Russian military reports downing small balloon launched from Ukraine

MOSCOW. April 16 (Interfax) - A small balloon launched from Ukrainian territory has been downed over the Kursk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"On-duty air defense forces destroyed a small Ukrainian balloon over the Kursk region," the ministry said.

It is believed that the balloon, downed at around 8:15 a.m. Moscow time, was intended for staging an attack on sites in Russia, it said.