Ukraine sinks two Russian landing boats in Crimea, military says
On November 10, as reported by Ukraine's military intelligence, Ukrainian naval drones struck two small Russian landing boats in Crimea, leading to their sinking. The specific location of the attack was Vuzka Bay in western Crimea. This event's details, including the destruction of an Akula class vessel and a Serna class, were not independently verified by Reuters, and Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, did not immediately comment.
According to the Ukrainian military, these ships, equipped with crew and armored vehicles, represented a significant loss for Russia due to their role in transporting tactical landing forces and equipment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has indicated that such attacks are weakening Russia's naval capabilities in the region, with reports of some Russian vessels leaving Sevastopol.
In Eastern Ukraine, particularly in Avdiivka, there's an expectation of increased Russian military activity. Avdiivka has been under Russian bombardment since mid-October. Despite heavy rain, officials anticipate further advancements on the town. Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivka's military administration, reported constant enemy fire in the city and around Ukrainian positions. With worsening weather conditions, Russian forces have started using drones to target smoke from makeshift stoves, causing increased evacuation plans among the significantly reduced local population.
Military analysts suggest that Russia is attempting to capitalize on Ukraine's focus on Avdiivka by reclaiming territories near Bakhmut, which was seized in May but has seen Ukrainian forces recapturing nearby villages since then. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the south and east in June 2022, facing strong resistance.
Russia's Defense Minister announced on Saturday that its anti-aircraft units had downed Ukrainian drones near Moscow and Smolensk, close to the Belarusian border. Unofficial Russian sources reported a downed drone near a plant in Kolomna and a fire at an explosives factory in Kotovsk, though these incidents' connections to the defense ministry's reports remain unverified.