New Delhi, June 19 -- Russia's air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 234 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over multiple regions of the country during a 13-hour period on Thursday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The latest announcement comes amid a sharp escalation in long-range strikes and drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure, military facilities, and strategic locations far from the front line.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said:

"During the day, between 7:00 and 20:00 Moscow time [04:00 and 17:00], air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 234 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the territories of th...