Russia claims downing 39 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Monday claimed that it downed 39 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions.

A statement from the Russian Defense Ministry said that the country’s air defense systems downed 19 of the drones over the Kursk region bordering Ukraine.

The statement further said that nine and five drones were also intercepted over the border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk, respectively.

In both the Leningrad and Voronezh regions, the Russian air defense systems downed three drones, the statement added.

Kursk Governor Alexey Smirnov said on Telegram that falling debris from the drones was recorded in the region’s administrative capital, as well as the Ponyrovsky, Pristensky, Solntsevsky, Sudzhansky and Zolotukhinsky districts.

A road bridge in the Sudzhansky district and power lines in the Solntsevsky district were damaged by the falling debris, Smirnov said.

In the Voronezh region, damage has been reported only in the Ostrogozhsky district based on preliminary information, Governor Aleksandr Gusev said on Telegram.

Local authorities in Belgorod, Bryansk and Leningrad reported no casualties or damages in their respective regions.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia’s claims.