Ukraine has targeted a Russian military command post and a separate military unit in the occupied Crimea region, marking another significant strike in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. According to reports, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) carried out a strike near the city of Sevastopol, a key strategic location and the base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, around 3 p.m. local time. The strike reportedly took place on Thursday and was followed by explosions and air raid sirens heard in the area, including near the city of Yevpatoria and the Kerch Strait.
Mykola Oleshchuk, the Ukrainian Air Force Commander, praised the operation, expressing his gratitude to the pilots and planners involved in the “perfect combat work.” He shared an image on social media that depicted smoke rising from the area identified as Sevastopol.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that its forces foiled a Ukrainian attack but refrained from commenting directly on the explosions near Yevpatoria. Instead, the ministry claimed that its air-defense units had shot down a total of 36 Ukrainian drones over Crimea. Additionally, Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, said that air defenses destroyed ten Ukrainian missiles over the peninsula. He reported that debris struck houses and fell into the streets, leading to the injury of at least one person and the evacuation of nearly 100 people, including children, from a village near Sevastopol.
On the ground, a correspondent reported hearing approximately ten explosions in Sevastopol around 5:15 p.m. local time, preceded by the sound of rocket launches.
This strike comes amid a backdrop of increasing tensions and exchanges of attacks. Kyiv has repeatedly targeted military installations in Crimea since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Russia has conducted significant missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory, killing and injuring civilians. In retaliation, Ukraine carried out attacks in southern Russia, with officials in the Belgorod region stating that 25 people were killed.
The international community has shown concern over the intensification of the conflict. The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, recently disclosed declassified intelligence indicating that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles. Some of these missiles were reportedly fired into Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed confidence on January 3 that Ukraine will continue to receive the international aid it needs.”Ukraine will always fight with the resources given to it. And…what is given to Ukraine is not charity. It’s an investment in the protection of NATO and in the protection of the prosperity of the American people.”
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine Strikes Russian Command Post and Military Unit in Crimea
– Ukraine Says It Hit Russian Command Post, Military Unit On Crimea
– Military: Ukrainian strike hits Russian command post in Crimea