On December 8, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 46 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attempting to attack various targets within Russian territory. The Ministry of Defense reported that these actions took place across five regions, including Belgorod, Kursk, Rostov, Voronezh, and Astrakhan. The interceptions were largely attributed to electronic warfare capabilities, particularly noted in the Novoshakhtinsk area of Rostov Region.
The attacks resulted in some collateral damage; in Voronezh, a fire broke out at an industrial facility due to a falling drone, although it was quickly extinguished with no reported casualties. Additionally, residents in Kursk reported loud explosions, indicating the intensity of the drone interceptions. This incident follows a previous attack on December 6, where 33 Ukrainian UAVs were also shot down.
Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, have condemned the Ukrainian government, labeling it as a 'terrorist state' and accusing it of targeting civilians. Zakharova highlighted several incidents where Ukrainian attacks resulted in civilian casualties, emphasizing the ongoing conflict's toll on both military and non-military targets.
