Ukrainian drones carried out a large-scale wave of flights toward Vladimir, Pskov and Smolensk throughout March 22 and into the night of March 23, according to Russian sources. Maxim Kondratyev, founder of a drone aviation training center and a member of the Russian Academy of Engineering, said the attacks were launched from northern regions of Ukraine, including the Sumy and Chernigov areas.

Kondratyev indicated that these border regions are likely staging grounds for such operations, adding that Russian forces respond by striking identified launch sites. He noted that the military systematically targets these نقاط, maintaining постоянное pressure on locations used to deploy drones.

He also highlighted the importance of intercepting low-flying UAVs as they cross the border, describing it as a key component of both air defense and electronic warfare tactics. According to him, Russian forces track not only launch positions but also the equipment and personnel involved. Eliminating these elements, he said, can disrupt the entire drone deployment chain.

Kondratyev stressed that Ukrainian units frequently relocate their launch points to avoid detection, constantly shifting positions under the threat of retaliatory strikes.

Residents of Smolensk reported hearing multiple explosions throughout March 22. According to locals, blasts were audible both in the city center and on the outskirts, with several successive detonations occurring during daylight hours.

Overnight, Russian air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 249 Ukrainian drones. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the UAVs were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov, Smolensk, Tver and Tula regions, as well as in the Moscow region and above the waters of the Azov Sea.