Russia Claims It Shot Down More Than 660 Ukrainian Drones As Moscow Rejects Reports Of Seeking Belarus’ Military Assistance

Russia says it has intercepted more than 660 Ukrainian drones in what officials describe as one of the largest drone attacks since the war began, while simultaneously rejecting reports that it is trying to draw neighbouring Belarus more directly into the conflict.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, air defence systems destroyed or intercepted the drones across multiple regions, including areas surrounding Moscow, Crimea and western Russia. If confirmed, the attack would surpass previous large-scale Ukrainian drone operations and reflects Kyiv’s growing ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

The large-scale assault comes as Ukraine continues to expand its long-range drone campaign. Over the past year, Kyiv has increasingly targeted military airfields, fuel depots, energy facilities and logistics hubs inside Russia, arguing that such strikes are aimed at weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain its invasion. The strategy has become a central part of Ukraine’s defence as the war enters its fifth year.

At the same time, the Kremlin has strongly denied reports that it is pressuring Belarus to widen its involvement in the war. The denial followed claims that Moscow wanted Minsk to play a more active military role. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the reports, insisting Russia was not seeking to pull its closest ally deeper into the conflict.

Belarus has been one of Russia’s most important allies since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Although Belarus has allowed Russian troops to use its territory, hosted military exercises and accommodated Russian tactical nuclear weapons, President Alexander Lukashenko has consistently stopped short of deploying Belarusian troops into Ukraine. He recently reiterated that Belarus has no intention of fighting Ukrainians despite rising tensions along the border.

The latest developments follow renewed accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia is using Belarusian territory and infrastructure to support drone operations against Ukraine. Kyiv has warned Minsk that continued military cooperation with Moscow could have serious consequences, allegations Belarus has denied.

The drone offensive and diplomatic exchanges highlight the increasingly important role of unmanned aerial warfare in the conflict. What began largely as a conventional ground war has evolved into one in which drones are routinely used for surveillance, precision strikes and attacks on strategic infrastructure far behind the front lines.