On the morning of November 2, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of 212 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian territory, occupied Crimea, and the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. Among the Russian regions targeted were the Rostov Oblast and the Krasnodar Krai.

In Azerbaijan, former Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev has been given a 14-year suspended prison sentence. The 88-year-old, a long-time associate of Heydar Aliyev, was found guilty of high treason, attempting to seize power by force, accepting bribes, and money laundering. According to investigators, he was plotting a coup and attempting to secure support from Moscow. *Novaya Gazeta Europe* notes that the charges implicate not only the former official but also opposition leader Ali Karimli.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on a report by the newspaper *Hraparak* claiming that Moscow rejected the candidacy of Samvel Mkrtchyan, who was being considered for the post of Armenian ambassador to Russia, RBC reports.

The Rostov Region was the only southern Russian territory mentioned in the Ministry of Defense’s report on attacks that took place overnight into November 1. According to the ministry, a total of 235 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down over Russian territory during the preceding 12 hours.