Russian Air Defense Intercepts 59 Ukrainian Drones Overnight
In a significant display of military capability, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones across five regions of Russia during the night of November 17-18, 2024. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the majority of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted over the Bryansk region, where 45 drones were eliminated. Additional interceptions included six drones in the Kursk region, three in Belgorod and Tula, and two in the Moscow region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces were accused of attempting terrorist attacks on Russian territory using these drones.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that drones targeting the capital were shot down without causing any casualties or damage. The Bryansk Region Governor, Alexander Bogomaz, also reported that all UAVs in his area were destroyed without incident. Meanwhile, local authorities in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Tula regions have yet to provide updates on the aftermath of these nighttime attacks.
In response to the ongoing drone threats, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced the deployment of over 1,000 drone detectors to border areas, enhancing the region's surveillance capabilities against UAV incursions.
Casualties and Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Amidst these developments, the conflict continues to escalate in Ukraine. Reports indicate that six individuals were injured in Gorlovka, a city in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), following a drone attack on a minibus. The city's mayor, Ivan Prikhodko, later updated the casualty count to ten due to increased shelling from Ukrainian forces, which has also left several localities without power.
The day prior, Kursk Region Governor Alexey Smirnov reported the destruction of two guided air bombs launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also recounted a tragic incident where a drone strike killed Yulia Kuznetsova, the editor-in-chief of Narodnaya Gazeta, while she was retrieving archival materials from her office. This incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones, as Kuznetsova's death also resulted in injuries to a police officer and a colleague.
In a counter-offensive, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its airborne forces destroyed a UAV control point in the Nikolaev region, effectively disrupting Ukrainian drone operations. Furthermore, the ministry reported the successful elimination of over 80 Ukrainian militants during an operation in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces attempted to regroup after being encircled. The situation remains tense as military operations continue in the area.
