia announced the creation of a system to protect important facilities from drone attacks, part of a broader initiative to bolster critical infrastructure security against evolving aerial threats. The new measures are framed as a step toward strengthening resilience around key sites, with authorities stressing the importance of continuous monitoring and rapid reaction capabilities. The combination of daily updates on interceptions and protective measures reflects a sustained emphasis on maintaining control over contested border airspace and shielding civilians and critical assets from drone-enabled aggression.