Russian defense ministry says it downed 42 Ukrainian drones overnight

A Russian rescuer works in the courtyard of a residential building following a drone attack in Kazan, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 22 December 2024
Follow

Russian defense ministry says it downed 42 Ukrainian drones overnight

  • The heads of the Rostov and Bryansk regions said there were no casualties or damage after the latest drone attacks

MOSCOW: Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday its air defense systems destroyed 42 Ukrainian drones over five Russian regions during the night.
Twenty drones were shot down over the Oryol region, eight drones each were destroyed in the Rostov and Bryansk regions, five in the Kursk region and one over Krasnodar Krai, the ministry said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
One attack triggered a fire at a fuel infrastructure facility in the village of Stalnoi Kon, said Andrei Klychkov, the governor of Oryol.
“Fortunately, thanks to the quick response, the consequences of the attack were avoided — the fire was promptly localized and is now fully extinguished. There were no casualties or significant damage,” he said.
It was the second week in a row where fuel infrastructure facilities in Oryol have been attacked.
The heads of the Rostov and Bryansk regions said there were no casualties or damage after the latest drone attacks.
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.


Norway crown princess apologizes to king and queen over Epstein friendship

Updated 6 sec ago
Follow

Norway crown princess apologizes to king and queen over Epstein friendship

  • “I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in” Mette-Marit said
  • She previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment

OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized again on Friday for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, one of several scandals to hit the Nordic country’s monarchy.
“I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the King ⁠and Queen,” Mette-Marit said in a statement released by the royal palace.
New files related to Epstein published by the US Justice Department last week included extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit ⁠and Epstein after he was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
Mette-Marit, the spouse of Harald’s son Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment.
Norway’s prime minister on Monday said that Mette-Marit, and other prominent ⁠Norwegians who were named in the latest Epstein documents published, should provide more details about their involvement with Epstein.
Norway’s royal family is already dealing with several challenges. Marius, Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship predating her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is currently on trial for rape and domestic violence.