Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been left “almost completely defenceless” after Ukraine destroyed a second air defence system in just a few weeks, according to pro-war Russian channels.
Ukraine’s security services and navy used waves of drones and cruise missiles to disable a Russian S-400 “Triumf” air defence system in Yevpatoria, western Crimea last night. It took out another S-400 Triumf system on August 23 at Cape Tarkhankut.
Military Informant, a pro-Russian blogger, suggested Kyiv was laying the groundwork to strike targets, including warships docked at Sevastopol, with impunity.
It said: “Apparently, the Ukrainian armed forces are trying to purposefully thin out the air defence of Crimea for unhindered attacks on strategic targets… as well as ships of the Black Sea Fleet, which are almost completely defenceless without ground-based air defence cover.”
Kyiv damaged a Russian landing ship and submarine in Sevastopol yesterday, with the Institute for the Study of War think tank suggesting Ukraine is intensifying its campaign against targets on the occupied peninsula.
Follow the latest updates here.