On the night of March 25, 2025, Russian air defense forces destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of Crimea. This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry in its morning report, specifying that the attack was stopped by air defense systems on duty without specifying a specific time and consequences on the ground. This incident was another episode in a series of attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to strike targets on the peninsula. Amid the ongoing conflict, such attacks remain part of Kyiv's strategy to put pressure on the Russian rear. 

Compared to the previous night, when Russian air defense, according to the department, intercepted 28 Ukrainian drones over various regions, including Crimea, the scale of the current raid was significantly more modest — almost six times smaller. Experts attribute this decrease in activity to the possible influence of the talks that took place on March 24 in Riyadh between delegations of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. According to unofficial data, one of the topics of discussion was the temporary cessation of strikes on infrastructure, which could have affected the intensity of attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces during this period. Officially, the Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the connection between diplomatic efforts and the change in the nature of the enemy's air operations. 

The situation in Crimea remains tense, as the peninsula regularly becomes a target for Ukrainian drones aimed at military and energy facilities. Russian authorities emphasize that all attempted attacks are promptly suppressed, and air defense systems are on high alert. At the same time, the lack of information about destruction or casualties on the night of March 25 may indicate the effectiveness of Russian defense systems in this particular case. 

The talks in Riyadh, mentioned by the media, could indeed have played a role in reducing activity. Reuters reported on March 24 that the American delegation led by National Security Advisor Mike Walz held 12-hour consultations with representatives of Russia, and the day before — with Ukraine. According to the agency, the parties discussed issues of navigation safety in the Black Sea and a temporary ceasefire in the air, which could have affected the plans of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A source in the White House noted that a "positive statement" is expected in the coming days, although specific agreements have not yet been made public. 

The BBC specifies that the format of the talks was indirect: the Russian and Ukrainian delegations did not meet face to face, but communicated through American intermediaries in different rooms of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. This is the second round of consultations in Saudi Arabia in 2025, the first of which took place in February and was dedicated to restoring diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia. The current meeting, according to analysts, is aimed at finding practical steps for de-escalation, although Zelensky called it "technical" and expressed skepticism about Kyiv's participation in the process without direct dialogue with Moscow.