Russian Defense Ministry Reports Failed Ukrainian Drone Attack on Crimea

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Ukraine's drone attack on Crimea was "unsuccessful" in the early hours of Tuesday, July 18. According to Reuters, the statement from the Russian Defense Ministry indicated that "Russian air defense destroyed 17 drones and intercepted 11 others." The ministry labeled the action as "terroristic" and stated that the attack resulted in "no damage or casualties." This attack occurred one day after an assault on the Crimean Bridge, which caused damage to the crossing and disrupted vehicle traffic. Ukrainian officials also reported that Russia conducted missile and drone strikes on southern and eastern Ukraine the previous evening, damaging infrastructure at the port of Odessa in the Black Sea. These attacks followed Russia's promise of retaliation after the explosion on the Crimean Bridge the day before. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, all six Kalibr missiles and 31 of the 36 drones launched were destroyed. The missiles and most drones were destroyed in the southern regions of Odessa and Mykolaiv, while the rest were eliminated in the eastern regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk. On Monday, an explosion that resulted in two deaths occurred on the Crimean Bridge. Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking this bridge, which is used for transporting military equipment to Crimea. The Ukrainian drone attack on Tuesday, July 18, came one day after the attack on the Crimean Bridge, which caused damage to this crossing and disrupted vehicle traffic. The Kerch Bridge was opened in 2018, facilitating road and rail travel between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow occupied in 2014. Crimea was annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014 but is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. If Russia withdraws, the Black Sea grain deal will end. Russian officials reported a "state of emergency" on the Crimean Peninsula bridge and the deaths of two individuals. Zelensky stated that Russia is doing everything to stop Ukraine's advance in the south.