Russia downs 60 Ukrainian drones overnight as infrastructure hit in Rostov

Russian authorities said air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 60 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the night between July 31 and August 1, with drone activity reported across several southern and central regions of the country.

According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence, the drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Rostov, Krasnodar, Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Tula regions, as well as over the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The ministry said the drones were aircraft-type UAVs launched by Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports. 

In the Rostov region, where 12 drones were intercepted, local authorities confirmed material damage in several districts. Acting Governor Yury Slyusar stated that air defence units repelled attacks in Taganrog, Novoshakhtinsk, Myasnikovsky, Rodionovo-Nesvetaysky, Neklinovsky, and Tarasovsky districts.

In Novoshakhtinsk, fragments of a downed UAV shattered windows at a private home on Oktyabrskaya Street, where a large family resides. Another drone part damaged the roof of a house on Baidukova Street. Emergency services were dispatched to both locations.

Further damage was reported in the village of Petrusino in the Neklinovsky district. A private home on Stakhanovskaya Street sustained damage to its outer wall, while a house on Zavodskaya Street caught fire after being hit. Near the Rodionovo-Nesvetayskaya settlement, a grass fire spread over an area of 100 square metres before being extinguished by firefighters.

Slyusar added that the regional government would assist affected families in restoring damaged property. He also urged residents not to approach debris from the drones and to report any sightings to emergency services by calling 112.

By Sabina Mammadli