Ukrainian defense forces have destroyed a significant Russian space surveillance and communications center located in occupied Crimea, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on June 28. This center is a crucial part of Russia’s satellite communications and navigation system.
The Defense Ministry did not specify the exact date of the attack, but it highlighted the center’s importance to Russian military operations. The strike is part of a broader effort by Ukraine to disrupt Russian military infrastructure in the region.
A series of explosions occurred overnight on June 23 in several locations across Crimea, including the town of Yevpatoria and the village of Vityne. Neither Ukrainian nor Russian officials commented on these explosions at the time.
Satellite images released by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s investigative project Schemes the following day revealed signs of fires at a military facility in Vityne. This location is home to the 40th Separate Command and Measurement Complex, a long-range space communications center operated by Russia’s Aerospace Forces.
Ukraine has conducted multiple successful attacks against Russian targets in occupied Crimea in recent months. These operations have significantly weakened the Russian Black Sea Fleet and other military assets on the peninsula.
On June 17, the Ukrainian military reported that its forces had struck approximately 15 Russian air defense systems in Crimea over the past two months. Additionally, over 15 radar stations and more than 10 control centers on the peninsula were reportedly hit, further degrading Russia’s defensive capabilities.
This latest attack on the space communications center represents a strategic blow to Russia’s military infrastructure in Crimea, complicating its ability to conduct operations and maintain control over the region.
Meanwhile, other developments continue to unfold in the region. The Ukrainian Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation has warned of potential Russian psychological operations aimed at causing mass panic in Ukraine by suggesting that Belarusian troops might join the conflict.
In a related development, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry praised Google for adding the Crimean Tatar language to its Translate service. This move recognizes the cultural and linguistic heritage of Ukraine’s indigenous people, highlighting the ongoing importance of cultural preservation amid the conflict.
Despite these military and cultural developments, the humanitarian impact of the conflict remains severe. Recent Russian attacks in Donetsk Oblast have resulted in civilian casualties, underscoring the ongoing suffering caused by the war. The Ukrainian government continues to document and respond to these incidents as part of its broader efforts to defend its territory and protect its people.
