Explosions reported near Sevastopol amid drone attack
Photo: Russian military in occupied Crimea (Getty Images)
Explosions were heard in the area of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, including in Kozacha Bay (Crimea), on the night of December 31. This occurred amid a drone attack and the operation of Russia's air defense systems, reports the Crimean Wind.
It was noted that the Russian forces' air defense systems were active in Kozacha Bay. Located 15 kilometers from the center of Sevastopol, Kozacha Bay is situated northwest of Cape Fiolent, between Komysheva Bay and Cape Fiolent.
Meanwhile, Mikhail Razvozhayev, so-called head of the city's occupation administration, stated on his Telegram channel that two drones had been allegedly shot down over the Black Sea area following a series of launches from a Pantsir-S1 system.
At the same time, social media reports indicated that something was exploding in Kozacha Bay near Sevastopol.
"Another loud explosion in Sevastopol at 1:18 AM (Moscow time -ed.), subscribers report. Explosions are heard from the sea, and Russian social media are saying that Sevastopol is under attack by marine drones. Again, a powerful explosion in Sevastopol, everything is shaking, subscribers report," Crimean Wind reported.
Later, the channel added that there were reports of the destruction of a Russian Tor air defense system in the Kozacha Bay area. However, this information has not yet been confirmed.
Kozacha Bay in the occupied Sevastopol area on the map (photo: google.com/maps/place)
Subsequently, a representative of the occupation administration of Sevastopol claimed that the loud noises heard in the city were related to "repelling an attempt by surface drones to attack."
Despite claims of the supposed neutralization of the marine UAVs, he wrote on Telegram that "according to preliminary information, one unmanned boat was destroyed."
Updated: Photo of explosion near Sevastopol appeared
Later, a photo of the explosion in the waters off Sevastopol appeared online. The image was shared by the Crimean Wind. Meanwhile, Russian public channels claim the footage allegedly shows an explosion caused by a sea drone.
Photo: Explosion near Sevastopol appeared
Updated: New explosion in Sevastopol
According to the Crimean Wind, another explosion occurred near Sevastopol around 1:30 AM (Moscow time), following a period of relative quiet.
Reports also suggest that several enemy helicopters were seen taking off.
Later, the Crimean Wind channel reported that another powerful explosion occurred near the occupied city of Sevastopol around 2:30 AM.
As a reminder, earlier, on December 11, there were reports of explosions in occupied Crimea. Social media posts mentioned a "strike" in the area of Ocheretiana or Kozacha Bay, and explosions were also reported in Sevastopol.
On December 6, explosions were heard in occupied Kerch. Local residents wrote online about an attack by marine drones. It was later revealed that Ukrainian Defense Forces' marine drones had broken through the Kerch Strait.
