In a significant escalation of its aerial capabilities, Ukraine has reportedly conducted its most extensive drone assault on Russian soil, with reports indicating a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting crucial military and energy sites across multiple regions. The alleged operation, striking at the heart of Russia’s logistical hubs in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, marks a bold strategic shift and underscores the increasingly sophisticated nature of Ukraine’s resistance.
According to statements from Russia’s Defense Ministry, its forces intercepted a substantial number of UAVs across four regions, including Crimea, the Krasnodar region, and the Kursk region, with the total figure surpassing a hundred. Additionally, naval drones were reported to have been neutralized in the Black Sea. Despite Russia’s claims of countering the attack, reports from independent sources suggest that the UAVs inflicted considerable damage.
Particularly striking were the assaults on Novorossiysk and neighboring areas, where explosions rocked oil depots and terminals. Residents reported upwards of 35 detonations causing widespread power outages, a testament to the reach and impact of the drone strikes. Videos purportedly depicting the blasts circulated online, conveying the intensity of the onslaught, although these could not be independently verified.
In Sevastopol, the administrative center of Crimea, drone debris was said to have damaged a substation, triggering partial blackouts and necessitating energy conservation measures. The city reportedly resorted to suspending educational activities and curtailing public transport services to cope with the aftermath.
The operations, which Russian sources described as causing ‘local fires’ and resulting in no casualties, were reported as joint efforts by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and military intelligence (GUR). An anonymous Ukrainian intelligence source was quoted saying, “Today’s operation proved that the Russians are unable to protect their main naval bases in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.”
These developments come amid Ukraine’s increased focus on targeting Russian warships in occupied Crimea, which has dealt significant blows to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The UK Ministry of Defence noted earlier in the year that a quarter of Russia’s Black Sea vessels had been sunk or damaged, rendering the fleet “functionally inactive.”
The ambitious aerial campaign coincides with ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, as the latter has ramped up its offensive in Ukraine’s northeast. Ukrainian forces are facing a renewed Russian push in the region, with concerns mounting over the potential fall of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine appears to have launched its biggest drone attack ever, with reports of explosions at two major Russian ports, businessinsider.com, 05/18/2024
– Russians Plunged into Darkness After Monster Drone Attack, Yahoo News UK, 05/17/2024
– Ukraine war latest: Moscow accuses West of being responsible for attacks in Russia; two dead in airstrike on major city, Sky News, 05/17/2024
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