Russia’s military reported early Monday that its air defence units had downed 148 Ukrainian drones over a three-hour period. The strikes caused widespread damage, leaving nearly half a million households without electricity.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that most of the downed 148 drones were intercepted in central and southern regions between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time on Sunday. Officials emphasized that the air defence response was effective in minimizing damage to populated areas.
On Sunday evening, a drone killed a civil defence volunteer in Belgorod, a Russian border region frequently targeted by Ukrainian forces. Other drones struck an apartment building in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Mayor Andrei Kravchenko reported that debris hit a high-rise, but no casualties were confirmed.
In Crimea, the governor of Sevastopol said the city faced four drone attacks throughout the day. Local air defence forces successfully neutralized seven drones, adding to the total downed 148 reported across the country.
Meanwhile, Russian-occupied areas in eastern Ukraine also suffered from Ukrainian attacks. In Donetsk, the Russia-installed local government reported that repair crews had restored power to Donetsk and Makiivka. Earlier, nearly 500,000 households were left without electricity due to strikes on energy infrastructure.
Similar outages occurred in Russian-held parts of Zaporizhzhia region. Emergency crews worked through the night to restore electricity and repair damage caused by the drone attacks. Officials said restoration efforts are ongoing in areas still affected.
The series of drone attacks highlights continued tensions along the Russia-Ukraine frontlines. The Russian military emphasized the success of its air defence systems in countering unmanned aerial threats. Analysts noted that the ability to down 148 drones in a short period reflects improvements in Russia’s integrated air defence capabilities.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to stay cautious as repair crews work on restoring power and clearing debris. Authorities continue to monitor airspace and warn of potential further drone activity in vulnerable regions.
The incident underscores the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilian infrastructure, with energy systems being a primary target in the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.
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