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Russia says units intercept 170 Ukrainian drones over four hours

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 8, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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March 8 (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday its air defence units had intercepted 170 drones over various parts of central and southern Russia over a four-hour period, including two

Russia says units intercept 234 Ukrainian drones over nine hours

Summary of Russian Defence Ministry Report

Drone Interceptions Across Central and Southern Russia

March 8 (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that its air defence units had intercepted 234 drones over various parts of central and southern Russia over a nine-hour period, including six drones headed for Moscow.

Casualties and Damage Reported

The ministry reported no damage or casualties over the period extending from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. The governor of the Bryansk region on the Ukrainian border said one farm worker was injured.

Incidents in Donetsk and Surrounding Areas

Attack in Hirnyak, Donetsk Region

The Russia-installed governor of those parts of the eastern Donetsk region under Moscow's control said an attack by the Ukrainian military killed a family of four in the town of Hirnyak near Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian logistics centre long under pressure from Russian forces.

Damage to Civilian Infrastructure

A representative of Russia's Investigative Committee, now working in Russian-held areas of Ukraine, said Ukrainian shelling had damaged a children's clinic in Donetsk, the region's main town.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Porter)

Key Takeaways

  • The 170 drones intercepted between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Moscow time (11:00‑15:00 GMT) mark a higher‑than‑average spike in drone activity, with Bryansk region—bordering Ukraine—seeing the highest volume at 73 drones intercepted. (apnews.com)
  • Two drones were shot down en route to Moscow, as confirmed by the Defence Ministry and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who noted emergency crews were investigating fragments at the crash sites. (apnews.com)
  • This incident underscores the intensifying drone warfare dynamics between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has increasingly relied on interceptor drone technology domestically—such as the Sting loitering munition—to counter Russian drones, which indicates both sides continuously adapting their aerial combat strategies. (en.wikipedia.org)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Ukrainian drones did Russian air defence intercept?
Russian air defence units intercepted 170 Ukrainian drones within a four-hour period.
Were there any casualties or damage reported from the intercepted drones?
No damage or casualties were reported following the drone interceptions.
Which region experienced the highest number of intercepted drones?
The Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine, recorded the highest number with 73 drones intercepted.
How many drones were intercepted near Moscow?
Two drones headed for Moscow were intercepted by Russian air defence units.

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