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| Ukrainian Drones Attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol Port, Crimea |
Crimea - A Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Drone crashed into the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on Saturday morning (20/8/2022). The news was revealed by Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.
The low-flying UAV was seen approaching the city from the bay, but was only shot down once over the base. "The drone hit the roof of the building and caught fire," Razvozhayev said on Telegram. He added that Russian air defenses allow damage from drone strikes to be minimized. The governor said there were no casualties or significant damage from the attack, which he blamed on Ukraine.
Footage posted on social media showed plumes of thick black smoke emanating from the roof of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The headquarters was attacked by drones in late July, leaving six people injured and prompting the cancellation of Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol.
Shortly after the incident in Sevastopol, Crimea Governor Sergey Aksyonov said another drone had been shot down in the west of the peninsula. Crimea's aide to the governor of Crimea, Oleg Kryuckov, said on Telegram that the aim of the ongoing drone strikes was "not military, but psychological" because the UAVs only carry small payloads of explosives, they cannot cause extensive damage.
He advised residents to remain calm and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. There have also been several reports of air defenses being activated in various parts of Crimea due to the incoming UAVs on Friday.
On Tuesday, a temporary ammunition depot in northern Crimea was targeted in what Russia's Defense Ministry called an "act of sabotage." Last week, a fire and a series of explosions at Saki airfield in the west of the peninsula left one person dead and 14 others injured.