Thirteen unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed in Russia on May 4th.

Last night, it seems like the tension between our neighboring regions intensified as air defense forces intercepted a total of 13 drones over Russian territories. 11 of them were downed over the Rostov region, while the Bryansk and Belgorod regions each had one drone taken out. These incidents were confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Now, remember that not too long ago, two apartment buildings were destroyed, and another 93 were damaged in Novorossiysk due to attacks from Ukrainian drones.

Earlier reports suggested that Ukraine had sent at least 50 drones and 25 BECS towards Crimea.

The Ongoing Scuffle

While there might not be a clear evidence of a "massive drone attack against neighboring regions by Ukraine," the current situation gives a glimpse of the ongoing drone-related activities within the context of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. Here's an insightful look at the latest developments and the responses from both sides:

Latest Developments

Ukraine Attacks on Russian Assets: Ukraine has been reportedly taking down Russian aircraft using maritime drones. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency even claimed that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by a missile fired from a sea drone near Novorossiysk. President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced the destruction of another Russian military aircraft within 24 hours, following a strike on a military airfield in occupied Crimea[1].
Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine: Russia has been persistently conducting drone assaults on Ukraine. On May 4, 2025, Russia launched over 165 drones against multiple cities including Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Kharkiv. These drone attacks resulted in substantial damage and injuries across Ukraine[2][5]. In the city of Kharkiv, a previous drone strike left 47 people wounded, emphasizing the severity of these attacks[5].
Ukrainian Drones Over Russian Territory: There were rumors of Ukrainian drones being shot down over Murmansk by the Russian Defence Ministry. This suggests that cross-border drone activity is still ongoing[3].

Responses

Ukraine's Response: President Volodymyr Zelensky has celebrated Ukraine's military capabilities and emphasized the necessity of stronger international support, particularly in strengthening air defense systems. He has also stressed the importance of decisive actions from Ukraine's allies[5].
Russia's Response: In response, the Russian Defence Ministry has reported intercepting Ukrainian drones, indicating an active defense against such incursions. Russia continues to conduct drone assaults on Ukraine, which have been widely criticized by international observers[3][5].

Overall, both countries are deeply immersed in a significant drone war. Ukraine is showing off its militaristic prowess while Russia continues to employ drones as weapons to attack Ukrainian cities. International responses have underscored the urgency for stronger support for Ukraine in countering these threats.

[1] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/03/17/ukraine-claims-it-shot-down-a-russian- fighter-jet-with-a-suitcase-sized-drone-off-nato-ports-on-the-black-sea/

[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-denies-launching-drone-attacks-ukraine-2025-05-04/

[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61534765

[4] https://nypost.com/2023/05/05/massive-drone-attack-on-ukrainian-city- destroyed-or- disabled-90-aircraft-military-says/

[5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/05/ukraine-russia-crimea- conflicts/

The latest developments show that Ukraine has been taking down Russian aircraft using maritime drones, and a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was reportedly destroyed by a missile fired from a sea drone near Novorossiysk.
Russia has been persistently conducting drone assaults on Ukrainian cities, such as Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Kharkiv, resulting in substantial damage and injuries.
There were rumors of Ukrainian drones being shot down over Murmansk, suggesting that cross-border drone activity is still ongoing.
In response to the ongoing drone activities, President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the necessity of stronger international support and a need for stronger air defense systems.
The Russian Defence Ministry, in turn, has reported intercepting Ukrainian drones and continues to conduct drone assaults on Ukraine, which have been widely criticized by international observers.