Ukrainian Drone Strikes and Russian Interception Highlights
Location: Crimea, Black Sea, Krasnodar Krai, Volgograd Oblast, Astrakhan Oblast, Bryansk Oblast, Republic of Adygea, Tambov Oblast, Russia
Date: Overnight from June 20-21, 2023
Key Details:
Russian Defense Ministry Actions:
- Russia intercepted and destroyed 114 Ukrainian drones.
- Russian air defenses shot down 70 drones over Crimea and the Black Sea, 43 over Krasnodar region, and one over Volgograd.
- Naval aviation destroyed six unmanned boats from the Ukrainian Navy.
- A drone strike in Krasnodar led to the death of an employee at a heating station.
Ukrainian Military Operations:
- Ukrainian drones attacked Russian infrastructure, including refineries and military sites.
- Targets included the Afipskyi, Ilskyi, Krasnodarskyi, and Astrakhan oil refineries.
- Additional strikes hit radar stations and electronic intelligence centers in Crimea and Bryansk Oblast.
- The 167th training center at the Yeysk military airfield storing Shahed drones was targeted, leading to several explosions.
Statements and Reactions:
- Russia described the attacks as a "terrorist" act.
- Ukraine confirmed coordination between its Armed Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on these operations.
- South Korea summoned Russia's ambassador due to tensions over a defense pact with North Korea, leading to warnings from President Vladimir Putin to South Korea against aiding Ukraine militarily.
The full implications of these attacks continue to be assessed.