Explosions heard in Crimea, peninsula heavily attacked by drones
Russian soldiers in temporarily occupied Crimea (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Powerful explosions are heard in many cities in Crimea, with eyewitnesses reporting attacks and strikes on military airfields in Sevastopol and Novofedorivka, according to the Telegram channels Krymskyi Veter and the partisan movement ATESH.
According to eyewitnesses, around midnight Kyiv time, a powerful explosion occurred in the Feodosia area near the Crimean market. Later, public pages reported the launch of at least 15 drones from Cape Chauda.
At 00:41, a loud explosion was heard on the northern side of Sevastopol, and at 01:08, there was an explosion near the airport in Simferopol.
In Sevastopol, the Russian authorities reported the alleged downing of a drone. Eyewitnesses, however, report seeing drones flying over the city.
At 01:13 and 01:17, loud explosions were heard in the Hvardiiske area. Eyewitnesses also reported the activation of air defense systems.
According to eyewitnesses, drones are attacking the Kacha airfield in the northern part of Sevastopol.
There are also reports of gunfire and powerful explosions in the Saky and Dzhankoi districts.
At 01:46, eyewitnesses reported a possible strike on the Saky airfield in Novofedorivka, accompanied by strong flashes.
In Sevastopol, there were numerous explosions around the Kacha and Belbek airfields, with at least one confirmed strike.
Public channels have released a video showing the attack in the Sevastopol area.
The ATESH partisan movement reported that around 01:20, helicopters were spotted flying over Sevastopol in a northwest direction, likely to engage with Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicles (marine drones).
Agents of ATESH also observed the operation of Russian air defense systems in the Nakhimov district of Sevastopol.
Airstrikes on occupied Crimea
The Ukrainian Defense Forces regularly strike military targets in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Recently, the military destroyed a radar station of the S-400 Triumf air defense system near the town of Saky.
According to partisans, the Russian forces are chaotically relocating military equipment and air defense systems across the peninsula to avoid air strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Earlier, it was reported that families of senior officers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were being evacuated from Crimea.
