Russia says thwarted 73 Ukrainian drone attacks in 24 hours

Russia says its air defense has thwarted 73 drone attacks by the Ukrainian side in several regions in a space of 24 hours.

In 24 hours, Ukraine lost 73 drones, five HIMARS projectiles, two Su-25 planes and a stock of ammunition, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The air defense systems also intercepted a HARM anti-radar missile and a modified S-200 missile.

The Defense Ministry’s spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the navy struck a port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian armed forces with high-precision weapons, using sea-based long-range weapons.

In the Zaporozhye frontline, two US Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, two Stryker armored personnel carriers, four vehicles, three US M777 artillery systems and two British FH-70 howitzers were targeted.

One tank, two armored personnel carriers, two other vehicles, two D-20 howitzers and a Polish Krab self-propelled gun were destroyed along the Donetsk axis.

In Kherson, Ukraine’s losses amounted to three vehicles, and a US M777 system, among others.

In total, Russian troops repelled more than a dozen attacks.

Ukraine kicked off its counteroffensive in early June. The forces have suffered heavy material and human losses in the process.

MG