Russian military forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 93 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight across three regions, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported on Wednesday.

The large-scale drone assault targeted Russian border areas, with the majority of the UAVs—87 in total—shot down over the Kursk region. Four drones were neutralized over Rostov, and two were destroyed above Belgorod, signaling a significant uptick in aerial threats near Russia’s western frontier.

In the Kursk region, Governor Alexander Khinshtein confirmed that the drone attacks caused damage to civilian infrastructure. An apartment building in central Kursk was struck, though no fatalities were reported. “The situation remains under control, and emergency services are responding,” Khinshtein said in a statement. The incident has heightened local concerns about the growing reach of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, across the border in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, shelling rocked the Kholodnohirskyi district overnight. The barrage damaged an industrial zone and approximately 20 residential homes, leaving at least eight people injured. Among the casualties were children and an infant, according to local authorities. Emergency crews are working to assess the full extent of the destruction as residents brace for further attacks.

The overnight drone interceptions and retaliatory strikes highlight the intensifying hostilities along the Russia-Ukraine border. Russian defense officials described the operation as a critical success in safeguarding national airspace, vowing to maintain heightened vigilance against future incursions. “Our forces are fully prepared to counter these threats,” the Ministry of Defense stated.

Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the downed drones or their origin, though the pattern of cross-border strikes suggests a tit-for-tat escalation between the two nations. Civilians on both sides are increasingly bearing the brunt of the conflict, with residential areas and infrastructure caught in the crossfire.

The surge in drone activity and shelling comes amid a broader escalation of military operations, raising fears of a prolonged and widening confrontation. Analysts warn that the situation could spiral further if diplomatic efforts fail to curb the violence. For now, the Russian military remains on high alert, and the people of Kursk, Rostov, Belgorod, and Kharkiv face an uncertain and perilous future as the conflict shows no signs of abating. (ILKHA)