Russia Accuses Ukraine Of Attacking Crimea With 38 Drones, Drones Intercepted, Destroyed

In the early hours of Sunday, Russian air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed all 38 drones launched by Ukraine towards the Crimean Peninsula, according to a statement from Russia’s defence ministry.

The incident, which sparked reports of powerful explosions in the port of Feodosia, raised questions about potential damage or casualties.

The Russian defence ministry, communicating through the Telegram messaging app, did not provide details regarding the impact of the drone attack.

Reports from Russian and Ukrainian social media had suggested Feodosia residents reported significant explosions around the seaport and an oil depot at approximately 2 a.m. local time on Sunday.

Although Reuters could not independently verify the reports of explosions, Russian-installed officials in Crimea earlier mentioned notable restrictions on road traffic near Feodosia.

Additionally, traffic on the bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian mainland experienced a temporary halt before resuming around 02 40 WAT.

The Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, has been a focal point in the two-year war between the two nations. Ukraine has increasingly utilized air and sea drone attacks on Russian military targets in the region, causing damage to ships, naval repair yards, and other strategic locations.

While the details of the recent incident remain unclear, Moscow relies on its Black Sea fleet to launch long-range strikes on Ukraine.

This area serves as a critical theatre for President Vladimir Putin, providing a springboard for projecting power into the Middle East and Europe.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has previously stated that his forces have successfully weakened Moscow’s military presence in the Black Sea. He believes that with increased support from Kyiv’s allies, Ukraine could secure ultimate victory over Russia.

There has been no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials on the recent drone attack near Crimea.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi