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Russia says it downed 220 Ukrainian drones over nine hours

By Thomson Reuters Feb 26, 2026 | 3:57 PM

Feb 26 (Reuters) – Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday ​its air ‌defence units had downed 220 Ukrainian drones over a nine-hour ‌period, ​including 24 ⁠headed for ⁠Moscow.

The latest ministry statement said 53 drones were intercepted and ​destroyed in a three-hour ⁠period ending ⁠11 p.m. (2000 GMT).

Many ​of the drones ​were intercepted over regions ‌in central Russia. The ministry said 12 had ⁠targeted the Russian capital.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, writing ⁠on ‌Telegram, said ⁠27 drones had ​been ‌downed while ​heading for ⁠the city, starting at about 5 p.m.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Alistair ​Bell)