Why are Russian drones flying over our Sussex homes? Police probe mystery surveillance craft sent from Kremlin-owned country manor that keep locals in three villages under regular watch

Residents living in three picturesque villages say their lives are being made a misery by an armada of surveillance drones operated from a manor house owned by the Russian government.

They say the drones – up to ten are being launched every evening – are worrying their pets, wrecking their sleep and destroying their peace of mind.

The unmanned aerial vehicles fly over the villages of Flimwell, Ticehurst and Wadhurst in East Sussex for up to four hours every evening.

Mysteriously, those living in the villages say that the crafts are being launched and controlled from the Seacox Heath estate, a huge country mansion on the Sussex/Kent border that for decades has been owned by Russia and Vladimir Putin's regime.

Villagers say they are living in fear as the drones hover over their homes and move slowly down residential streets before returning to the grounds of the Grade II-listed mansion – and they have demanded to know why.

Sussex Police has confirmed it is investigating the origin of the flying objects and officers have visited and spoken to the occupants of the embassy building.

Speaking to MailOnline, Edwin Taylor, 68, who lives in Ticehurst said: 'It's very worrying. Who knows what they're filming.

'They appear every evening as regular as clockwork just after 6pm and disappear around 10pm.

'They fly over our houses and you can both hear and see them hovering above the street lights.

'They fly in a circle over the village and hover over the streets and then head off towards Seacox Heath before disappearing.'

A businesswoman, who lives in Flimwell, said: 'Between six and 10 are launched every evening and they circle the village for hours. It's a bit menacing if you ask me.

'You can hear them before you see them and they circle above the village. In the summer they were all disappearing at about 10pm but now it is darker they are leaving earlier. A lot of people are quite worried about it.'

The Sussex force has been repeatedly called about them have confirmed they have launched an investigation.

Officers visited Seacox Heath and have spoken to the occupants of the property.

The 50-room 19th century palace on the Sussex/Kent border was once owned by Lord Goschen.

But it was given to the Soviet Union in 1946 as a gift after Russian sailors saved his son during the Second World War.

Initially used as a home for families of trade delegation staff, but later the mansion became the country retreat of the Russian ambassador.

The present Russian ambassador, Andrei Kelin, is said to have used the property for diplomatic functions.

It is also understood that when the sprawling property and grounds are not being used it is cared for by an elderly Russian couple.

After the launch of the war in Ukraine in 2022 residents, outraged over the invasion, sprayed pro-Ukrainian graffiti on the entrance.

That was followed by the planting of Ukrainian flags outside the entrance and along the embankment by writer and journalist, Rebecca de Saintonge.

It is thought the appearance of drones in skies maybe in response to security fears at the castle.

Miss de Saintonge said: 'After my protest I had a visit from two policemen. I think they were worried for the safety of the elderly Russian couple who looks after the house. We took our flags away to help defuse the situation.

'Obviously the protest was an emotional response to the invasion, but it wasn't right to put the elderly couple in any danger.'

Jonathan Stevens, 48, a banker, said: 'I can't believe there is a Russian government building down the road from me being used by Vladimir Putin's cronies.

'The sudden appearance of Russian drones over our villages is very, very worrying indeed. Lots of people have seen them and it's very strange.'

A resident in nearby Wadhurst said: 'Russia is waging war in the Ukraine and yet we have an embassy building right here in our midst - I had no idea.

'It is very concerning that they are now flying over our villages. Who knows what information they are gathering and sending back to their bosses in Russia.'

Seacox Heath hit the headlines in 1999 after a pack of Alsatian guard dogs escaped from their kennels and killed 50 sheep and injured another 100.

Sheep farmer, Graham Browne, was furious and said the dogs had terrorised his flock on numerous occasions.

He asked police to destroy the dogs but officers were rendered powerless because the dogs had immunity because they were part of the diplomatic estate.

Sussex Police say the force received four reports of drones flying around the Wadshurst and Ticehurst area during October and September.

Incidents were reported on 17 September, two on 5 October and another on 15 October.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Police engaged with members of the public who reported the sightings to gather information and offer reassurance.

'Officers also engaged with occupants of a property nearby, from which the informants were concerned the drones were emanating.

'Sussex Police, alongside partners in Kent Police, are continuing to monitor the situation but there is currently nothing to indicate the origin of the drones, nor to suggest criminal activity.'