MOSCOW/ISTANBUL – Russia’s air defense systems destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones over several regions within seven hours on Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
The ministry said that Russia’s on-duty air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones from 3 pm to 10 pm Moscow time on Saturday.
The drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and Voronezh regions, as well as over Crimea, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday that Türkiye will continue to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that the region is in urgent need of peace and stability.
The two leaders met at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul behind closed doors for over an hour.
Following the talks, the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications stated on social media that the discussions addressed bilateral ties, peace initiatives regarding the ongoing conflict, and broader regional and global developments.
During the working session, Erdogan underlined the critical importance of maritime navigation safety in the Black Sea and the necessity of ensuring energy supply security. He also expressed Türkiye’s determination to increase bilateral trade volume with Ukraine through continued strategic steps.
Furthermore, the Turkish president highlighted the importance of strengthening international diplomatic partnerships.
Türkiye has long positioned itself as a key mediator in the conflict, specifically through the “Istanbul Process,” a diplomatic framework aimed at facilitating direct dialogue between the parties to reach a lasting resolution.