Defence Ministry: Russia shoots down over 50 drones over six regions

The Russian Defence Ministry said that at least 58 Ukrainian drones were shot down by air defence systems in six regions at night on March 12 and on March 13 morning.

The drones were shot down in Belgorod (11 drones), Bryansk (8 drones), Voronezh (29 drones), Kursk (8 drones), Ryazan (1 drone) and the Leningrad region (1 drone), according to the Defence Ministry’s message on Telegram.

Oil refineries in the Ryazan and Leningrad regions were also attacked at night. A fire broke out. Several people were injured. Two people were taken to the hospital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The president said that the goals are “demilitarisation” and “denazification” of the neighbouring country, as well as the protection of the civilian population of Donbas from “genocide by Kyiv authorities”. After the outbreak of hostilities, the Ukrainian authorities introduced martial law throughout the country and launched a general mobilisation. The partial mobilisation was announced in Russia in September 2022.