Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defense units were active overnight on February 20, repelling a large-scale drone assault.

According to the ministry, between 23:00 Moscow time on February 19 and 7:00 on February 20, on-duty air defense crews intercepted and destroyed 149 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

The heaviest wave targeted Bryansk Region, where 57 drones were shot down. Another 28 UAVs were eliminated over the Black Sea, and 24 over the Sea of Azov. Air defenses downed 20 drones over the Republic of Crimea and 17 in Krasnodar Region. Two UAVs were neutralized in Rostov Region, and one more in Belgorod Region.

Drone activity had also been recorded earlier the previous day. Between 16:00 and 20:00 Moscow time, air defense forces destroyed 34 additional UAVs, the ministry said. Of those, 12 were downed in Krasnodar Region, 10 over the Sea of Azov, and seven over the Black Sea. Four drones were intercepted in Crimea and one in Belgorod Region.

Later, from 20:00 to 23:00 Moscow time, air defenses shot down another 48 drones. Sixteen UAVs each were reported over Krasnodar Region and Crimea. Seven more were destroyed over the Sea of Azov and six over the Black Sea. Two drones were intercepted in Belgorod Region and one in the Republic of Adygea.