Russia said it destroyed multiple Ukrainian drones in its border regions of Bryansk and Belgorod during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, with no casualties reported.
The Russian Defense Ministry said six drones had been shot down in four separate locations over the Bryansk region, which is located around 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
"Air defense systems on duty destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of Bryansk region," it said on the messaging app Telegram.
Bryansk region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said there had been no damage or casualties, adding that "operational and emergency services are working on the scene."
Another drone was destroyed further south over the Belgorod region late Wednesday evening, the Defense Ministry said, noting that the attempted attack had been "thwarted."
Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the drone had been "shot down" over the village of Tulyanka, with no casualties or damage reported.
Since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in early June, Russia has faced mounting waves of drone attacks that have caused damage to buildings and infrastructure, military aircraft, and in some cases, resulted in the deaths of civilians.
Russian officials have sought to downplay their significance.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
