Russia's air defences intercept 113 Ukrainian drones in overnight strike

Russian air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 113 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight across multiple regions, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

The drones were downed in Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, and Bryansk regions, with Belgorod seeing the highest number of UAV interceptions, Caliber.Az reports citing the message.

Of the 113 drones, 73 were destroyed over Belgorod, 25 over Voronezh, 14 over Kursk, and one over Bryansk. In Belgorod’s Stary Oskol, drone debris injured a woman and damaged several homes, smashing windows and damaging roofs, facades, and fences. Despite the damage, the woman refused hospitalization, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported.

In Voronezh, Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed that the drones were shot down over four municipalities, with no casualties but some damage to household glazing and fences. Similarly, the governors of Kursk and Bryansk reported no injuries or significant damage from the attacks.

In Ukraine, a Russian-guided bomb hit a residential building in Kharkiv, injuring at least 10 people and causing fires. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the attack as a call for more Western aid, drawing parallels to how international coalitions responded to Iranian strikes on Israel.

In another significant development, Ukraine’s military has withdrawn from the eastern town of Vuhledar, marking one of Russia’s key territorial gains in weeks. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that the loss of Vuhledar would not critically impact Ukraine’s logistical capabilities, but Russian forces may now push west toward Velyka Novosilka in Zaporizhzhia.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, fragments from a downed Russian drone damaged an apartment building, though no casualties were reported.

By Tamilla Hasanova