INTERNATIONAL — February 19, 2026
Russian Defense Ministry reports downing 113 Ukrainian drones
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces downed 113 Ukrainian drones over Bryansk, Smolensk and Pskov regions, causing minor casualties and damage including a fire at an oil depot. The report coincides with ongoing stalled peace talks, per Zelenskyy.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
Russia's Defense Ministry announced that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 113 Ukrainian drones over several regions of the country overnight.
TASS news agency reported on Thursday that the majority of the drones were detected and shot down in the Bryansk and Smolensk regions. In these incidents, two civilians were injured from a drone crash, five residential houses and two vehicles sustained damage, and one building was completely destroyed by fire resulting from the attack.
In the Pskov region, a drone strike on an oil depot sparked a fire, with local officials stating that no casualties had been reported as of the latest updates.
The incidents come amid stalled peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of deliberately delaying negotiations and any potential agreement.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source reports direct on-record statement from named Russian Defense Ministry via TASS with concrete, checkable details (specific numbers, regions, damages); the claim is the official announcement itself, not an unverified ground event.
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Hasht-e Subh
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International — Russia, Ukraine, drones, Bryansk, Pskov
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