By Lidia Kelly and Reuters
Russian forces destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones launched onto the Crimean Peninsula early on Saturday, Russia’s defence ministry mentioned.
There have been no casualties and no injury because of the tried assault, the ministry mentioned on the Telegram messaging app. It mentioned 14 drones had been destroyed by air defence techniques and 6 had been suppressed by digital warfare.
Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the report.
It was not instantly clear what was focused within the reported assaults on the Russian-annexed peninsula.
Sergei Kryuchkov, an adviser to the Russia-installed governor of Crimea, mentioned earlier that air defence techniques had been engaged in repelling air assault in numerous components of the peninsula.
Crimea transport authorities mentioned on their Telegram channel that visitors on the Crimean Bridge, which hyperlinks the Black Sea peninsula with the Russian area of Krasnodar, was suspended for about two hours from 1:30 a.m. (2230 GMT).
Drone assaults on Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine and deep inside Russia have elevated since a drone was destroyed over the Kremlin in early Might.
Ukraine nearly by no means publicly claims duty for the assaults however has mentioned destroying Russia’s army infrastructure is essential for Kyiv’s counteroffensive.
Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, eight years earlier than President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Russia’s neighbour in February final 12 months.
