Ukraine aims a major drone attack at Crimea
Russian officials say Ukraine has launched one of its biggest drone attacks on the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula since the full-scale war began
ByILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press
November 24, 2023, 6:23 AM
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss”, Ukrainian soldiers pass by a volunteer bus burning after a Russian drone hit it near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (Shandyba Mykyta, Ukrainian 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” via AP)The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine launched one of the biggest drone attacks on the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula since the full-scale war that started with Russia's invasion 21 months ago, Russian officials said Friday. They did not mention any casualties or damage.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials reported that the Kremlin’s forces escalated their weekslong and costly attempt to storm Avdiivka, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine.
The stepped-up efforts came as both sides are keen to show they are not deadlocked as the fighting approaches 2024. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June, and analysts predict the war will be a long one.
With winter weather setting in, bringing snow and freezing temperatures to the battlefield, Ukraine and Russia are looking to take ground that could provide platforms for future advances.
The Moscow-appointed governor for the Russian-occupied part of southern Ukraine's Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Crimea early Friday. He claimed that dozens of drones were shot down over the province and the northern part of Crimea.
Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considered illegal, and has used it as a staging and supply point during the war.
The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 13 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and three more over southern Russia’s Volgograd region.
Ukrainian officials did not comment on the Russian reports.
It was not possible to independently verify either side's battlefield claims.
Russia has been trying to capture Avdiivka since Oct. 10, using heavy bombardments and reportedly taking heavy losses. The city is wrecked, and the battle has become reminiscent of the fight over the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut, which was largely destroyed during nine months of fighting before Russian troops eventually captured it.
Avdiivka lies in the northern suburbs of Donetsk, a city in a region of the same name that Russian forces partially occupy. Avdiivka’s location grants Ukrainian forces artillery advantages over the city and could serve as a springboard for them to liberate Donetsk.
After intense artillery and aerial bombardments, Russian troops attacked the heavily fortified city from an additional direction and spread along the line of contact whereas before they attacked in columns, Vitalii Barabash, the head of Avdiivka’s military administration, said Friday.
The city is enduring up to 40 bombardments daily, he said.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Related Topics
News Related-
Indonesia's 3 presidential contenders vow peaceful campaigns ahead of next year election
-
Madagascar's main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election
-
UK government reaches a pay deal with senior doctors that could end disruptive strikes
-
Poland's president swears in a government expected to last no longer than 14 days
-
Hiam Abbass' Palestinian family documentary 'Bye Bye Tiberias' applauded at Marrakech Film Festival
-
Putin signs Russia's largest national budget, bolstering military spending
-
The spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry says Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend truce for two more days
-
Pope Francis getting antibiotics for lung problem, limiting appointments: Vatican
-
Tesla sues Swedish agency as striking workers stop delivering license plates for its new vehicles
-
Live updates | Israel-Hamas truce will be extended for 2 more days, Qatar says
-
Puerto Rico opposition party to hold gubernatorial primary
-
Beijing police investigate major Chinese shadow bank Zhongzhi after it says it's insolvent
-
Wilders ally overseeing first stage of Dutch coalition-building quits over fraud allegation
-
Central European interior ministers agree to step up fight against illegal migration at EU borders