On the night of June 17, 2025, Russian air defense forces prevented a large-scale attack by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Belgorod region. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, from 20:00 to 23:30 Moscow time, air defense systems on duty shot down 51 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones launched from Ukrainian territory. This incident was one of the most significant in terms of the number of drones involved in a short period of time, highlighting the increasing intensity of attacks on Russia's border regions amid the ongoing conflict.

The attack was aimed at infrastructure facilities and residential areas of the Belgorod region, but thanks to the prompt actions of the air defense, significant damage was avoided. The debris of the downed drones fell mainly in rural areas, causing no harm to the population.

The Ukrainian drones used in the attack are believed to be aircraft-type models that are actively used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). According to the Defense Express portal, Ukraine has significantly increased its drone production in 2025.