Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 17 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the night of March 10 over three regions of the country, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Most of the drones were shot down over Crimea, where air defense systems eliminated nine UAVs. Another five were neutralized in Belgorod Region, while three more were destroyed in Kursk Region.

The day before, Russian forces had also repelled several waves of drone attacks. On March 9, between 14:00 and 20:00 Moscow time, air defense units downed 21 Ukrainian UAVs. Ten of them were intercepted over Kursk Region, eight over Belgorod Region, and three over Bryansk Region.

Earlier that same day, from 8:00 to 14:00 Moscow time, Russian air defense crews intercepted and destroyed another 15 fixed-wing drones. Seven were shot down over Belgorod Region, four over Novgorod Region, two over Bryansk Region, and one each over Leningrad and Kursk Regions.

According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian formations carry out drone strikes almost daily against both new and border regions of Russia, including civilian infrastructure. In response, the Russian Armed Forces use high-precision air-, sea-, and land-based weapons, as well as drones, targeting what Moscow describes as military facilities and enterprises of Ukraine’s defense industry.