Russian air defense forces reported the destruction of five unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine during incidents over the Belgorod and Saratov regions. Officials from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed these interceptions, detailing the sequence of events as drones attempted to strike targets within Russian territory. In one episode, a UAV was shot down over Belgorod, while the remaining four were brought down in the Saratov region.
Following these events, the governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, disclosed that a Ukrainian drone was neutralized over the Engels city area. He stated that there were no casualties and no damage to infrastructure as a result of the incident. The claim underscored the ongoing tension along the border and the continued use of drones in attempts to disrupt facilities in southern and central Russia.
Additionally, Russian defense authorities reported another engagement on the evening of March 19, noting that air defense forces in the Kursk region intercepted a drone operation. A surface-to-air missile, described as an S-200, was reportedly repurposed to strike ground targets in the vicinity, and a Patriot system missile reportedly neutralized during the same timeframe within the Belgorod region. These details reflect the multi-layered nature of Russia’s air defense posture and its capacity to adapt existing assets to evolving threats.
Earlier in the year, Russian designers introduced an anti-drone device known as Stepashka, a development described by officials as part of ongoing efforts to bolster counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities. The unveiling signals an emphasis on flexible, on-demand response tools designed to counter small, fast-moving aerial threats without relying solely on traditional air defense platforms.