Moscow’s defense forces successfully thwarted an attempted terrorist attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over various Russian-controlled territories. The incident unfolded on the night of September 20, as the ongoing tensions between the two nations escalate.
In a statement released on Telegram, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian regime had made an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on Russian soil using UAVs. Russian air defense forces swiftly responded to the threat, resulting in the destruction of 19 Ukrainian UAVs over the Black Sea and the Republic of Crimea, along with three more over the bordering regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Oryol. The ministry’s statement was also corroborated by the Russian news agency TASS.
The Kursk and Belgorod regions share borders with eastern Ukraine, while Oryol is in closer proximity to the Russian capital.
Notably, Crimea has frequently been a target of attacks by Kyiv, particularly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The attacks in the region have intensified in recent times, as Kyiv vows to recapture the Black Sea peninsula.
Previously, on August 25, Russia reported downing 42 drones over Crimea as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the region.
Since Ukraine initiated its counter-offensive in early June, Russia has faced a series of drone attacks that have sporadically caused damage to buildings, including in Moscow itself.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-backed governor of Sevastopol, denied that several drones were destroyed in the area of Crimea’s largest city, which is also home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet. He confirmed that air defense measures were in place but were primarily focused on the Crimean zone. In Sevastopol, all services are on high alert, and the air situation is being closely monitored.
Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the Moscow-appointed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, issued a statement on Telegram urging calm among Crimeans. He advised residents to move away from windows if they hear the sounds of a drone flying or air defense systems in action. Kryuchkov also encouraged citizens to report any wreckage of UAVs to special services or hotlines for further investigation.
As tensions in the region persist, both sides remain on high alert, with the situation continuing to evolve.
