Vladimir Putin has called Crimea a "sacred place" and a "holy land".[5][6] Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said in July 2022 that the consequence of an attack on Crimea will be that, "the Day of Judgment will come for all of them there at once. Very fast and heavy. It will be very difficult to hide".[7]
Timeline
2022
July
On the morning of 31 July, a drone with an explosive device attacked the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. Six people were injured. Due to the attack on the city, all festivities on the occasion of Navy Day were cancelled.[8] Ukrainian officials denied involvement in the attack, but pointed out the weakness of Russia's air defense system in Crimea.[9]
On 9 August, a series of large explosions occurred at the Saky airbase in the city of Novofedorivka, Crimea. Reportedly, one person was killed[10][11][12] and 13 were injured.[13] Seven planes were destroyed and three were damaged, according to satellite imagery.[14] The military base had been seized by Russian forces during the 2014 annexation of Crimea. At first Ukraine denied any responsibility with presidential aide, Mykhailo Podolyak saying "Of course not. What do we have to do with this?" Later, the commander of Ukrainian forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi claimed that it had been a Ukrainian rocket attack.[15]
On 16–17 August, the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly carried out a series of acts of sabotage in the Dzhankoi district at an ammunition depot near the village of Majskoye and at an electricity substation in Dzhankoi itself.[16] Two people were injured.[17] According to the mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, following the explosions, the occupying authorities of Crimea began an evacuation.[18] with around 2,000 people being reportedly evacuated.[17]Sergey Aksyonov, one of the heads of the Russian authorities in crimea, announced the containment of a zone with a radius of 5 km from the epicenter of the explosion and the evacuation of the population from this zone.[17]
On the morning of 21 August, explosions were heard in Sevastopol, Crimean authorities claimed that it was the work of air defense.[19] On the next day, explosions rang out again in the city, the occupation authorities announced that a drone had been shot down.[20] On 23 August, several explosions were heard, the anti-aircraft missile system also went off near the city, the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said that a drone was shot down over the sea.[21] On 26 August, the anti-aircraft defense system was activated in the village Novoozerne near Yevpatoria.[22]
September
On 7 September, several explosions rang out in Yevpatoria. The occupation authorities of the Russian Federation in the region announced the activation of air defense and the destruction of several drones.[23]
On 21 September, a maritime drone was discovered on Soldatsky Beach in Kozacha Bay, Sevastopol. It was examined, then towed out to sea and blown up.[24][25]
On 26 September, a series of explosions occurred in Yalta, Gurzuf and Simferopol, anti-air systems allegedly went off during the explosions.[26]
On 1 October, there were explosions at the Belbek military airport near Sevastopol, the air defense system allegedly shot down a drone in the area.[27] On 8 October at around 6:00 am, an explosion occurred on the Crimean bridge. It caused two lanes of the roadway to collapse and tanks on a train on the rail bridge to catch fire.[28] Later in the day a single lane for motor vehicles was opened with alternating directions and a ferry provided for heavy goods vehicles. Rail traffic also recommenced.[29] The attack on the bridge was claimed by Putin to be the reason for the October 2022 missile strikes on Ukraine. On 27 October, a power plant in Balaklava, Sevastopol region, was reportedly attacked, causing minor damage, no casualties were reported.[30]
On 29 October the Sevastopol Naval Base, occupied by Russia, was attacked by unmanned surface vehicles and aerial drones. According to the Russian TASS, at 4:20 am on 29 October, a strong explosion sounded, after which several more "claps" were heard. Videos began to circulate in Telegram channels showing black smoke over Sevastopol and explosions could be heard.[31] Nine UAVs and seven USVs took part in the attack, according to Russian officials.[32]GeoConfirmed analysts believe that between six and eight drones participated in the attack on Russian ships and that they hit at least three ships; two naval drones were most likely destroyed.[33] One of the ships that appeared to be damaged in videos was the Admiral Makarov, Russia's Black Sea Fleet new flagship, following the sinking of the Moskva.[34][35][36]
