Russia Downs 426 Ukrainian Drones Across 13 Regions on September 3

Russia's Ministry of Defense reported that 426 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems on Thursday, September 3. The downing occurred between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM across 13 Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Moscow region, and Crimea. Regional officials reported casualties and damage from the attacks. In Belgorod Oblast, a passenger was killed and a driver injured in Shebekino, with multiple other civilians wounded by drone strikes. In Kursk Oblast, a 64-year-old man was injured. Moscow authorities reported 548 drones launched toward the region since September 2, with 143 intercepted near the capital, causing airport restrictions. In Moscow Oblast, drone strikes hit residential buildings in Kubinka and Pavlovsky Posad, injuring two people, and a factory in Bolshoye Bunkovo caught fire. Six Ukrainian unmanned boats were destroyed off the Black Sea coast near Sochi. Two people were injured in Oryol Oblast from falling drone debris.