Russia claims interception of nearly 5,000 Ukrainian drones

Russia's air defence forces intercepted and destroyed nearly 5,000 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past week, along with dozens of missiles, rockets, and guided bombs, Russian Defence Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said Russian air defence systems shot down 4,975 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 10 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missiles, and three Neptune-MD long-range guided missiles during the reporting period.

"Air defence systems shot down 72 guided aerial bombs, 36 US-made HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles, four Czech-made Vampire multiple-launch rocket system rockets, 10 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missiles, three Neptune-MD long-range guided missiles, as well as 4,975 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

The ministry also reported that Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed six Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels over the course of the week.

By Vafa Guliyeva