Russia downs 15 Ukrainian drones over Kursk, Sea of Azov

Russian air defences downed 15 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight across the Kursk region and the Sea of Azov, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

"During the night of June 30, air defence systems on duty destroyed 15 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles – 10 over the territory of the Kursk region and 5 over the waters of the Sea of Azov," Caliber.Az quotes the ministry as saying per Russian media.

Ukrainian drone attacks against targets inside Russia have intensified throughout June.

Thus, the most high-profile operation came on June 1, when Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency launched over 100 drones at five Russian airbases in a single night. 

The coordinated assault, known as “Operation Spiderweb,” reportedly damaged or destroyed dozens of military aircraft, including long-range bombers. Ukrainian officials claim up to $7 billion in losses, though Western assessments suggest slightly lower figures.

Strikes have continued in the weeks since. On June 24, a Ukrainian drone hit a residential tower near Moscow, injuring two. 

Days later, attacks targeted the Marinovka airbase in Volgograd and the Kirovske base in occupied Crimea. Kyiv says several fighter jets, helicopters, and air defence systems were destroyed.

By Aghakazim Guliyev