Russian MoD reports dozens of Ukrainian drones downed overnight
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Russia's Defense Ministry announced that its air defenses shot down 86 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow.
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This photo, taken from a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, shows a view of Sudzha, the biggest town in the Kursk region of Russia, after it was taken over by Russian troops on March 15, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russia's Defense Ministry reported early on Wednesday that its air defense systems repelled a major Ukrainian drone offensive overnight, intercepting a total of 86 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles across various regions. The ministry noted that four of the drones were shot down over the Moscow Region, including two heading directly for the capital.
"During the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 86 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs]," the ministry stated, adding, "four [drones were downed] - over the territory of the Moscow Region, including two UAVs flying toward Moscow."
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed on Telegram that two drones approaching the capital were successfully intercepted by air defense forces.
Escalation and aid
The incident comes amid a dramatic escalation in long-range drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified aerial strikes deep into Russian territory, targeting military bases, airports, and energy infrastructure. One of the largest operations, dubbed "Operation Spiderweb," involved over 100 drones and struck several strategic bomber bases across Russia, reportedly damaging or destroying key aircraft.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is receiving a significant boost in military support from the West. The United States has resumed and expanded arms deliveries after a temporary halt, prioritizing Patriot air defense systems, interceptors, and artillery munitions.
Additionally, European allies have also stepped up; NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that European countries and Canada have already pledged nearly $35 billion in military aid for 2025. Germany, in particular, is working to acquire additional Patriot systems from the US to supply to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly ordered intensified contacts with US officials to accelerate the pace of these deliveries. Concurrently, Ukraine is scaling up its own drone and air-defense production capacities, including joint manufacturing agreements with European countries such as Denmark.
Read more: Trump to give more weapons to Ukraine, censures 'very nice' Putin
The Kremlin has not issued a formal response to the renewed US aid announcement, though a spokesperson earlier remarked that previous pauses were "the best hope for peace." However, key Russian figures like Dmitry Medvedev have condemned the aid packages, accusing the West of pushing Ukraine into unsustainable debt and prolonging the conflict.
With both sides ramping up their use of drones and advanced air defense systems, the conflict continues to shift toward high-tech, long-range engagements, making the airspace over Russia and Ukraine increasingly volatile.
