09:59 21-05-2026

Russia Reports 121 Ukrainian Drones Downed Overnight

Zеlеnskiу / Оfficiаl / Telegram

Russian air defenses downed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, as casualties were reported in Belgorod and Samara and fires were put out in Rostov Region.

Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 121 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight on May 21, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The attack lasted from 8:00 p.m. Moscow time on May 20 until 7:00 a.m. on May 21.

The drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, Samara and Saratov regions, as well as over Kalmykia, Crimea and the Caspian Sea. Earlier on May 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time, air defense units also intercepted and destroyed 106 Ukrainian drones.

In the Belgorod Region, authorities recorded 107 attacks by Ukrainian forces over the past 24 hours. Acting governor Alexander Shuvayev said strikes hit the Alexeyevsky, Belgorodsky, Borisovsky, Valuysky, Volokonovsky, Grayvoronsky, Krasnoyaruzhsky, Novooskolsky, Rakityansky, Rovensky and Shebekinsky districts.

Eight people were injured in the attacks, one of whom was hospitalized. Shuvayev said doctors were providing all necessary care and that he was personally monitoring each case. A man who had been injured on May 18 after triggering an explosive device in the Shebekinsky District later died in hospital. The acting governor expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.

In the Samara Region, the city of Syzran came under a drone attack. Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said two people were killed. Others were injured and are receiving medical assistance. The regional head also offered condolences to the families of those who died.

In the Voronezh Region, air defense forces detected and destroyed seven drones overnight. Governor Alexander Gusev said the drones were shot down over one urban district and three municipal districts. According to preliminary data, there were no casualties or damage.

In the Rostov Region, Governor Yury Slyusar said more than 30 drones were destroyed while repelling an air attack. The UAVs were downed in five districts: Chertkovsky, Millerovsky, Tarasovsky, Bokovsky and Sholokhovsky. In the Sholokhovsky District, falling drone debris sparked two forest fires in the Veshensky forestry area. Both fires were extinguished.