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Wreckage of a Ukrainian drone destroyed by a Russian attack. Photo/Sputnik
“The attack destroyed a Ukrainian manufacturing facility involved in the production of the drones (UAVs) used by Kiev to carry out terrorist attacks against Russia,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The Russian defense ministry added: “Russian attacks also targeted places where drones were parked ready for action and where they were launched.”
“Strike goal achieved, Kiev’s plan to carry out a terrorist attack against Russia in the near future has been thwarted,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
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The head of the Ukrainian military Valery Zaluzhny said on Telegram that 20 missiles were fired at the country on Saturday from Russian long-range bombers and ground systems.
He claimed 12 of the 20 missiles had been shot down by Ukrainian air defences.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said one person was killed and 20 others injured in the attack. Several people were also injured in the towns of Nikolaev and Khmelnitsky, according to local authorities.
On December 5, Ukraine attempted to attack bases housing Moscow’s long-range bombers in the Saratov and Ryazan regions deep inside Russian territory.
According to the MoD, a modified “Soviet-made” jet drone used in the attacks on Engels and Dyagilevo bases was destroyed by the air defenses, but its debris ultimately killed three servicemen and “slightly” damaged two aircraft.
A similar attack on Engels airfield was again carried out from Kiev on 23 December.
The UAV was also shot down, but three soldiers sustained fatal injuries from the debris. According to Russian officials, no damage was done to the plane on the ground.
During the conflict, Ukraine has also used smaller drones to target the border areas between Russia and Crimea on numerous occasions.
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