Moscow (Agencies): Russian air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed 12 US-made ATACMS tactical missiles aimed at the Crimean Bridge on Friday, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD). The MoD reported that the missiles were launched in a coordinated strike, but all were neutralized before reaching their target.
In a statement, the MoD said, “This night, air defenses repelled a group strike by twelve tactical US-made ATACMS missiles on the Crimean bridge. All missiles were destroyed.”
The MoD also provided an update on the ongoing conflict, noting significant losses for Ukrainian forces. Over the past week, Ukrainian troops have suffered heavy casualties in various regions:
- Up to 3,825 soldiers lost in operations against Russia’s Battlegroup Yug.
- Approximately 3,195 troops and four tanks lost in battles with Battlegroup Tsentr.
- Around 3,450 soldiers and six tanks lost in engagements with Battlegroup Zapad, which also repelled 12 Ukrainian counterattacks.
Additionally, Russia’s Battlegroup Sever is actively defending against Ukrainian attempts to breach Russian territory in the Kursk area, resulting in the loss of up to 2,765 Ukrainian soldiers. In the eastern region, Ukraine lost up to 770 soldiers in clashes with Battlegroup Vostok.
The MoD further announced the liberation of the settlement of Sergeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) by Russian forces.
This development underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the strategic importance of the Crimean Bridge for both sides.