Ukrainian Attacks Ravage Russian Regions as Defense Ministry Reports Dozens of Drones Shot Down

Six civilians have been killed in overnight Ukrainian attacks on the Russian regions of Belgorod and Kherson, officials have said. The Russian Defense Ministry has also reported intercepting over 50 drones throughout the night across multiple regions.

In Belgorod Region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two men and a young woman died after the village of Maslova Pristan came under attack late on Tuesday night. “My most sincere and deepest condolences to the families struck by such terrible grief,” he wrote on Telegram.

According to Gladkov, nine women have also been injured, four of whom suffered multiple shrapnel wounds. Seven people have been taken to hospitals in Belgorod, while others were treated at the scene or remain under observation at local facilities.

The strikes partially destroyed a social facility and damaged two apartment buildings, tearing off roofs and shattering windows, balconies, and facades. Five vehicles were hit by shrapnel. Local residents reportedly managed to avoid further casualties after an air-raid warning sounded before the impact.

In Russia’s Kherson Region, Governor Vladimir Saldo said three civilians had been killed after two temporary housing buildings caught fire in the village of Zhelezny Port following Ukrainian shelling. He added that a medical vehicle was damaged in the settlement of Gornostayevka, although no one was hurt, while a private home in Novaya Kakhovka caught fire but has since been extinguished.

The Russian Defense Ministry said air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 53 Ukrainian drones overnight between 11pm and 7am Moscow time. Of these, 28 were shot down over Belgorod Region, 11 over Voronezh, and several more across Rostov, Bryansk, and other western regions.

The Ukrainian military leadership’s reckless drone raids have targeted Russian regions, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Russian officials have accused Ukraine of “terrorism,” and Moscow has responded with strikes on the country’s military facilities.