Russia Downs 148 Ukrainian Drones in Three Hours Amid Escalating Attacks and Power Outages

Russia has announced that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 148 drones launched by Ukraine within a span of just three hours, marking one of the largest drone engagements in recent months.

According to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, the interceptions occurred between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday, primarily across central and southern regions of the country. Officials also reported widespread power disruptions linked to the attacks, affecting nearly half a million households, with emergency crews working to restore electricity.

In the border region of Belgorod, a drone strike resulted in the death of a civil defence volunteer. The region has frequently been targeted amid ongoing hostilities.

Meanwhile, in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, local authorities confirmed that drone debris struck a residential high-rise building. Mayor Andrei Kravchenko stated that while damage was reported, there were no immediate details regarding casualties.

In Crimea, the port city of Sevastopol faced multiple drone attacks throughout the day. Local officials said that at least seven drones were shot down during the latest wave.

Further east, in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region, authorities reported significant damage to energy infrastructure. Power outages impacted major cities including Donetsk and Makiivka, though restoration efforts have since resumed.

Similar recovery operations are underway in parts of the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control, where infrastructure damage caused additional blackouts.

The wave of drone attacks highlights the intensifying nature of the conflict, with both sides increasingly targeting strategic infrastructure and urban areas.