Russia downs 73 Ukrainian drones overnight
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Russian air defense systems intercepted 73 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions and the Azov and Black Seas, according to the Defense Ministry.
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In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Office, United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Joseph Keith Kellogg, second left, and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha look at Ukrainian-made drones in Kiev, Ukraine, on July 15, 2025. (Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Office via AP)
Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 73 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in an overnight operation stretching across several regions and maritime zones, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday.
Between 11:00 pm Moscow time on July 17 and 7:00 am on July 18, air defense units targeted drones launched by Ukrainian forces toward various regions, including the capital. According to the ministry, 31 drones were downed over the Bryansk region, 17 over the Oryol region, and 10 in the Moscow region, with three reportedly heading directly toward the city.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defenses neutralized at least one Ukrainian UAV aimed at the capital. In a brief statement, he said: "All emergency services are working at the site of the crash."
Additional drones were intercepted over Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea, as well as the Smolensk, Nizhny Novgorod, Belgorod, Kaluga, and Voronezh regions. No casualties were reported as a result of the drone attack.
Simultaneously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported advances on the battlefield, claiming the capture of Kamianske in the southeastern Zaporozhye region, Dehtiarne in the northeastern Kharkov region, and Popiv Yar in the Donetsk region.
In a humanitarian development, Russia and Ukraine exchanged the bodies of their fallen soldiers, part of a previous agreement reached during the Istanbul peace talks in June. According to a Kremlin aide, 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies were exchanged for 19 Russian troops.
More Western military aid to Ukraine
Amid these escalations, NATO and Western allies continue to supply Ukraine with advanced military equipment. NATO’s top military commander, Alexus Grynkewich, confirmed that additional Patriot air defense systems are being prioritized for Ukraine, even causing delays in their delivery to Switzerland.
Czech-led efforts have also ramped up, with over 850,000 artillery shells, including 320,000 NATO-standard 155mm rounds, delivered so far in 2025, according to Czech Defense Ministry officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also revealed ongoing discussions with US President Donald Trump over a potential agreement involving the purchase of Ukrainian battlefield-tested drones in exchange for US-manufactured arms.
Speaking to parliament, Zelensky said he expects domestically-produced weapons to cover half of Ukraine’s battlefield needs within the next six months, up from the current 40%.
