In Ukraine, the war of Russian aggression continues as the larger and more powerful country continues its invasion of the smaller, more fledgling nation. On August 20, a Russia-installed administrator reported that a drone attack hit the Russian-occupied Crimean site of the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, a small victory for Ukraine.
It was the second time the fleet’s headquarters had been attacked by a drone. In late July, Sevastopol canceled its celebrations to mark Russia's Navy Day holiday after a bomb dropped by a drone injured six people. https://t.co/i8Y7nmgdep
— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) August 20, 2022
The drone hit the roof of the headquarters in Crimea, according to photos posted on Telegram. Occupation official Oleg Kryuchkov said that the explosions were smaller and meant as more a psychological weapon than one that can cause significant damage. Kryuchkov also reported that the drones strikes are ongoing.
According to Radio Free Europe:
‘Local media reported anti-aircraft activity near the western Crimean town of Yevpatoria, the southern town of Bakhchysaray, and the Crimean capital, Simferopol, on August 20. The incidents came just one day after Moscow confirmed that Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov had taken over as commander of the fleet in the wake of a spate of setbacks.’
***BREAKING***
Developing situation, pending updates and clarity
Attack on #Russian Navy headquarters today appears to have been carried out by a weaponized commercially acquired drone. Similar attacks have been made in high-value targets in Russia previously #Ukraine #OSINT pic.twitter.com/0mHmFXEnoj
— H I Sutton (@CovertShores) August 20, 2022
The Russian-installed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, reported having shot down drones attacking the building where headquarters are located, saying that no casualties or damage have been done by the drones. Regardless, the Ukrainian military is keeping quiet on the source of the drone strikes.
‘Ukrainian officials have avoided publicly claiming responsibility for the explosions, but an unnamed senior Ukrainian official was quoted in The New York Times as saying an elite Ukrainian military unit operating behind enemy lines was carrying out at least some of the attacks.’
The headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet was hit by a drone early Saturday, Russian officials say. https://t.co/2diOON5a55
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 20, 2022
Fighting in the area of Crimea has ramped up in recent days, and the drone strike is the second such incident since June. Russian shelling in the area has wounded 12 people, including three children, two of whom are said to be in critical condition. The area is one of great concerns for officials on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides.
‘Voznesensk is about 30 kilometers from the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant, the second largest in Ukraine. There were no reports of any damage to the nuclear plant.’
Russian authorities are visibly increasing security measures in Crimea, say experts, as reports of drone attacks in Crimea, including one attempt on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, were made Saturday. https://t.co/sm64j8XdQJ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 20, 2022
