Moscow: Russias Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems shot down 31 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions of the country.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a statement, the ministry said nine drones were intercepted over Crimea, six over the border region of Bryansk, five in Smolensk, five over the Black Sea, two above the Sea of Azov, and one each over the regions of Oryol, Belgorod, Kaluga, and Krasnodar Krai.

Since the outbreak of conflict in February 2022, military escalation between Russia and Ukraine has remained relentless, fueled by ongoing disputes over five regions under Russian military control.

Kyiv demands full Russian withdrawal from these areas, while Moscow insists that Ukraine must not join NATO and must recognize the current status of the territories in question.

Despite the continued hostilities, recent weeks have seen modest signs of progress, including prisoner exchanges, the repatriation of fallen soldiers' remains, and an agreement to hold a third round of negotiations.