Enemy air defense units successfully brought down 74 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
In a significant development, Russia's military department announced the interception and shooting down of 74 Ukrainian drone aircraft overnight on July 28, 2025. The announcement was made through a statement published on the military department's Telegram channel on July 29.
The interceptions and shootings down occurred over various regions in Russia, including Bryansk, Rostov, Kaluga, Smolensk, and Leningrad. The majority of the downed drones were over the Bryansk region (43), with another 22 neutralized over the Rostov region, one more over the Leningrad region, and six over the Kaluga region. Two drones were shot down over the Smolensk region.
The overnight drone attack on Salsk in the Rostov region disrupted train traffic at the railway station, and unfortunately, resulted in one fatality. However, the announcement did not specify the type or model of the Ukrainian drone aircraft involved, nor did it provide information on any potential casualties or damage caused by the drone aircraft.
This latest incident marks a significant escalation in the scale and intensity of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. The most notable recent event before July 29 was the large-scale Russian offensive on the night of July 20-21, when Russian forces launched over 400 drones towards Ukraine. Despite Ukraine's air defense successfully shooting down most of these drones and missiles, some drones struck civilian and critical infrastructure in several oblasts.
This offensive reflects a dramatic increase in Russian strike packages compared to earlier months in 2025, with June and July seeing much larger attacks than the period from January to May. The drone attacks are part of a broader strategy targeting Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure during intensified hostilities, which continued into August.
Diplomatic efforts have been ongoing simultaneously, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders around late July and August to discuss peace, including a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, these diplomatic moves have so far not reduced the intensity of Russian drone strikes, as Moscow continues launching significant barrages.
In summary, as of late July 2025, Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have escalated markedly in scale and frequency, focused on undermining Ukraine's energy infrastructure and critical sites, despite strong Ukrainian air defense responses and parallel peace negotiation efforts internationally.
- The escalation in Russian missile and drone strikes, such as the recent incident involving the shooting down of 74 Ukrainian drone aircraft, indicates a significant shift in the news landscape surrounding war-and-conflicts.
- The news regarding the dramatic increase in Russian strike packages, as evidenced by the large-scale drone attacks in June and July, should not be overlooked in the general news, as it highlights a shift in the political climate.
