Russian Air Defense Intercepts Dozens of Ukrainian Drones Across Regions
Russian air defense forces intercepted 89 Ukrainian drones overnight, with most shot down over Crimea, Rostov, Oryol and other regions, the Defense Ministry said.
Russian air defense units reported intercepting a series of Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over several regions during the night of January 13.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Moscow time, air defense systems destroyed a total of 11 unmanned aerial vehicles. The heaviest activity was recorded in Rostov Region, where seven drones were shot down. One UAV was intercepted over each of Belgorod, Kursk, and Oryol Regions, as well as over the territory of the Republic of Crimea.
The ministry also outlined a much larger wave of drone interceptions earlier the same evening. Between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on January 12, air defense crews neutralized 78 Ukrainian drones. Crimea accounted for the largest share, with 36 UAVs destroyed over the peninsula. Fourteen drones were intercepted over Oryol Region, while eight were downed in Lipetsk Region.
Air defense activity extended beyond land areas as well. Six drones were intercepted over the waters of the Sea of Azov and another six over the Black Sea. Additional UAVs were destroyed over Tula Region, where four were shot down, and over Bryansk Region, which saw two interceptions. Single drones were also neutralized over Voronezh and Rostov Regions.