Russia reports downing of 26 Ukrainian drones overnight

Russia’s Defence Ministry has reported that air-defence systems intercepted and destroyed 26 fixed-wing drones over the Belgorod region during the night of December 2 to 3.

An additional 22 UAVs were downed over the Bryansk region, 21 over the Kursk region, 16 over the Rostov region, seven over the Astrakhan region, six over the Saratov region, and four over the Voronezh region, Caliber.Az cites the ministry's Telegram channel.

Over recent weeks, the United States has led renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine by proposing a peace plan. The original draft contained 28 points. Following negotiations in Geneva between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, the plan was trimmed from 28 to 19 points, after Kyiv and European allies rejected several controversial provisions. The most sensitive issues — notably territorial concessions and restrictions on Ukraine’s military or NATO aspirations — have reportedly been deferred for face-to-face talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald J. Trump. 

According to a joint U.S.–Ukraine statement, the revised plan includes core elements of a cease-fire framework and security guarantees for Ukraine. Despite progress in U.S.–Ukraine talks, Russia has not publicly committed to the revised proposal. Kremlin officials say Moscow has not yet received the updated document, and Russia remains cautious about what it considers foreign interference. The diplomatic push continues: U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner have travelled to Moscow to present the revised plan to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russian consideration, indicating that Washington is seeking a direct U.S.–Russia agreement to end hostilities.

By Khagan Isayev