Russian air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 27 Ukrainian drones over four regions of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry announced.
15 of them were shot down over the territory of Belgorod Region, 7 over Voronezh Region, 3 over Tambov Region and 2 over Kursk Region.
Russia has returned 2,466 fighters from the territory controlled by Ukraine since the beginning of World War II as a result of 30 exchanges, according to data from the Russian Defense Ministry.
In the first exchange of the new year, 25 Russian servicemen were returned yesterday. In return, the same number of servicemen from the Ukrainian Armed Forces were transferred to Ukraine.
In 2024, there were 10 exchanges, 1,266 servicemen were returned. In the exchange on January 3, 2024, Russia returned 248 servicemen, on January 31 - 195, on February 8 - 100, on May 31 - 75, on June 25 - 90, on July 17 - 95, on August 24 - 115, on September 14 - 103, on October 18 - 95, on December 30 - 150.
In 2023, eight exchanges were carried out. On January 8, 50 Russian soldiers were returned, on February 4 - 63, on February 16 - 101, on March 7 - 90, on April 10 - 106, on April 26 - 40, on May 6 - 3, on June 11 - 94.
In 2022, 11 exchanges were carried out, as a result of which 628 servicemen returned. They took place on September 22 (55 servicemen), October 13 (20), October 17 (110), October 29 (50), November 3 (107), November 23 (35), November 24 (50), November 26 (9), December 1 (50), December 6 (60), December 31 (82).
During all exchanges in 2025 and 2024, the corresponding number of servicemen from the Ukrainian Armed Forces were returned to the Ukrainian side, with the United Arab Emirates acting as a mediator.