In a dramatic turn of events during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the war-torn Kursk Region, his helicopter was reportedly caught in the middle of a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault. This revelation came from a high-ranking Russian air defence commander, who described the moment as being at the “epicentre” of a fierce UAV attack.
According to Commander Yury Dashkin, speaking to state broadcaster Russia 1, President Putin’s aircraft was directly over the region during an “unprecedented” Ukrainian offensive involving dozens of drones. However, Russian air defence systems swiftly responded, successfully neutralizing the aerial threat and ensuring the President’s safety.
Dashkin emphasized the heightened danger: “The intensity of the attacks surged as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s helicopter crossed the Kursk Region. Air defence units had to engage in simultaneous anti-aircraft combat while protecting the President in the air. The mission was accomplished — every drone was intercepted.”
President Putin had traveled to the Kursk Region on Tuesday, marking his first visit since Russian forces claimed full control over the area in April. During his trip, he met with local officials, volunteers, and the regional governor, Aleksandr Khinshtein, to assess rebuilding efforts and bolster morale among residents affected by earlier conflict.
At the time of his visit, Ukrainian forces reportedly launched a wave of fixed-wing UAVs toward the region. Russian defences shot down 46 drones during that assault alone. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry later revealed that between Tuesday and Friday of that week, a staggering 764 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across Russian airspace. The Defence Ministry claimed that attacks continued through the weekend, with “hundreds more” UAVs destroyed.
The incident underscores the growing intensity of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict and highlights the persistent security threats facing even the highest levels of Russian leadership.
