Support The Moscow Times!

Scores of Ukrainian Drones Downed Over Annexed Crimea, Western Russia

Russian air defense systems in annexed Crimea. Russian Defense Ministry

Moscow said Thursday it had downed multiple Ukrainian drones overnight in annexed Crimea and the Black Sea, as well as in parts of western Russia.

"Air defense systems destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and the territory of the Republic of Crimea," the Russian Defense Ministry said on the messaging app Telegram.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Kremlin-installed governor of Sevastopol, denied that several drones were destroyed near the city, which is home to Russia's Black Sea fleet.

"Yes, air defense is working, but in the area of Crimea," he wrote on Telegram, referring to the rest of the peninsula, which is governed separately from the city. 

"In Sevastopol, all services are on alert, and the air situation is being monitored," Razvozhayev added.

Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the Kremlin-installed governor of annexed Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, asked residents "to remain calm." 

"If you hear the sounds of a drone flying by or air defense systems, move away from the windows. Official information will come later," Kryuchkov said on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported three drone attacks had been "thwarted" in the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions, all of which are located in the western part of Russia.

Since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in early June, Russia has faced mounting waves of drone attacks.

Russian officials have sought to downplay their significance.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more