Following the attacks the Russian authorities shut down broadcast from the city's surveillance cameras, saying that they "give the enemy an opportunity to detect the city's defense systems",[37] and prohibited entry of boats into the Sevastopol Bay.[32] Russia accused Ukraine and the United Kingdom of being involved in the preparation of the attacks, with Russian representatives saying that the attack was "carried out under the leadership of British specialists who are in the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv region) of Ukraine", Russian authorities also claimed that the same unit of "British specialists" was involved in the "terrorist act in the Baltic Sea", when the gas pipelines "Nord Stream" and "Nord Stream - 2" were blown up.[38] The UK Ministry of Defence responded, saying Russia was "peddling lies on an epic scale".[39] After the attack, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative for four days.[30] Grain ships continued to sail from Ukraine despite the Russian announcement.[40] Before these events, Ukraine had warned about possible Russian plans to withdraw from the agreement.[41]
November
On 22 November, several explosions were reported on Sevastopol, witnesses reported that anti-air systems activated, maritime traffic had to be stopped as a result. local officials later reported that two drones had been destroyed during the alleged attack, and that another attack had been repelled over the Black Sea, no casualties or significant damage were reported.[42]
December
On 10 December, explosions were reported in Sevastopol, and anti-air systems reportedly activated.[43] On 30 December, explosions were reported yet again in Sevastopol, anti-air systems and Russian planes reportedly intercepted a rocket over the sea.[44]
2023
January
On 2 January, explosions were reported in Sevastopol, anti-air systems activated and two drone were reportedly destroyed over the sea, according to Russian authorities.[45] On 3 January, explosions were reported again in Dzhankoi, anti-air systems reportedly activated, witnesses also reported the destruction of some type of "target".[46] On 15 January, more explosions were reported in Sevastopol, anti-air systems activated and allegedly destroyed one drone above the Sevastopol Bay, according to local authorities.[47]
February
On 3 February 2023, the United States government announced an aid package for Ukraine that would include the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), which can be launched out of existing Ukraine-operated HIMARS or MLRS launchers (or out of its own launcher) to hit Russian targets that had been moved out of GMLRS range. The GLSDB almost doubles the range that Ukraine could previously target with these launchers (150 km (93 mi) vs 85 km (53 mi) with GMLRS).[48] This "will put all of Russia's supply lines in the east of [Ukraine] within reach, as well as part of Russian-occupied Crimea", according to Reuters.[49] "Russia is using Crimea as a big military base from which it sends reinforcements for its troops on the southern front," said Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Musiyenko. "If we had a 150km (munition), we could reach that and disrupt the logistical connection with Crimea."[49] It has been speculated that the GLSDB might allow Ukraine to target the Dzhankoi airfield in northern Crimea,[50] described as the logistics hub of the Russian army.[51]Dzhankoi is a critical rail and road hub in the supply network Russia has been using in its attack on Ukraine[52] and, along with its surrounding areas, has been described as the largest Russian military base in Crimea.[53] Ukraine holds the territory across the Dnieper River from Nova Kakhovka[54] (close to where the North Crimean Canal begins).[55] The distance between Nova Kakhovka and Dzhankoi is 141 km (88 mi).[56] It has also been estimated that if Ukraine were able to advance to Prymorsk on their southern coast, this would put the Crimean Bridge over the Kerch Strait within range of the GLSDB.[57] This bridge constitutes the main supply route for Russian military bases in Crimea and for Russian forces in southern Ukraine.[58][52]
March
Explosions were heard in the occupied Simferopol district on 4 March, a drone was reportedly downed over the village of Hvardiiske, there was no official confirmation of the reports by local authorities.[59]
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said on 20 March that that Russian "Kalibr-KN" cruise missiles being transported by train in Dzhankoi were destroyed in a missile strike in Russian-occupied Crimea, the attack also severely damaged the railway system in the region.[60] The Russian-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, confirmed there was a strike and the region's air defense system was activated.[61][62] Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to Aksyonov, claimed that the drone attack was aimed at civilian targets.[63] Local authorities declared a state of emergency after the attack. [64]
