“Air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 90 Ukrainian drones overnight without causing casualties,” Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Russia said on Monday (February 17, 2025) its forces downed 90 Ukrainian drones, including dozens over the Sea of Azov, and a Neptune anti-ship cruise missile.
The attack comes at a time when the leaders of the United States and Russia, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, have said they want to hold talks urgently to end the conflict, sparked by Russia’s offensive in Ukraine nearly three years ago.
“During the night, the air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 90 Ukrainian drones without causing casualties,” Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram.
The drones were intercepted in eight regions – 38 over the Sea of Azov, 24 in the southwestern region of Krasnodar and 15 over the Crimean Peninsula.
“Russian forces launched 147 drones during an overnight attack,” Ukrainian military said on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Out of 147, Ukraine’s air force shot down 83 drones and 59 more did not reach their targets likely due to electronic countermeasures.
Mr. Trump has said he believes Mr. Putin genuinely wants to stop fighting in Ukraine, while his administration has warned its NATO allies Europe will no longer be its top security priority.
Published – February 17, 2025 01:17 pm IST