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This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.

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Russian governors claim drone attacks across the country

1 min read
Russian governors claim drone attacks across the country
Illustrative purposes only: Remains of a Shahed 136/131 drone at an exhibition showing remains of missiles and drones that Russia used to attack Kyiv on May 12, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo for illustrative purposes. (Oleksii Samsonov /Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Governors in several Russian regions, including the Belgorod, Kaluga, Bryansk, and Voronezh Oblasts claimed that multiple drones were downed overnight on Feb. 17.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced via Telegram that two drones were shot down over the region. Vladislav Shapsha, the governor of Russia's Kaluga Oblast, also announced that four drones were shot down by air defense in the territory.

The governor of the Bryansk Oblast, Alexander Bogomaz, claimed that five drones were shot down over the region.

Voronezh Oblast governor Alexander Gusev reported air defense downed three drones.

Information on casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure is not yet available.

The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify Russia's claim, and Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the alleged attacks.

Russian officials have frequently claimed cross-border strikes by Ukraine. Russia's Belgorod Oblast borders the Ukrainian oblasts of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk, and is frequently used to launch attacks against Ukraine.

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Rachel Amran

News Editor

Rachel Amran is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked on the Europe and Central Asia team of Human Rights Watch investigating war crimes in Ukraine. Rachel holds a master's degree in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Regional Studies from Columbia University.

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