Russia says it downed 32 Ukrainian drones over 12 hours

MOSCOW — Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over a 12-hour period, according to a statement issued Thursday. The ministry said the operations took place between 08:00 and 20:00 Moscow time. The ministry said the drones were brought down over the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk border regions, as well as over the Republic of Crimea and the Black Sea waters. It did not specify which air defense systems were used or provide details on damage from any drones that may have reached their targets. Russia has regularly published data on intercepted drones amid what it describes as an intensification of Ukrainian aerial strikes against Russian border and interior regions. The ministry's figures on downed drones have not been independently verified. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the claims from Ukrainian authorities. No further details were immediately available.