Russian air defenses down 132 Ukrainian drones over several regions

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 132 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over several Russian regions on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Defense.

In a statement, the ministry said that between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm Moscow time, Russian forces shot down the drones across multiple areas, with the highest numbers recorded over Belgorod and Bryansk regions.

“Between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm Moscow time, Russian forces destroyed 132 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones: 46 drones over the Belgorod region, 42 over the Bryansk region, 15 over the Kaluga region, 12 over the Moscow region, seven over the Kursk region, four over the Lipetsk region, two over the Ryazan region, two over the Oryol region, one drone over the Tula region, and one drone over the Republic of Crimea,” the statement said.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raged on for its fourth year, with the prospect of a potential ceasefire still ambiguous.

Russia captures settlements in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv
On Tuesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of two settlements across separate frontlines as ground operations continue to intensify.

The Ministry said troops from its eastern formation had advanced deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions, announcing the takeover of Andreevka, also known as Andriivka, in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

“The units of the Vostok [East] group of forces continued to advance into the depth of the enemy’s defenses and liberated the settlement of Andreevka, Dnepropetrovsk region,” the ministry said.

The claim signals a reported push beyond traditional combat zones in eastern Ukraine, as Dnipropetrovsk borders frontline regions but has largely remained outside sustained ground occupation since the start of the conflict.

In a separate development, Moscow said its northern forces had secured control over Prilipka, also known as Prylipka, in the Kharkiv Oblast, an area that has seen recurring military activity over the course of the war.