Crimea: Eupatoria explosion - attack on Russian anti-aircraft defense system

Recent reports from the occupied Crimea show how dynamically the situation is developing in the region. Early in the morning, near the city of Eupathorium, witnesses reported a strong explosion that shook the surrounding houses. Information indicates that the target of the attack may have been a Russian anti-aircraft defense system.

Various sources, including local social media such as the Crimean Wieter, provided information on a suspected attack using drones to approach Eupatoria from the southwest. These messages were confirmed by the Ukrainian UNIAN agency.

On the night of Tuesday Wednesday, there was a successful attack on the shipyard in Sevastopol. As reported by a representative of Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), Andrij Jusov, two Russian naval units were damaged as a result of the actions: a landing and submarine.

The Russian Ministry of Defence informs of the shooting down of 11 drones of Ukrainian origin in Crimea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian-Tatar resistance organization, Atesh, makes it clear that she may have been involved in this incident.

This is not a single incident in this region. In the past year, especially since August 2022, The Crimea became the site of numerous explosions. Although Russian sources often attribute these incidents to anti-aircraft defense actions, the Ukrainian authorities are increasingly admitting to operations against Russian targets.

The background in Crimea is complicated. The peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014 after armed intervention and a referendum that was not recognised by the international community. Both Ukraine and international partners consider this to be a violation of international law.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz/PAP