Russia continues strikes on Odesa port, downs 381 Ukrainian drones overnight PHOTO

Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 381 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over Russian regions overnight, the country’s Defence Ministry announced.

The drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov and Tula regions. Additional interceptions were reported over the Moscow and Krasnodar regions, as well as over the waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. 

Earlier, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that more than 400 Ukrainian drones had flown towards the Moscow region between 20:30 Moscow time on July 19 and 05:00 Moscow time on July 20. He said 85 of them were destroyed while approaching the capital, while most were eliminated by air defences at long distances.

A missile threat was declared twice in the region overnight.

Amid the threat, Moscow airports introduced temporary restrictions. Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports operated arrivals and departures with coordination, while Zhukovsky airport completely suspended flights. Later, restrictions were lifted at Domodedovo, while Zhukovsky resumed operations under coordinated procedures.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry said Russian forces continued strikes on Ukrainian ports.

“High-precision air-launched weapons and loitering munitions struck fuel and lubricant storage facilities in the port of Odesa intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the ministry stressed.

Ukraine, meanwhile, reported that Russia launched an overnight attack on July 20 using two Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles and 94 strike drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, Bandrol and Parody-type decoy drones.

According to preliminary data from Ukraine’s Air Force, air defence forces intercepted or suppressed 81 Russian drones of various types across the north, south and east of the country.

A missile strike and nine attack drones were recorded hitting nine locations. Another missile failed to reach its target.

“The attack continues, several Russian UAVs are in the airspace. Follow safety rules!” the Ukrainian military said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada