MOSCOW, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defense forces shot down 1,155 drones over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
The figure nearly matched the record of 1,158 drones downed on Aug. 2, according to the TASS news agency.
The ministry said air defense systems also intercepted 20 guided aerial bombs and one projectile fired from a HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. In the Black Sea, Russian naval aviation destroyed one Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel.
Strengthening air defense capabilities remains one of Russia's key priorities in the conflict with Ukraine. On Tuesday, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said city authorities and the ministry were jointly reinforcing air defense measures, noting that about two-thirds of all Ukrainian drones targeting Russia were aimed at the capital.
Sobyanin added that Moscow was sharing its experience and relevant data with other Russian regions.
In mid-July, Russian state-owned technology corporation Rostec unveiled the Pautina anti-drone system, designed to protect industrial infrastructure from drone attacks. ■