A drone strike on Saturday targeted the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol without causing injuries, the governor of that city on the annexed Crimea peninsula, Mikhail Razvojayev, said. “The drone was shot down right over the fleet headquarters, it fell on the roof and caught fire,” Razvojayev wrote on Telegram. The incident “did not cause any serious damage” or injuries, he said, blaming Ukrainian forces for the attack.
This is the second drone attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol in less than a month. On July 31, a drone landed in the courtyard of the Fleet Headquarters, injuring five of its employees and causing the cancellation of all Russian Fleet Day celebrations celebrated that day. Accused by Russia of being behind the attack, Ukraine denied its involvement and called the accusations a “provocation”.
Increasing attacks in Crimea
This new attack comes as explosions and attacks on Russian military infrastructure in Crimea mount. Russian forces shot down a drone near a military airfield in Sevastopol on Thursday evening. Explosions occurred at a military base and ammunition depot in Crimea on Tuesday, which Russia described as an “act of sabotage”.
In early August, an explosion of military aviation ammunition near the Saki airbase in Crimea left one dead and several injured. In addition, according to the Governor of the peninsula, Sergei Aksionov, on Saturday the anti-aircraft system was activated in Yevpatoria in Western Crimea. The incident “did not cause any damage or injury,” he assured on Telegram.
Also on Saturday, Konstantin Ivashchenko, a victim of an assassination attempt, was appointed by pro-Russian forces as mayor of the port city of Mariupol (southeast Ukraine), which was captured by Russia after a siege that lasted several months, according to Russian news agencies. An explosion occurred on the way to her car as she drove past in front of the city zoo, RIA Novosti news agency said, citing a police source. Mr. Ivashchenko “was not injured,” assured this source.