Ukraine, Russia trade claims of mass drone downing

ISTANBUL

Ukraine’s Armed Forces said Tuesday that its defense systems shot down 120 out of 150 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, while Moscow reported intercepting 13 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, drones were launched from Russia’s Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk regions, as well as from Chauda in Crimea.

“Air defenses shot down or suppressed 120 enemy UAVs in the north, south, east, and center of the country,” it said.

The military added that 30 strike UAVs hit nine locations across Ukraine. Ukrainian forces used aviation, missile units, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups to repel the attack.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense forces destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region overnight.

The overnight strikes came amid intensified drone warfare in recent weeks, with both Kyiv and Moscow stepping up long-range attacks targeting infrastructure and military facilities.