A series of loud explosions shattered the night across Russian occupied Crimea, with major blasts reported in Simferopol, Sevastopol, and Gvardiyske. According to Ukrainian sources and local eyewitness accounts cited by UNN, a major drone offensive struck several targets, including the strategically important Kacha airfield near Sevastopol.
The Ukrainian resistance group ATESH, known for its sabotage operations, reported unusual helicopter activity flying northwest over Sevastopol shortly after the strikes began. The helicopters were likely deployed in a rush to locate and intercept Ukrainian unmanned naval boats, known as BECs, that may have been operating in the area. The group added that continuous explosions echoed from the direction of the Kacha military base.
No official response has been issued by the Russian occupation authorities in Crimea or Sevastopol regarding the incident. However, recent military manoeuvres suggest that the occupying forces had anticipated such an attack.
Just a day earlier, Russian troops in Crimea were put on full combat readiness and reinforced near the Crimean bridge, a critical military and logistical link between mainland Russia and the annexed peninsula. These movements came amid a notable uptick in Russian military exercises and artillery drills on the peninsula.
Crimea has long been a launchpad for Russian missile strikes aimed at Ukraine. The peninsula’s proximity to southern Ukrainian cities allows missiles to reach their targets in less time, making it a key staging ground for the Russian military.
