Russia Says Over 600 Ukrainian Drones Intercepted in One of Largest Barrages of the War
MOSCOW — June 26, 2026 — Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday, June 25, that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed more than 600 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions over the past 24 hours, in one of Kyiv’s largest aerial barrages since the war began.
The ministry said it “neutralized” 613 unmanned aerial vehicles, mostly targeting territory along Russia’s western border, as well as the Black Sea coast, the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula, and the Bryansk region, where a drone struck the regional administration building .
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According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air defenses shot down:
- 193 drones over the Belgorod region
- 160 over the Bryansk region
- 104 over the Voronezh region
- 76 over the Kursk region
- The remaining UAVs were intercepted over other southern and western regions, including Rostov, Tver, Oryol, and Smolensk, as well as Crimea and the Black Sea .
Attacks Across Multiple Regions
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia have continued throughout the week. On Wednesday, Ukraine launched what appeared to be its largest drone attack on Russia since February, striking Moscow region governor’s office and the government building of the Belgorod region .
The Bryansk regional administration building in the city of Bryansk was hit by a drone on Thursday, Russian governor Alexander Bogomaz said . He also reported multiple attacks on the region, including a drone strike on a fuel depot in the Bryansk district and explosions at a transformer station in the Klintsovsky district .
On Tuesday, June 23, the Nizhny Novgorod region was also targeted, with regional governor Gleb Nikitin reporting attacks on Kstovo, Dzerzhinsk, Bor, and the region’s administrative center .
Ukraine’s Long-Range Strike Capability
Kyiv has invested heavily in domestically-produced long-range drones that can reach targets deep within Russia . Analysts believe Ukraine is seeking to put constant pressure on Russian air defense systems and degrade its ability to protect key military and industrial sites .
Russian Casualties and Military Aid Announcement
Russian officials reported that Ukraine’s drone attacks killed at least five people this week, including a 16-year-old girl killed by shrapnel on Thursday in a village in the Belgorod region near the border .
The massive Ukrainian drone barrages come as the United States announced a new $3.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Friday, June 26, to support Kyiv’s fight against Russian forces . The package will include artillery, air defense systems, armored vehicles, and other weapons .
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As of Thursday evening, Russia’s military continued to report ongoing air defense operations along the border and in occupied Crimea, as Ukraine shows no signs of slowing its long-range strike campaign aimed at weakening Russia’s war effort and supply lines .
SOURCES / INPUTS
- The Moscow Times: Ukraine Hits Russia’s Bryansk With Massive Drone Barrage
- Business Standard: Russia downs 600 drones in ‘most massive’ attack by Ukraine
- BNO News: Russia says it shot down over 600 drones in massive Ukrainian assault
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