Russia Intercepts 99 Ukrainian Drones Overnight

By Staff, Agencies

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 99 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight in what the Defense Ministry described as a major escalation in drone warfare.

The interceptions spanned seven regions across western Russia and were carried out between 8:00 pm on May 26 and 7:00 am on May 27, according to a statement released by the ministry on Monday.

"In the period from 20:00 [17:00 GMT] on May 26 to 7:00 [04:00 GMT] on May 27, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 99 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry stated.

The Belgorod region saw the highest number of drones intercepted, with 56 UAVs reportedly downed.

This incident is part of a broader escalation in cross-border drone operations amid rising tensions along the Russia-Ukraine front.

Russian officials have repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of targeting infrastructure and civilian areas with unmanned aerial vehicles, while Kyiv has not commented on this specific operation.

The scale of the drone interceptions suggests intensified use of UAVs as part of Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare strategy, particularly aimed at pressuring logistical and military positions within Russian territory.

Moreover, the Russian Defense Ministry has not reported any casualties or damage resulting from the attempted UAV incursions, and no video or photographic evidence of the interceptions was immediately released.