Ukrainian forces launched a series of ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) ballistic missile strikes on Russian air bases in Crimea early Friday morning. Explosions reportedly resulted in casualties, widespread fires, and substantial damage to key military infrastructure, according to multiple reports and social media sources.
Local Telegram channels reported that the strikes targeted the Saky air base in western Crimea, where an ammunition depot and a radar station were reportedly destroyed. Video footage from the area showed flames, with secondary explosions continuing to erupt after the initial impact.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
There was an attack against occupied Crimea during the night. The footage shows the location of the Saki airfield in Novofedorovka
Locals suggest an ammunitions depot may have been hit, but the consequences of the attack are not known at this stage. pic.twitter.com/3HDY3S1NXE— Cuntasorus Flex🇺🇦🇺🇸 #muga NAFO (@warrior_na92602) July 26, 2024
The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed the attack on the Saky airbase, which has been used by Russian forces for launching airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. The strikes were part of a coordinated effort involving the Rocket Troops of Ukraine and other defense units. At least two massive explosions were reported around 3 a.m. local time at the Saky base near Novofedorivka.
Independent Russian journalists with the Astra Telegram channel reported that four U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles were used in the attack, resulting in injuries to two Russian servicemen. The blasts targeted an ammunition depot at the air base and a radar station at a nearby Russian air defense site.
Pro-Ukrainian sources, including the military information platform Krymsky Veter, confirmed that an aircraft ammunition depot was destroyed in the attack. The subsequent fires caused air-to-air missiles stored in bunkers to ignite and fly uncontrollably, further compounding the chaos.
Despite the severity of the strikes, the Russian Defense Ministry has not issued immediate comments on the incident.
Russian military bloggers, including the popular FighterBomber, criticized the Kremlin’s military leadership for failing to anticipate and prevent the attacks. They pointed to recent NATO reconnaissance flights, including a mission by a Royal Air Force RC-135W spy plane, which likely gathered intelligence on Russian positions in Crimea.
Expanded Coverage:
