Russia reports downing 174 Ukrainian drones as sides trade heavy fire

Russia reported heavy Ukrainian drone attacks on airfields and industrial areas on Friday, as Moscow launched deadly strikes on Kiev.

The Russian Defence Ministry said 174 Ukrainian drones were downed over several areas, including the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod as well as the annexed Crimean peninsula.

"In addition, three Neptune-MD guided missiles were destroyed by the air defence system over the Black Sea," it said.

Despite the Russian military's reports of success in intercepting the Ukrainian attacks, several appear to have hit targets.

A high-rise building was hit in the city of Engels in the Saratov region. There were no casualties and the building was briefly evacuated, but the residents have since returned, according to the governor of Saratov, Roman Busargin.

"A drone attack caused a fire in one of Engels' industrial plants," he also wrote. According to media reports, the plant in question is a refinery.

Engels is home to a large airbase of the Russian armed forces. The refinery is located in the immediate vicinity of the base, from which plans repeatedly take off to fire on Ukraine.

A military airfield in the Bryansk region was also apparently hit, with videos showing a large fireball amid the sound of several explosions.

Independent military blogger Jan Matveyev said there were indications that an ammunition depot was hit.

According to acting governor Yevgeny Pervyshov, a factory in the Tambov region was hit.

He said three people were injured but offered no further details about the company.

Meanwhile, there was another attack on the Russian railway in Belgorod, where a reserve locomotive derailed following an explosion.

According to the authorities, there were no injuries. However, the line was initially closed.

Several attacks on Russian railway infrastructure have been reported in recent days.

In one case, a passenger train also derailed as a result, with several people killed and injured.

At least four people were killed after Russia launched an intense wave of drone and cruise missile strikes on Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian authorities said early on Friday.