During the night, 47 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over Russia, with the majority falling in the Rostov region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense through its Telegram channel. The ministry reported that on-duty air defense systems were engaged and neutralized a total of 41 drones in Rostov, one in Belgorod, and two in Kursk, along with three in Volgograd.
Aircraft-type drones were cited as the primary platform in this incident, marking a notable instance of a popular UAV model operating against Russian territory. The attack unfolded in two waves over the Rostov region, with the bulk of debris and wreckage discovered over the city of Taganrog and near the Morozovsk area, where a major military airfield is located. Regional authorities confirmed the location specifics while noting that the emergency response teams were on the scene to manage the aftermath.
One person sustained injuries, as reported by regional officials. An emergency worker involved in rescue operations in Taganrog was treated at a hospital, with officials stating that the individual’s condition was not life-threatening. The incident prompted a fire response at the Taganrog Aviation Science Complex named after Beriev, with local emergency services indicating the fire was brought under control rapidly. Wreckage from two additional drones was located near an unnamed metallurgical plant, though officials reported no damage at that site.
Local authorities emphasized that there was no damage to urban infrastructure in Taganrog. Eyewitnesses in Taganrog described explosions in the early morning, noting that the blasts were heard for over an hour and a half. Residents reported the sound of intense blasts and the sight of flashing lights as emergency vehicles moved through the streets. Some testimonies described the moment as frightening, with members of the public sharing vivid impressions on social networks.
Observers noted that the drones seemed to approach from the direction of a nearby bay, a route associated with Beriev facilities located along the riverbank. A number of witnesses described seeing UAVs approach from the sea and circle over the area multiple times before dispersing. Reports also indicated the presence of gunfire and that civil defense warning systems were not functioning at that moment, complicating the initial response for residents and responders alike.
Debris from the drones was found in the streets as residents collected fragments. In the neighboring Kursk region, local authorities urged the public not to touch or approach debris due to possible explosive hazards. One drone was reportedly shot down over Kursk around 2:30 a.m., with debris damaging the roof of a city clinic. Officials stated there were no casualties from the incident, but the hospital took precautionary measures, evacuating patients from the intensive care unit as a precautionary step while ensuring staff and other patients were moved to safety areas.
Damage to the building included a 22 square meter area of the roof, but authorities noted that the clinic remained operational and would continue serving patients. The regional health minister and the Kursk governor participated in a rapid assessment, with inspectors confirming that load-bearing structures remained intact and that repairs to the thermal systems had begun as part of ongoing work to restore full functionality.
In Volgograd, the Gorodishchensky district reported the downing of UAVs, with regional authorities stating that there were no fatalities or structural damages associated with the incident. Meanwhile, Belgorod authorities reported limited information about a drone shot down in their region, while noting that additional strikes had targeted nearby villages. Reports highlighted a prior injury from a bombing the day before in Rozhdestvenskoye, with doctors indicating the patient’s condition was stable and not currently life-threatening.
Images circulated showing a drone wreckage bearing markers and inscriptions. One photograph depicted the Ukrainian UAV marked with a message aimed at a local metallurgical plant in Lipetsk, along with a heart symbol. Analysts and observers pointed to the ongoing nature of the aerial activity in the region and the challenges faced by local emergency and defense services as they respond to rapidly evolving threats. Attribution: Ministry of Defense statements via Telegram channels; regional officials and eyewitness accounts collected in local media coverage.