Russia has claimed that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed seven Ukrainian missiles over the Kursk region overnight, amid rising tensions along the border.
Russian authorities have reported that their air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed seven Ukrainian missiles over the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov confirmed the attack in a Telegram post on Monday, stating that air defence units repelled the strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces overnight. He did not provide further details on the incident.
In a separate update, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that a total of 23 Ukrainian drones were also downed over Russian territory, although the ministry did not mention any missiles in its statement.
Pro-Russian military analyst Roman Alyokhin, who serves as an advisor to the Kursk governor, described the event as a "massive attack," adding that it was "very loud" and involved numerous missiles. Alyokhin further claimed the missiles were foreign-made, but did not specify which type.
While Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on the incident, the reports could not be independently verified by Reuters. It is also unclear which specific weapons Ukraine used in the strike.
The Kursk region has been a focal point of recent tensions. In August, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the area, but by October, they had lost more than 40% of the territory they had captured, as Russian forces mounted aggressive counterattacks.
Ukraine has recently increased its use of long-range missiles, including US-supplied ATACMS and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, to target deep within Russian territory. In response, Moscow conducted a retaliatory strike on Ukraine using a newly developed hypersonic ballistic missile.
The escalation comes amid heightened military exchanges between the two countries, with both sides continuing to fortify their defences.
Read next
20:32
A missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 2 April has left several casualties and significant damage, with local authorities now investigating the cause and impact of the strike. The attack, which targeted a company in the city, has raised concerns about the ongoing security situation.
17:49
Russia, the world's second-largest oil exporter, on Wednesday imposed restrictions on another major oil export route, suspending a mooring at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk only a day after restricting loadings from a key Caspian pipeline.
17:27
Russia - Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the limited truce agreed last month as a potential stepping stone toward a full ceasefire.
13:09
Foreign Relations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday, as both nations looked to deepen their strategic partnership and navigate rising global tensions through renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.
12:21
RUSSİA-USA
Preparations for the second meeting in Istanbul on the normalisation of bilateral ties between Russia and the United States are underway, said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment