Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Belgorod region and left two deadAFP
Published 04/20/2024 09:28 | Updated 04/20/2024 09:29
Ukraine attacked Russia with more than 50 drones overnight on Friday, 19th, according to Moscow’s Defense Ministry, which signaled that Kiev appeared to be targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
Around 50 drones were shot down by air defenses in eight Russian regions, including 26 in the western region of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine. A couple died during the Ukrainian attack, after explosions caused a fire in their home, according to Belgorod governor Viacheslav Gladkov.
Drones were also reportedly destroyed in the Briansk, Kursk, Tula, Smolensk, Riazan and Kaluga regions of western and southern Russia, as well as in the Moscow region. Ukrainian authorities typically do not comment on attacks on Russian soil. However, many of the drone strikes appeared to be aimed at Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Moscow authorities said a drone strike sparked a fire at a power station in Kaluga. Other Russian provinces have also pointed out that drones have hit fuel and energy complexes.
In recent months, Russian refineries and oil terminals have become priority targets for Ukrainian drone strikes.
Ukrainian drone developers have been expanding the range of weapons for months in a bid by Kiev to make up for its battlefield disadvantage in weapons and troops. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also an affordable option as Ukraine waits for more U.S. military aid.
Russia attacks Ukraine with missiles
Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with seven missiles, and air defenses shot down two missiles and three reconnaissance drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force on Saturday.
Governor Oleh Kiper, head of Ukraine’s Odesa region, said ballistic missiles damaged local infrastructure overnight, but did not provide further details. Previous attacks in the Black Sea city on Friday damaged the city’s port infrastructure, including two food export terminals, according to Ukrainian President Volodmir Zelensky.
Russian shelling also killed a 50-year-old man in the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv province.
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