&nbsp;Russia claimed to have downed 402 Ukrainian drones and seven guided aerial bombs within the past 24 hours, according to the Russian Defence Ministry on Monday. Of these, 91 drones were destroyed overnight, mostly over Belgorod and Kursk, with eight intercepted near Moscow.
The drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia launched 101 drones on Sunday night alone and around 1,270 drones and 39 missiles over the past week.
On July 6, six Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow were shot down, said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, adding that while thousands of drones had been launched at the capital in recent months, only a few managed to breach the defences.
Drone attacks have become a central part of the conflict. On July 4, Russia conducted a large-scale aerial strike involving 550 drones and missiles, with Kyiv bearing the brunt. Ukrainian forces intercepted 478 aerial threats, but 63 drones and 9 missiles hit multiple locations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck a Russian-controlled ammunition depot in Khartsyzk (Donetsk), triggering massive explosions, Ukraine&rsquo;s Security Service (SSU) reported.
President Zelensky accused Russia of ramping up aerial strikes, especially on civilian infrastructure, with almost 1,000 glide bombs dropped last week alone.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Russia Downs 402 Ukrainian Drones in Single Day: Defence Ministry

Russian air defences intercept 402 drones and 7 bombs; Kyiv, Moscow regions among targets hit.

Russia Downs 402 Ukrainian Drones in Single Day: Defence Ministry

Russian air defences intercept 402 drones and 7 bombs; Kyiv, Moscow regions among targets hit.

July 8, 2025 | 01:51 IST