KYIV: Ukraine claimed on Wednesday that its forces struck a Russian anti-aircraft system in the border region of Belgorod overnight, escalating its counteroffensive against Russian-controlled territories. Since the launch of Kyiv’s counteroffensive in June, Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions near the border have become increasingly frequent, involving drone strikes and shelling.
According to AFP news agency quoting an unnamed source in the Ukrainian Security Service, Ukrainian forces targeted a “strategic air defense system near the Russian city of Belgorod.” This marks the second Triumf system that Ukraine has struck in the past month, following an attack in Crimea in mid-September.
Russia, however, reported a different version of events. Its defense ministry stated that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles over the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions. The governor of Bryansk, Aleksandr Bogomaz, confirmed a drone attack in his region, causing partial destruction of residential households and outbuildings. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported.
Additionally, the Russian defense ministry claimed that its air force thwarted an attempt by a Ukrainian Armed Forces landing group to penetrate the territory of Crimea. The Ukrainians were reportedly heading towards Cape Tarkhankut on a high-speed military boat and three jet skis. Ukraine released video footage showing boats sailing towards Crimea and claimed to have engaged Moscow’s forces with gunfire.
Ukraine Consistently Target Crimea
Ukraine has consistently targeted Crimea throughout Russia’s offensive, with attacks on military installations intensifying recently as Kyiv vows to recapture the peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. Last month, Ukraine launched an unprecedented missile strike on the naval headquarters on the peninsula.
Moscow contested Kyiv’s claims, asserting that one Russian serviceman went missing during the attack, while Kyiv stated that the strike killed thirty-four officers, including fleet commander Viktor Sokolov. Moscow has since denied Kyiv’s claim and presented footage of the commander attending meetings, fueling the ongoing tension between the two nations.
