Russian Defense Statements on April 1 Unmanned Vehicle Attacks and Air Defense Actions
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that an attempted Ukrainian Armed Forces attack on Russian territory using unmanned aerial vehicles was halted on April 1 at 19:30 Moscow time. The ministry noted that on-duty air defense systems stopped six Ukrainian unmanned aircraft over the Black Sea during the incident. The claim suggests a coordinated effort to breach Russian airspace with remotely piloted devices and emphasizes the role of surface-to-air defenses in neutralizing those threats. The Russian side attributes the halt to timely air defense measures and asserts that the operation did not achieve its intended objective. The announcement from the ministry is part of ongoing updates on border security and territorial integrity, reflecting the continuous risk assessment and response framework employed by Russia in the region. Defence authorities maintain that such attempts are detected early and intercepted to prevent any escalation or damage to civilian or military infrastructure. Another element in the day’s reports involves the Belgorod region where air defense systems were active in countering Ukrainian attempts to strike adjacent Russian territory.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that an attack using the RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system, described as an OASZO, targeted Russian territory around Belgorod. The ministry reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched this attack at approximately 18:30 Moscow time. The RM-70 Vampire is cited as the weapon system employed in this operation, and the Russian account frames the incident as a defense action intended to deter incursions near the border. The timing aligns with a series of reported attempts to threaten border regions with precision or area-fire capabilities, and the ministry’s chronology underscores a rapid sequence of events linked to air and artillery defense measures in the border zone.
In another update, the air defense forces of the Russian military were described as having shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the Belgorod region. The ministry stated that earlier on April 1, Russian forces had also stopped a separate Ukrainian attempt to attack Belgorod, with two unmanned aerial vehicles shot down during that engagement. The series of statements points to sustained defensive operations along Russia’s western frontier, including both aerial intercepts and the neutralization of UAV threats before they could impact strategic or civilian targets. The reports reinforce the narrative of vigilant border protection and a persistent deterrent posture in response to cross-border activity.
Separately, there were additional reports of Russian actions against Ukrainian air deployments in the vicinity of Sevastopol. The accounts describe Russian forces engaging Ukrainian aircraft in the airspace near Sevastopol and indicate a broader operational tempo in the region. The Ministry of Defense has framed these developments as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard critical facilities and extend control over contested air and sea spaces in the south and southwest sectors. Observers note that the information from Moscow emphasizes defensive success and the ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats, with further updates expected as the situation evolves.