Russian Defence Downs 125 Ukrainian Drones Amid Increased Hostilities

The Russian defence ministry reported intercepting 125 Ukrainian drones overnight. Amid ongoing conflict, Kyiv has intensified drone attacks deep into Russian territory, including the regions of Volgograd, Belgorod, and Voronezh. A residential apartment in Voronezh was hit, causing a fire. Reports of casualties include one death in Shebekino.

The Russian defence ministry announced on Sunday that air defence systems downed 125 Ukrainian drones overnight, while a residential apartment in the western city of Voronezh was struck, according to local governor Alexander Gusev.

Governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported one man dead and eight civilians injured in the Shebekino border town due to drone and shelling attacks over the past 24 hours.

As Russia advances in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has escalated its counterattacks, targeting Russia's western Kursk region with cross-border strikes since August 6, and conducting increasingly large-scale drone incursions into Russian territories. The defence ministry noted that 67 drones were intercepted over the southern Volgograd region, and 17 each over Belgorod and Voronezh regions, with 18 downed over Rostov.

Alexander Gusev stated on Telegram that a falling drone ignited a fire in a residential complex in Voronezh. The blaze was contained without injuries, according to initial reports. The Mash Telegram channel shared a video purportedly showing the fire engulfing the top floor of a high-rise building. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.

(With inputs from agencies.)