File image.
Early on September 23, a large-scale attack with suicide drones targeted the southern Ukrainian region of Dnepropetrovsk.
At least 15 Geran-1 and 2 suicide drones launched by the Russian military targeted the region and neighboring Zaporozhye, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, that claimed in a statement that 14 of the drones were intercepted by its air defenses.
Despite these claims, at least four blasts were reported in the city Dnepr. The Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council Mykola Lukashuk acknowledged later on Telegram that a “critical infrastructure object” in the city was hit.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not claimed responsibility for the drone attack, yet. The attack was likely carried out in response to a Ukrainian missile strike that targeted the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean Peninsula a day earlier. At least one Russian service member was killed in the strike.
Ukraine made another attempt to attack Crimea on September 23 morning. The debris from a downed rocket fell on the northern part of the Sevastopol Bay, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of the Russian Black Sea city.
“According to preliminary information, air defenses were activated in Sevastopol. The debris from a downed rocket fell near Sukharnaya Bay [the northern part of the larger Sevastopol Bay],” the governor wrote on his Telegram channel, adding that emergency services have left for the scene.
Initially, an incoming missile alert was issued and passenger ship traffic was suspended in the city. However, the alert was quickly revoked.
“The missile and air raid warning has been canceled,” Razvozhayev announced on Telegram.
Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks in a bid to distract the Russian military as its own forces make a last ditch effort to save their faltering counteroffensive. Some of the recent attacks resulted in losses. However, Russian defenses across the frontline in the special military operation zone are still holding.
As winter approaches, the Ukrainian counteroffensive appears to be nearing complete failure. When this happens, Russia could launch its own counteroffensive.
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