On 22 March, explosions were reported overnight in Sevastopol Bay, electricity allegedly went down as a result of these explosions, civilians reported hearing several "shots" and explosions over the bay during the night and morning, it was alleged that these loud sounds were the result of a drone attack, local telegram channels reported possible attack by UAVs and USVs, with one UAV allegedly downed; maritime traffic was interrupted after the alleged attack.[65]
April
Satellite images taken on 25 April 2023 of a Russian military base in Medvedivka, Dzhankoi District, showed that armoured vehicles and artillery present in this area in October 2022 and in January 2023 were no longer present. Experts have surmised that this may be related to defensive operations ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.[66][67]
Ukrainian forces likely attacked an oil storage facility in Kozacha Bay, Sevastopol on 29 April.[68] The resulting fire was said by occupation governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev to have extended over 1,000 square meters.[68] Footage showed a large fire at the storage facility.[69][70] The Ukraine military warned that this was a prelude to a much-anticipated spring offensive.[71]
May
On 11 May 2023 it was announced that the U.K. was sending "a number" of Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine. This weapon has an official range "exceeding" 250 km (160 mi).[72][73] While this falls short of the 300 km (190 mi) range of the U.S. made ATACMS,[74] it would allow a Storm Shadow missile fired by Ukraine from an aircraft flying above the city of Kherson to reach Russia's Sevastopol Naval Base in southern Crimea, home of Russia's Black Sea Fleet[75] (distance 245 km (152 mi)).[76]
June
On 22 June 2023, a Ukrainian missile damaged the Chonhar bridge, an important road bridge linking Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland.[77]
On 17 July 2023, the Crimean Bridge linking Crimea with mainland Russia was again attacked, this time by two exploding drone boats. At least one of the road sections collapsed. Two people were reportedly killed.[78] Ukraine later acknowledged it carried out the attack.[79]
Two days later, there was a fire and numerous explosions at a Russian ammunition depot near Staryi Krym, forcing the evacuation of four villages and the closure of the nearby Tavrida Highway. There were unconfirmed reports that it was caused by Ukrainian strikes.[80] On 22 July, another Russian ammunition depot was struck by drones in Krasnohvardiiske Raion, forcing the evacuation of a five-kilometer radius.[81]
A Ukrainian exploding drone boat severely damaged the Russian tanker Sig in the Kerch Strait on 5 August.[83] On 5 August 2023, the tanker was reported to have been the target of a naval drone attack by Ukrainian forces in the Black Sea 17 kilometres (11 mi) south of the Crimean Bridge which damaged the engine room on the starboard side.[citation needed]
On 23 August, the Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian S-400 missile system on Cape Tarkhankut, Crimea. A modified R-360 Neptune missile was used in the strike.[84] It is reported that several Russian military personnel were killed.[85]
On 24 August, Ukraine's Independence Day, the HUR announced that Air Force and Navy intelligence were involved in a special operation near the towns of Mayak and Olenivka on the Tarkhankut Peninsula, which saw a seaborne landing and airborne deployment of Ukrainian personnel on Crimea. The HUR announced that all objectives of the operation were completed, Russian forces suffered casualties, and that the Ukrainian state flag was once again flown over the Crimean peninsula.[86][87][88]
The following day, the Ukrainian military, together with the SBU, launched a drone strike on the 126th Coastal Defence Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Perevalne, reportedly inflicting "dozens" of casualties.[89][90]
September
Ukrainian military intelligence said on 11 September that Ukrainian special forces had captured several oil and gas drilling platforms off the western Crimean coast, that had been occupied and fortified by Russia since 2015. Among the facilities retaken were the Boyko Towers and the 'Tavryda' and 'Syvash' mobile rigs. According to Ukrainian sources, a Russian Su-30 fighter jet tried to sink the Ukrainian assault boats, but was struck by a Ukrainian MANPAD, forcing it to withdraw. Ukrainian forces also seized ammunition and a radar system from the platforms.[91]
