Published: 11:32, May 3, 2026
Russia downs 146 drones in 6 hours, says defense ministry
By Xinhua

In this file photo dated June 24, 2025, fragments of a fallen Ukrainian drone lie on the ground in Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow, Russia. (PHOTO/MOSCOW NEWS AGENCY VIA AP)

MOSCOW - Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 146 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions in six hours on Saturday afternoon, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The drones were downed between 2 pm and 8 pm Moscow time (1100-1700 GMT) across 12 regions, including the Moscow region, according to the ministry.

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Earlier in the day, the ministry said air defenses shot down another 123 drones over 13 regions, also including the Moscow region, from 8 am to 2 pm Moscow time.