Moscow: Russia and Ukraine have each claimed to have intercepted dozens of drones overnight, in the latest exchange of aerial attacks in the war that has now entered its fourth year. Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that its air defence systems had downed 103 Ukrainian drones across several regions, with a significant number destroyed over the annexed Crimean Peninsula, the Astrakhan region, and the Black Sea.
According to Qatar News Agency, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that it had shot down 69 out of 82 drones launched by Russia during an overnight assault targeting the country’s north, east, and south. The type of drones used in these attacks was not specified by either side.
Both nations have increasingly relied on drones for reconnaissance and long-range strikes, marking drone warfare as a defining feature of the conflict. Since Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, both sides have consistently claimed successful interceptions and repelled attacks, although independent verification remains challenging due to ongoing hostilities and limited access to frontline areas.