MOSCOW, July 19: Russia’s Defence Ministry announced on Sunday that its air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 140 Ukrainian drones during a large-scale overnight operation spanning several regions of the country.
According to the ministry, the drone activity occurred between 8:00 PM Moscow time (5:00 PM GMT) on July 18 and 8:00 AM Moscow time (5:00 AM GMT) on July 19. Officials said the country’s air defence network detected and successfully engaged fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles launched during the period.
The ministry stated that the intercepted drones were brought down over several strategically important regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, and Rostov, along with the Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, and airspace above the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
Russian authorities did not immediately disclose whether the drone attacks caused casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. Emergency and regional officials were expected to assess the affected areas and provide further updates if required.
The latest incident highlights the continued use of long-range unmanned aerial systems in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both sides frequently reporting aerial attacks targeting military and logistical facilities. Border regions and areas surrounding the Black Sea have witnessed repeated drone activity in recent months.
Ukraine has not issued an immediate response regarding Russia’s latest claim. Independent verification of the reported interceptions was not available at the time of publication.
The overnight operation is among the larger drone interception claims made by Russia in recent weeks, reflecting the sustained intensity of aerial engagements despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region.
Officials said Russian air defence units remain on heightened alert as authorities continue to monitor the security situation across the country’s western and southern regions.