Russian anti-aircraft units have successfully intercepted and destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and the annexed Crimean peninsula, as well as three additional drones in central and southern Russia, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The ministry stated that these actions were in response to an attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime using lethal drones on sites within the Russian Federation. The details of the attack were disclosed in a statement released by the Defence Ministry on the Telegram messaging app. No information regarding casualties or damage was provided.

The three additional drones were reportedly downed over the Kursk, Belgorod, and Orlov regions in central and southern Russia. Notably, Ukrainian forces have been increasing their frequency of attacks on targets in Crimea, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014. Ordinarily, Ukraine refrains from claiming responsibility for such attacks.

However, on Wednesday, the Ukrainian military stated that its forces had struck a Russian Black Sea fleet command post near Sevastopol in Crimea. This ongoing conflict highlights the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the use of drone technology in warfare. The destruction of these drones by Russian anti-aircraft units underscores the importance of advanced defense mechanisms in countering potential threats, particularly those involving unmanned aerial vehicles.