Russia downs 20 drones over Crimea; no casualties reported

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Saturday that it had downed 20 Ukrainian drones over Crimea, as well as stopped two missile strikes on the Kerch Bridge which connects Crimea to mainland Russia.

No casualties were reported in the strikes.

While 14 of the drones were shot down, six of them were disabled through jamming techniques, according to officials.

The announcement comes as Russia again ramps up its attacks on Ukrainian positions. The ministry said Russian forces had taken nine Ukrainian positions near Kupyansk during fighting Saturday morning.

The Russian military claimed on Telegram it has repelled counterattacks on its positions Friday, killing over 500 Ukrainian servicemen. Strikes across the front lines destroyed armored vehicles, artillery positions and a command post, Russia claims.

Fighting Friday also downed 29 more Ukrainian drones, the ministry said.

The Kerch Bridge has been a common and significant target for Ukrainian attacks. A strike last week struck an oil tanker near the bridge, and last month a strike temporarily closed the bridge.

The Crimean drone strikes come after drone attacks on Moscow. The strikes serve little military purpose, but are an attempt to sow unrest in the Russian populace against the war.

Ukraine’s counteroffensive has slowed, raising concern among allies about the country’s hopes at beating back the Russian military before winter sets in.

“We’ve known from the beginning that regardless of when any counteroffensive started, it was going to be a tough fight,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said earlier this week. 

“Going forward, we’re going to continue to consult with them, we’re going to continue to provide them training so that they can take back sovereign territory,” he added.