Russia, Ukraine exchange allegations of overnight airstrikes

(MENAFN) Russia and Ukraine exchanged allegations on Wednesday over a series of overnight aerial attacks, as tensions remained high on the eve of New Year’s celebrations.

According to official statements, authorities in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region reported that an overnight drone strike hit the port city of Tuapse, damaging an oil refinery and leaving two people injured. Regional officials said the wounded individuals were taken to hospital, stressing that their conditions were not serious. “The injured were hospitalized; their injuries are not life-threatening, and medical personnel are providing all necessary assistance,” the statement said. It also noted that windows were damaged in four apartment blocks and one private residence.

The same account reported additional damage at the port itself, where one berth was affected and a fire broke out before being brought under control. “A 300-square-meter fire at the oil refinery was also extinguished,” it added.

Meanwhile, Russian defense authorities claimed their air defense systems intercepted a large number of Ukrainian drones overnight, stating that 86 were shot down in total, including 56 over the Black Sea.

On the other side, Ukrainian emergency services reported injuries following overnight strikes in the southwestern Odesa region. Officials said at least six people were hurt, among them three children, after attacks that targeted regional infrastructure, including energy facilities, and struck a residential building.

In a statement, emergency responders said rescue teams evacuated residents from damaged buildings. “Firefighters rescued eight people, including one child … The facades and glazing of several multi-storey residential buildings were also damaged,” the statement added.

Separately, regional authorities in central Ukraine reported further casualties. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region said that an overnight drone strike in the settlement of Vasylkivka injured at least two people, who were hospitalized. He also cited damage to local infrastructure, including a power line.

Ukraine’s air force, for its part, stated that its air defenses intercepted most of the drones launched overnight, claiming that 101 out of 127 were shot down.

As stated by reports, verifying the accuracy of the competing claims from either side remains challenging due to the ongoing conflict.

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