Russia claims to have shot down 85 Ukrainian drones; Damage to 2 residential buildings is reported

On January 11, the Ministry of Defense of Russia announced that during the day, air defense intercepted or destroyed 85 Ukrainian drones that were flying into the territory of Russia.

In one of the regions claimed by Moscow, it successfully opposed a Ukrainian drone attack, local authorities said that a drone crashed into two five-story buildings in Kotovsk on the west Russia. According to Yevhen Pervyshov, the governor of the Tambov region, three people were slightly injured by the broken glass.

Kyiv Independent could not independently verify all statements.

Using its homemade drones, Ukraine has targeted military facilities, airfields and oil refineries deep in Russia to counter a much larger enemy in an attempt to disrupt rear logistics. The Ukrainian side rarely discloses information about its attacks in Russia, which makes it difficult to assess the scale of the attacks.

Footage purportedly showing the aftermath of a drone crash on a residential building in Kotovsk, Tambov Region, Russia, on the night of January 11, 2025. (Astra/Telegram)

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that 31 drones were destroyed over the Black Sea, 16 over the Voronezh Region and Krasnodar Territory, 14 over the Sea of Azov, four over the Belgorod Region, two over the Tambov Region, one over the Kursk Region, one over Russia. occupied the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.

Intense attacks by long-range Ukrainian drones during 2024 showed the vulnerability of Russian air defense.

“From what we can tell — it’s no longer a secret — Ukrainian long-range unmanned aerial vehicles can hypothetically operate at a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers,” Andriy Yusov, spokesman for the Military Intelligence of Ukraine (MRI), said on December 27, 2024.

In turn, Russia regularly bombards Ukrainian cities, villages and infrastructure with drones and missiles, which often results in civilian casualties. Over the past day, two civilians were killed, 12 were injured. This was announced by the Ukrainian authorities.