Russia reports interception of 218 Ukrainian drones

The Russian Ministry of Defence reported that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 218 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) during an overnight period between October 2 and October 3, 2026. The interceptions occurred over various Russian regions, including Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tula, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar Territory, as well as over the Republic of Crimea and the Azov and Black Seas.

Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia remains open to dialogue regarding the maintenance of security in the Black Sea for all countries. However, he noted that no specific negotiations or bilateral agreements with nations such as India, Egypt, or Turkey are currently underway.