The Ukraine Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for an overnight drone strike on the Kirovske airfield in Crimea, targeting areas where Russian aviation units, air defense assets, ammunition depots, and unmanned aerial vehicles were located.
According to the SBU, the strike resulted in the destruction of multiple Russian helicopters, including Mi-8, Mi-26, and Mi-28 models, as well as a Pantsir-S1 missile and gun system. The agency stated that “secondary detonations continued throughout the night at the airfield,” emphasizing the significance of the strike.
The SBU described the strike as part of broader efforts to disrupt Russian aerial operations, stating that “the enemy must understand that expensive military equipment and ammunition are not safe anywhere – not on the line of contact, not in Crimea, and not deep in the rear.” This statement underscores Ukraine’s determination to target Russian military assets and infrastructure, even in areas considered secure by Moscow.
The Russian defense ministry reported that more than 40 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight and on Saturday morning over Crimea. However, the SBU’s claims of significant damage to Russian military assets suggest that the strike may have had a substantial impact on Russian operations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported that two people were killed and 14 others were wounded during a Russian drone strike on the port city of Odesa. Odesa Governor Oleg Kiper stated that the victims were due to a drone strike on a “residential building.” Among the 14 injured, three were children, highlighting the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Amid the latest attacks, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have taken control of the settlement of Chervona Zirka in the eastern Donetsk region. Moscow has maintained that any territory taken during the war must be retained, while Kyiv has rejected any peace proposal that calls for it to give up land to Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the two countries’ demands are “absolutely contradictory,” emphasizing the challenges in finding a path to bring them closer together. Putin added that the two sides would “continue further contact” after prisoner exchanges agreed at the Istanbul talks had been completed. Russia and Ukraine have conducted several prisoner-of-war swaps since agreeing to free more than 1,000 captured soldiers.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since 2022, with both sides suffering significant losses. The international community has been working to facilitate peace talks and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. However, the situation remains complex, with deep-seated differences between the two sides and ongoing violence.