In a recent overnight clash, both Russia and Ukraine reported downing multiple enemy drones.According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 68 drones and four missiles aimed at Ukrainian territory during the night.
The two Iskander-M ballistic missiles hit the Poltava and Odesa regions, while two Kh-59 guided air missiles struck the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, as detailed by the air forces on the Telegram messaging platform.
Ukrainian air defense units successfully destroyed 31 drones, while 36 remain unaccounted for, likely intercepted by Ukraine’s electronic warfare capabilities, the air force indicated.
On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defense units downed 13 Ukrainian drones overnight across three regions adjacent to Ukraine.
According to the ministry, six drones were downed over both the Belgorod and Kursk regions, with one drone being destroyed in the Bryansk region, as stated on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked yesterday that Russian forces made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions in the Kursk border area, but asserted that Kyiv’s forces were maintaining their defensive lines.
“Concerning the Kursk operation, Russia attempted to push back our positions, but we are holding the designated lines,” President Zelensky stated in his nightly video address.
On Friday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces had reoccupied two villages in the Kursk border region, which Ukrainian troops had initially infiltrated in August.
President Zelensky acknowledged that the Ukrainian push into Kursk was meant to divert Russian forces from frontline positions in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have gained ground in recent months.
In his address, Zelensky noted that in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, partially controlled by Russian forces, “the conditions are extremely challenging, with severe enemy actions. The resilience of our units is vital. It all hinges on our determination.”
On Friday, Russia’s defense ministry announced the capture of Ostrivske, a village on a reservoir near the town of Kurakhove, which is a key objective for Russia’s advance in the Donetsk region.
While Ukraine has not confirmed the loss of the village, military bloggers have reported on Russian progress in the area.
