Ukraine said on Thursday that its air defence systems had destroyed two dozen drones launched overnight by Russian forces from the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow invaded in 2014.
Kyiv has warned of a fresh wave of Russian aircraft strikes on energy infrastructure ahead of winter and Moscow has also recently increased attacks on Ukraine’s ports.
Ukraine claims to have destroyed 24 Shahed-131/136 (attack drones) over the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovograd regions in the country’s centre and south.
It further stated that Russia had deployed a total of 29 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russia continues its efforts to destroy ports and other infrastructure in south Ukraine, according to military officials in charge of the region.
“Unfortunately, an infrastructure facility in the Kirovograd region was hit”, the statement continued, without elaborating on the causalities.
Russia increased its bombardment on ports in southern Ukraine after pulling out of a pact that allowed grain supplies over the Black Sea to pass safely in July.
Kyiv has also warned that Moscow is resuming aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, echoing the systematic attacks that left millions without heating and water for extended periods last year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this week that Kyiv is requesting stronger air defence systems from its allies.
“We are doing everything to provide Ukraine with more air defence systems before winter”, Zelensky added.
