Russian defenses shot down 54 Ukrainian drones last night over the southwestern provinces of the country. A statement by the Ministry of Defense said: "Russian defenses shot down 27 Ukrainian drones over Kursk Province, 16 over Bryansk Province, 7 over Smolensk Province, 3 over Belgorod Province, and 1 over Oryol Province." Kiev forces continue to target the border areas in southwestern Russia with drones and missiles on an almost daily basis, which confirms, according to what President Vladimir Putin announced, the necessity of expanding the scope of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, and removing Kiev forces from Russian regions, including the new ones, within the range of the missiles in Ukrainian possession./End Source: National Iraqi News Agency