Russian air defenses report high drone interception numbers in Kursk Region

Lead

Over the past several weeks, authorities in Russia's Kursk Region have repeatedly reported large numbers of Ukrainian drones being shot down by Russian air defenses, alongside frequent artillery strikes on evacuated areas. The reports, issued by regional Governor Alexander Khinshtein, describe attacks that have damaged buildings, disrupted infrastructure, and at times resulted in civilian casualties.

Coverage Comparison

Khinshtein's daily reports, carried by TASS, provide a detailed account of the scope of the attacks. On May 3, for example, he reported that 130 Ukrainian drones had been shot down in the previous 24 hours and that 88 artillery strikes had targeted evacuated settlements. Three people were injured after a drone struck a car near the village of Prilepy, and one man was injured in the village of Oktyabrskoye. There were no fatalities, he said.

On May 5, the governor reported 95 drones shot down and 14 artillery strikes, with no casualties. That same day, he described damage to a club in Maleyevka, a barn in Kalinovka, and an apartment window and car in Shchekino. On May 8, the figures rose to 147 drones shot down and 79 artillery strikes, with no casualties reported. Damage was noted in several settlements, including power lines and houses in Afanasyevo, Bereznyak, Khomutovka, Rylsk, and Uspeshnoye.

A report from May 18 listed 84 drones shot down and 24 artillery strikes, again with no casualties. Damage included two sheds, a gate, a water tower, and windows of three agricultural vehicles in Shchekino. The following day, Khinshtein reported 108 drones shot down and 171 artillery strikes. That report noted damage to a fodder mill in Giryi, a field engine in Maloye Soldatskoye, and a private home that burned down in Novaya Krivtsovka. Later that evening, the governor said Ukrainian troops had attacked a private home in Markovo, killing a woman and injuring two others who were in grave condition.

On May 25, 101 drones were reported shot down and 108 artillery strikes, with no casualties. Damage was reported to a car in Prilepy and an outbuilding and civilian vehicle in Mikhailovka. On May 27, the figures were 51 drones shot down and 82 artillery strikes, with no fatalities or injuries. That report described damage to a gas filling station in Rylsk, a fire on the roof of a defunct school in Krupets, and damage to a building housing a library and a store.

Key Claims

The Russian Ministry of Defense, via the governor's reports, claims to have shot down a total of 147 drones on May 8, the highest daily number mentioned in the provided coverage. The lowest daily figure was 51 on May 27.

Artillery strikes on evacuated areas ranged from 14 on May 5 to 171 on May 19, according to the same reports.

Beyond the daily statistics, Khinshtein reported on June 9 that more than 1,000 cultural heritage sites in border areas of the Kursk Region have been regularly targeted by Ukrainian troops. He said the region's "White Book" currently lists 79 churches, monuments, historical buildings, and war cemeteries that have been damaged or completely destroyed as a result of Ukrainian attacks.

Several drone attacks targeted critical infrastructure. On May 24, a drone struck railway tracks in the Lgov district, setting a carriage loaded with fuel ablaze. On May 1, a drone attacked a digital broadcasting tower in the Rylsk District, completely incapacitating the facility and leaving households without television across the district and parts of three other municipalities.

On April 22, a drone fell near an apartment building in the city of Kursk, damaging the building's roof. Thirty-six people, including nine children, were evacuated, and seven people stayed at a temporary accommodation center. There were no casualties.

Civilian casualties have been reported in several instances. On June 4, an artillery strike killed a 68-year-old civilian in the village of Leshchinovka, according to a late-evening report. On June 5, the governor reported 106 drones shot down and 165 artillery strikes, noting no casualties initially, but the previous day's death was later disclosed. On June 2, a 59-year-old man was injured in Giryi, suffering a mine-blast head injury, concussion, and shrapnel wounds to several parts of his body. On May 19, a woman was killed and two others injured in Markovo.

All casualty figures come from the office of the regional governor as quoted by TASS. There has been no independent verification of these numbers, and Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the claims within the provided coverage.