Ukraine, Russia Exchange Drone Attacks

(MENAFN) Both Ukraine and Russia announced on Thursday that they had successfully fended off extensive drone assaults during the night.

Ukrainian authorities stated that 88 out of 104 enemy UAVs were neutralized, while Russian officials declared that 81 drones launched by Ukraine had been intercepted across various territories.

In a message on Telegram, Ukraine’s Air Force revealed that Russia had deployed a total of 104 drones, including Shahed-type models, from 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) into the early hours of Thursday.

These UAVs were directed toward the northern, eastern, southern, and central regions of the country.

According to the statement, “40 were shot down by fire weapons, and 48 were lost or suppressed by electronic warfare,” while six locations were successfully struck by Russian UAVs.

Ukrainian military sources claimed the drone barrage was launched from a mix of Russian and occupied Crimean bases, citing sites such as Millerovo, Kursk, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Chauda.

At the same time, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defense units had taken down 81 Ukrainian drones from 9:20 p.m. to 6:40 a.m. (1820 GMT to 0340 GMT), spanning 11 different regions, from Bryansk to Moscow.

“Nineteen UAVs were shot down in Bryansk, 17 in Kursk, and 13 in Smolensk,” according to the ministry.

Local officials in Russia stated there were no casualties or destruction as a result of the attacks.

This overnight drone exchange stands out as one of the most significant mutual UAV operations in recent months, reflecting the escalating intensity of aerial warfare between the two nations.

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