MOSCOW: Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated on Sunday as Moscow reported the downing of Ukrainian drones over four regions, including the capital city, Moscow. Additionally, Russia intercepted two Ukrainian missiles over the Azov Sea, raising concerns about the intensifying conflict between the neighboring countries.
Russia’s defense ministry stated that air defenses successfully destroyed four Ukrainian drones over the territories of Bryansk, Smolensk, and Tula regions. Earlier on Sunday, Moscow reported the downing of some drones over the Moscow region. Simultaneously, the Russian army claimed to have intercepted two Ukrainian missiles over the Azov Sea, which separates the two nations.
“Russian air defense located and destroyed two Ukrainian missiles in the air over the water area of the Azov Sea,” declared Russia’s defense ministry in a statement.
Ukraine Claims Drowning Russian Drones
In response, Ukraine asserted that its air defense had successfully downed eight out of nine drones over the country on the same day. This follows Kyiv’s report of what it labeled the largest drone attack on Ukraine since Russia initiated its offensive in February of the previous year.
On Saturday, Ukraine claimed that Moscow launched 75 drones onto its territory, with a focus on the capital, Kyiv. The drone attack coincided with Ukraine commemorating Holodomor, the Stalin-era famine that claimed the lives of millions in the country.
Ukraine has been using drones to target Russian regions and annexed Crimea for several months, with a summer counter-offensive aimed at pushing back Russian forces. Sunday’s attacks on Russia occurred as Ukraine marked a decade since the Maidan pro-EU revolution, a significant event that strained relations between the two neighbors.
