Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and neutralized all 38 drones launched by Ukraine towards the Crimean Peninsula early Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed this after reports of explosions in Feodosia circulated on Ukrainian and Russian social media.
The Defense Ministry’s statement on the Telegram messaging app did not mention any damage or casualties resulting from the incident.
Earlier, officials appointed by Russia in Crimea had reported significant restrictions on road traffic near Feodosia. The bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian mainland was temporarily closed but later reopened around 0140 GMT, according to officials in Crimea communicating via Telegram.
Reports circulating on Russian and Ukrainian social media indicated that residents of Feodosia reported hearing powerful explosions near the seaport and an oil depot around 2 a.m. local time on Sunday (2300 GMT on Saturday).
However, Reuters could not independently confirm these reports, and there was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials.
The Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The Black Sea, which borders the peninsula, has also become a significant theater in the two-year war.
Ukraine’s intensified drone attacks, both from the air and sea, targeting Russian military installations have resulted in damage to ships and naval repair yards in the port of Sevastopol, along with strikes on other strategic targets.
Moscow utilizes its Black Sea fleet to conduct long-range strikes on Ukraine. However, for President Vladimir Putin, these waters, which link to the Mediterranean Sea, serve as a crucial platform for projecting power into the Middle East and Europe.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine has asserted that his forces have effectively weakened Moscow’s military presence in the Black Sea. He believes that with increased support from Kyiv’s allies, this could pave the way for Ukraine’s eventual triumph over Russia.