Russia says it downed 250 Ukrainian drones in 12 hours

MOSCOW — Russia's Defense Ministry said air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 250 Ukrainian drones during a 12-hour period ending at 8:00 p.m. Moscow time. The ministry said the unmanned aircraft were brought down over the Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kirov, Kursk, Oryol, Ryazan, Samara, Saratov, Tver, Tula and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as the Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of Crimea and the waters of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Russia has repeatedly reported drone incursions into its airspace in recent weeks as it carries out long-range strikes deeper into Ukrainian territory. Kyiv has said its strikes target Russian military and energy infrastructure. The mutual claims by both sides point to the intensifying use of drones on the front lines and beyond as the war enters its fourth year. No independent verification of the figures was immediately available.