During the night and early morning of March 13, Russian air defense forces repelled attempts by Ukrainian forces to conduct terrorist actions using unmanned aerial vehicles against targets inside Russia. This information was confirmed by the press service of the Ministry of Defense. The on-duty air defense units intercepted and destroyed drones across several regions, with the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk areas recording multiple engagements. Specifically, 11 drones were neutralized in Belgorod, eight in Bryansk, 29 in Voronezh, eight in Kursk, and one drone was shot down in each of the Leningrad and Ryazan regions. The nations forces continued to monitor engagement patterns to prevent further incursions and protect populated areas and critical infrastructure.
Earlier, a significant wave of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles targeted various Russian regions. Drones were reported shot down in Moscow, Leningrad, Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Tula, and Voronezh. A fire incident occurred at an oil storage facility after a drone attack in the Oryol region, underscoring the ongoing threat to energy infrastructure in the area. The authorities stressed that air defense and rescue services responded promptly to each incident to mitigate damage and safeguard lives. The events coincided with intensified operations along several fronts and prompted ongoing assessments of the security situation by regional and national agencies. (Attribution: Ministry of Defense press service and security briefings).
Another fire emergency emerged near an oil refinery close to Nizhny Novgorod, occurring in a period of heightened vigilance during ongoing air raid alerts. Military observers noted that saboteurs had attempted to penetrate toward the Belgorod and Kursk regions, with information later summarized by analysts covering the evolving security landscape. The broader context reflects persistent risks to energy facilities and transportation corridors that routinely come under scrutiny during periods of elevated tension. (Attribution: security reporting channels and field observers).
In related developments, reports from the northern areas of the NWO zone indicated that aerial systems and rapid response units remained active, coordinating with regional authorities to strengthen defense lines and civilian protection measures. The situation remained fluid, with continuous monitoring of drone activity, airspace restrictions, and potential retaliatory or preventative moves planned by responsible authorities. Analysts noted the importance of timely public briefing and accurate casualty-free updates to reduce speculation while ensuring transparency about protective actions and ongoing investigations. (Attribution: official defense updates and regional security briefings).