KYIV: Ukraine said on Friday that its missile forces conducted a strike on a Russian military airfield in Crimea, which has been used for long-range attacks against Ukraine. This latest strike is part of a series of recent assaults targeting the Russian military on the occupied peninsula.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range attacks on Crimea in recent months. The Ukrainian military claims that the Russian Black Sea Fleet, headquartered in Sevastopol, has been forced to relocate its combat vessels to safer locations.
According to the Ukrainian military’s general staff, the Russian Saky airfield in western Crimea was the latest target. The statement noted that this airfield is crucial for Russia’s control of the airspace, including the Black Sea, and for launching airstrikes on Ukrainian territory.
The statement did not specify the type of weapon used but confirmed that the attack involved Ukraine’s missile forces and other contingents. No immediate response has been received from Russia’s defense ministry or local officials appointed by Moscow.
Nearly two and a half years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has claimed responsibility for targeting several Russian air defense systems in Crimea, including S-300 and S-400 units.
Earlier this week, Ukraine reported significant damage to Russia’s last freight ferry capable of transporting rail carriages from Krasnodar to Crimea, which was reportedly used for military purposes. The strike on the ferry has also led to Russia withdrawing all its warships from the Azov Sea.
Ukraine claims to have destroyed or damaged 27 Russian warships in the Black Sea and near Crimea since the onset of the conflict. Earlier this month, a Ukrainian navy spokesperson stated that Russia’s last naval patrol ship had been seen leaving the peninsula.
