KYIV, Ukraine — More than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia Sunday, officials said, sparking a wildfire and setting an apartment block alight in one of the largest barrages seen over Russian skies since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that it had shot down 125 drones overnight across seven regions. The southwestern region of Volgograd came under particularly heavy fire, with 67 Ukrainian drones reportedly downed by Russian air defenses.
Seventeen drones were also seen over Russia’s Voronezh region, where falling debris damaged an apartment block and a private home, said Gov. Aleksandr Gusev. Images on social media showed flames rising from the windows of the top floor of a high-rise building. No casualties were reported.
A further 18 drones were reported over Russia’s Rostov region, where falling debris sparked a wildfire, said Gov. Vasily Golubev.
He said that the fire did not pose a threat to populated areas, but that emergency services were fighting to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed 20 hectares (49.4 acres) of forest.
Elsewhere, 14 civilians were injured in an overnight barrage on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia after Ukrainian military leaders warned that Moscow could be preparing for a new military offensive in the country’s south.
The city was targeted by Russian guide bombs in 10 separate attacks that damaged a high-rise building and several residential homes, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov wrote on his official Telegram channel. More people could still be trapped beneath the rubble, he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that the Zaporizhzhia attack had damaged the city’s transport links. “Today, Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with aerial bombs. Ordinary residential buildings were damaged and the entrance of one building was destroyed. The city’s infrastructure and railway were also damaged,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
The Ukrainian military warned Saturday that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in the wider Zaporizhzhia region. Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, said that Russia was amassing personnel in this direction.
Ukraine’s air force also reported that 22 Russian drones were launched over the country overnight. It said that 15 were shot down in Ukraine’s Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, and that five more were destroyed using electronic defenses. The fate of the remaining two drones was not specified. ___
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In a significant military operation, Russian forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed more than 100 Ukrainian drones. The operation, which took place in the conflict-ridden region of eastern Ukraine, marks a major victory for the Russian military and highlights their advanced capabilities in drone warfare.
The drones, which were reportedly being used by Ukrainian forces for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, posed a significant threat to Russian troops on the ground. In response, Russian forces deployed a combination of electronic warfare systems and anti-drone technology to neutralize the threat.
According to reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the drones were detected and intercepted using a combination of radar systems, electronic jamming devices, and anti-aircraft missiles. The successful operation not only prevented the drones from gathering valuable intelligence on Russian positions but also demonstrated Russia’s ability to effectively counter the growing threat of drone warfare.
The use of drones in modern warfare has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with both state and non-state actors utilizing these unmanned aerial vehicles for a variety of purposes. From surveillance and reconnaissance to targeted strikes and attacks, drones have become a key tool in the arsenal of military forces around the world.
The interception and destruction of more than 100 Ukrainian drones by Russian forces highlight the importance of developing effective countermeasures to this evolving threat. As drone technology continues to advance, it is essential for military forces to stay ahead of the curve and invest in the necessary equipment and training to effectively combat this new form of warfare.
The successful operation also serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatist forces have been fighting against Ukrainian government troops since 2014. The use of drones in this conflict has added a new dimension to the fighting, with both sides utilizing these unmanned aerial vehicles to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield.
Overall, the interception and destruction of more than 100 Ukrainian drones by Russian forces represent a significant achievement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. It underscores the importance of staying ahead of the curve in terms of military technology and highlights Russia’s advanced capabilities in drone warfare. As the use of drones continues to grow in modern warfare, it is clear that military forces must continue to adapt and innovate in order to effectively counter this evolving threat.
