Russia announced it had attacked key communications facilities and a series of important targets in Ukraine, while Kiev announced it had blocked Moscow’s attack.
“Russian tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and artillery hit special radio communication centers of the Main Directorate of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine and infrastructure at key airports, as well as gathering points of troops and equipment in 142 areas,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in its combat report today.
The location of the communications center and the extent of damage from the attack were not disclosed.
The Russian military announced on the same day that it had “liberated the village of Georgievka”, about 30 km west of the city of Donetsk, the capital of the Russian-controlled region of the same name. Georgievka is located south of the city of Krasnogorovka, which Moscow claimed to have captured last week, as the next step in its push towards the key Kiev-controlled stronghold of Kurakhove in Donetsk province.
Russian Su-34 aircraft launches guided missile at Ukrainian target in 2022. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
The Ukrainian Air Force previously claimed to have intercepted all 42 Shahed-136 suicide drones and a Kh-59/69 tactical cruise missile used by Russia in the early morning raid on September 19. However, the force appeared to have missed three Russian missiles launched from the S-300/400 air defense system targeting the Kharkiv province.
Ukrainian media reported several explosions in Kharkiv and Sumy provinces. Several explosions were also heard in the capital Kiev on the night of September 18 and early morning of September 19.
Russia and Ukraine have recently stepped up attacks on each other’s territory, including military bases and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that defense facilities are among the targets of Russian attacks, but have often been vague about the details when referring to them.
In addition to attacking targets deep inside enemy territory, Russia and Ukraine have also targeted areas near their borders. Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its fighter jets had used guided glide bombs to attack the Ukrainian command post in Kharkov, killing 80 soldiers and destroying eight armored vehicles.