The Ukrainian Air Force said on Friday that 21 of a total of 29 Shahed combat drones had been intercepted. The Russian Defense Ministry meanwhile reported Ukrainian attacks on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow, in which 36 drones were “destroyed and intercepted” on Friday.
On Thursday, Russia said it had repelled a Ukrainian attack on the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea. The governor appointed by Russia following the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula, Mikhail Razvoyayev, said on the Telegram online service that parts of the Ukrainian rockets fired had fallen into inhabited areas. At least one person was injured. Sevastopol is the home port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is of central military and logistical importance to the Russian army. It is regularly attacked by Ukraine with missiles or drones.
The city of Belgorod in the Russian border region of the same name was also attacked once more late Thursday, according to official reports. At least two people were injured, said Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Pictures of damaged cars in the city were published on the Telegram online service. According to Gladkow, ten aerial shells were repelled as they approached the city. According to the ministry, another Ukrainian drone was destroyed over the western Russian region of Krasnodar.
Governor Gladkov then offered citizens on Friday to help them evacuate because of the Ukrainian attacks. They might be accommodated “warm and safe” in places further from the border. Belgorod city authorities also urged residents to tape their windows to protect themselves from Ukrainian attacks. This is a good way to prevent the glass from shattering due to pressure waves.
The fighting between Ukraine and Russia had recently intensified. Russia massively attacked Ukrainian cities around the turn of the year, killing a total of 60 people. Ukraine responded last Saturday with an attack on the Russian border town of Belgorod, in which 25 people were killed.
Ukraine reported at least four deaths following Russian attacks on Thursday. Accordingly, there were attacks on the central Ukrainian region of Kirovograd and the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson.
Washington said Russia also used missiles from North Korea in its recent air strikes in Ukraine. Pyongyang recently delivered ballistic missiles and rocket launchers to Moscow, some of which were used in attacks on December 30 and January 2, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it had “no information” regarding the use of North Korean missiles. After an expert investigation, “we can say whether this corresponds to the facts or not,” said spokesman Yurij Ignat.
