Russian Air Defence Intercepts 635 Ukrainian Drones, Two Killed in Saratov

Russia said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 635 Ukrainian drones during an overnight attack, describing it as one of the largest drone assaults in recent months.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the drones were shot down across more than a dozen regions. In a statement shared on Telegram, the ministry said air defence units successfully intercepted all the unmanned aerial vehicles during the night.

Despite the interceptions, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly killed two people in Russia’s southwestern Saratov region, officials said.

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed the deaths in a Telegram post, saying the victims were killed during what he described as an enemy drone attack. He extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

The Saratov region is located about 750 kilometres (466 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The latest attack comes as both Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange long-range drone strikes amid the ongoing conflict.