In a significant escalation of drone warfare, Ukraine launched a major attack on Russian territory on July 23, 2024, with the port of Kavkaz in the Krasnodar region being a primary target. According to Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, the attack on a cargo ship in the port resulted in one death and several injuries among crew members and port workers. The incident also caused a fire, which was subsequently contained by emergency services.Simultaneously, Russian air defense systems claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 25 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 21 of them reportedly shot down over Crimea and the Black Sea. Additional drones were reportedly destroyed over the Bryansk and Belgorod regions. The Russian Ministry of Defense characterized these drone incursions as attempted ‘terrorist attacks’ on Russian territory.On the Ukrainian side, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Nikolai Oleschuk, reported that Russia launched one guided missile and 8 attack drones, including the Shahed type, targeting the Sumy region. Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down 7 of these drones, while the missile reportedly failed to reach its target due to countermeasures.This latest round of attacks underscores the growing importance of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict. The port of Kavkaz, being Russia’s fifth-largest by cargo turnover and strategically located near the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting mainland Russia to Crimea, represents a significant target. The attack led to temporary closure of the bridge, causing substantial disruptions.As tensions continue to escalate, both sides are increasingly relying on unmanned aerial vehicles for both offensive and defensive operations. The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence and its potential implications for regional stability.
Key points
- Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian port of Kavkaz, resulting in one death and several injuries.
- Russia claims to have destroyed 25 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily over Crimea and the Black Sea.
- Both sides report ongoing drone and missile attacks, highlighting the escalating use of unmanned warfare.
- The attack on Kavkaz port, a strategically important location, caused significant disruptions including temporary closure of the Kerch Strait Bridge.
Contradictions👾While most sources report 25 Ukrainian drones destroyed by Russia, one source claims Russia destroyed 85 Ukrainian drones the previous day, showing potential discrepancies in reported figures.
