The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Friday that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 61 Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) across several Russian regions overnight.
According to a statement from the ministry, “On-duty air defences intercepted and destroyed 61 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles between 8 pm and 7 am Moscow time: 22 over the Oryol Region, 14 over the Kursk Region, seven over the Belgorod Region, five over the Voronezh Region, three over the Volgograd Region, three over the Rostov Region, three over the Tula Region, three over the Bryansk Region and one over the Moscow Region.”
Regional governors quickly confirmed the absence of casualties or significant damage. Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev stated on Telegram that drones were destroyed over the city of Voronezh and along the region’s border, with no preliminary reports of casualties or damage. Similarly, Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported no casualties or damage in his region, noting that “Response teams are working on the ground.”
Kremlin Dismisses Ceasefire Without Strategic Advantage
Meanwhile, in an interview with British media outlet Sky News, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that Russia has no intention of relinquishing its strategic advantage over Ukraine by agreeing to a ceasefire. “Now we have a strategic advantage. Why should we lose it? We are not going to lose it. We are going further. We’re advancing and we’ll continue to advance,” Peskov stated.
Russia has consistently maintained that it would only consider a ceasefire if Kyiv ceases to receive foreign military aid, arguing that any pause in hostilities would allow Ukraine to rearm and regroup its forces. Peskov emphasized that Russia would not exploit a potential ceasefire, stating, “A ceasefire is a ceasefire, and you stop.”
Putin Open to Talks, Questions Zelensky’s Legitimacy
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his readiness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a “final phase” of negotiations, but once again raised questions about his Ukrainian counterpart’s legitimacy. “I am even ready to meet him (Zelensky) but only if it is some kind of final phase,” Putin said at a press conference with foreign media in St. Petersburg.
Putin added that Russia aims to end the war in Ukraine “as soon as possible,” preferably through peaceful means, and remains open to continuing negotiations, provided Kyiv and its Western allies are willing to engage. He stressed that while he is ready to meet with anyone, including Zelensky, the crucial question for Russia is who would legitimately sign any resulting documents. “We are not dealing with propaganda here; when it comes to serious matters, what matters is not political messaging but legal legitimacy,” Putin clarified.
Putin also suggested that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are prepared to resume direct talks after June 22. However, he warned that if a peaceful resolution is not achieved, Russia will pursue its objectives in Ukraine by military means. He reiterated that the primary aim of Russia’s special military operation is the demilitarization of Ukraine, aiming to deprive it of the capacity to maintain military forces that could pose a threat to Russia.