During the night of June 12 and early morning of June 13, many loud explosions were recorded on the Crimean peninsula, raising suspicions of a drone attack by Ukrainian forces.
According to some sources, at around 3am, residents in the city of Simferopol said they heard the explosions and the characteristic sound of drones.
Similar explosions were also reported in Yevpatoria, Sevastopol, Bakhchysarai, Feodosia, Alushta, Saky, Novofedorivka, Kacha and Kirovsky. The source said that air defense systems in many areas were activated as drones approached targets.
Preliminary reports suggest that drones may have targeted a number of key military targets, including airports in Saky, Hvardiiske and Kirovske. These locations have long been considered strategic military facilities of Russia in Crimea.
Although the Russian Defense Ministry did not directly comment on the series of explosions, a separate statement from the ministry said that from 9:45 p.m. on June 12 to 5:25 a.m. on June 13, Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a total of 125 Ukrainian drones. Of these, 70 were shot down over the Crimean peninsula and 7 others were disabled while operating in the Black Sea.
The incidents are said to be a continuation of a series of activities targeting the peninsula since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out. In recent days, Ukrainian forces have been linked with a shelling depot of Russia's 126 Coast Guard Brigade, near the village of Perevalne - also on the Crimean peninsula.
According to observers, the latest series of developments reflect Kiev's efforts to increase pressure on Russia's military infrastructure, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict and showing no signs of cooling down. The unexplained explosions in Crimea continue to increase tensions in a strategically sensitive area.