On 13 September a Ukrainian strike on Russia's Sevastopol Naval Base damaged two Russian warships. According to a number of sources, the strike was carried out using Storm Shadow cruise missiles,[92][93][94] which are designed to penetrate deeply into their targets and inflict maximum damage in a two-phase process.[95] Experts have concluded from photographs that the Minsk, a large Ropucha-class landing ship, was damaged beyond repair.[96][97] Also damaged was the Rostov-on-Don, a $300M Kilo-class submarine.[98]
Aftermath of Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters
On 22 September, Ukraine launched a missile strike on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol Naval Base.[99] The building was reportedly struck by Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Ukraine's intelligence agencies reported that the strike, which it codenamed "Operation Crab Trap", killed 34 officers and wounded at least 100 other Russian servicemen.[100][101][102][103] Three days later, Russian authorities announced that they would demolish the damaged headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet.[104]
On 30 October, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed Russian air defense systems in a missile attack on Crimea. Russian milbloggers said that two missiles fell near Olenivka.[106] The attack was believed to have targeted an S-300 missile battery, and injured about 17 Russian soldiers.[107]
November
On 4 November, Ukraine launched a missile strike on the Zalyv Shipbuilding yard in Kerch, Crimea, hitting a dry dock and reportedly damaging the Russian cruise missile carrier Askold.[108]
Russia claimed to have shot down 35 Ukrainian drones over Crimea on 5 December.[110] Ukrainian media reported that an oil terminal in Feodosia, a Nebo-M radar system near Baherove, as well as a Russian military helicopter yard, a radar complex, and an anti-aircraft missile control system were damaged in the attacks.[111]
On 29 December, a Russian Tarantul-class corvette was struck by a Ukrainian drone whilst in harbour at Sevastopol. On 20 January 2024, satellite images confirmed its sinking.[112]
2024
January
On 4 January 2024, Ukraine said it had hit two Russian military targets in Crimea.[113]
On 6 January, the Ukrainian Air Force said it had destroyed a Russian command center at Saky airbase.[114]
On 31 January 31 the Ukrainian Air Force said it launched a missile strike on Belbek airbase, damaging three Russian military aircraft.[115][116]
On 5 March, the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov, along with an on-board helicopter, was sunk by Ukrainian naval drones near the Kerch Strait. The HUR said that seven Russian crewmen were killed.[119] The Crimean bridge was closed to traffic due to Ukrainian air drones and sea drones attacking Kerch.[120]
The Ukrainian military launched a "massive" missile attack on Sevastopol Naval Base on 23 March.[121] A Black Sea Fleet communications center was struck by three Storm Shadow missiles.[122] Ukraine's military said the strikes damaged three Russian landing ships: the Yamal, the Azov, and the Konstantin Olshansky. The spy ship Ivan Khurs was also reportedly damaged.[123]
On April 17 Ukrainian missiles struck Dzhankoi airbase in Crimea causing at least six explosions and multiple secondary explosions to be reported by locals[124] while NASA FIRMS imagery showed six fires there. Subsequent satellite pictures showed the destruction of three to five S-300/S-400 components and other areas marked with "scorch marks" that suggested equipment that had been damaged but removed. Ukraine subsequently released footage of multiple missiles being launched at the air base.[125]
In the early hours of the 15 May, Ukraine launched a missile strike against Belbek airbase reportedly destroying two MiG-31 fighter jets on the ground, igniting a fire at a fuel and lubricant depot serving the airbase and wounding 11 soldiers. A subsequent strike then destroyed the launcher component of an S-400 air defence system near the village of Vyshneve (about 70km from Belbek) killing two Russian soldiers. The Russian-appointed Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev stated that American-made ATACMS missiles were used in the strike but said that all missiles were successfully intercepted by Russian air defences.[126]
June
On 23 June, Ukraine launched an ATACMS missile bombardment towards Sevastopol. Missile fragments hit a beach, killing four people and injuring 151 others. Russia held the United States responsible and vowed that there will be a response.[127]
^Engineering Director & Chief Engineer, Paul E. Turner. "Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems"(PDF). US Army Precision Fires Rocket & Missile Systems Project Office. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
