Russia announced Thursday that it had shot down 19 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean peninsula and the surrounding Black Sea overnight.
The Russian defence ministry wrote on Telegram that a Ukrainian attempt to launch an attack with aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles had been thwarted.
Three more UAV drones were also downed in separate strikes, according to the report.
“Air defence systems destroyed 19 Ukrainian UAVs over the Black Sea and the territory of the Republic of Crimea, and one each over the territories of Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions”, the defence ministry stated.
The Belgorod and Kursk regions border eastern Ukraine, whereas Oryol is closest to Kyiv.
Ukraine has attacked Crimea throughout Russia’s offensive, but attacks have recently increased as Kyiv vows to reclaim the Black Sea peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
On August 25, Russia claimed to have shot down 42 drones over Crimea.
And, since Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in early June, Russia has been subjected to waves of drone attacks, which have sporadically damaged structures, including those in Moscow.
Officials in Russia have minimized their significance.
The Russian-backed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, disputed that numerous drones were destroyed in the area around Crimea’s largest city, home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
On Telegram, Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote, “Yes, air defence works, but in the Crimean zone”, referring to the rest of the peninsula, which is managed separately from the capital.
“In Sevastopol, all services are on alert, and the air situation is being monitored”, Razvozhayev added.
“We are asking all Crimeans to remain calm”, said Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the Moscow-appointed governor of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, on Telegram.
“More away from the windows if you hear the sounds of a drone flying by or air defence system. Official information will be released later”, he continued.
“Please contact special services or hotlines if you find the wreckage of a UAV shot down by air defence or landed by electronic warfare”, he added.
Also read: Ukraine Claims 17 Of 24 Russian Drones Destroyed In An Overnight Attack
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