Ukrainian Offensive Targets Crimean Airfield; Moscow Strikes Kyiv

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) initiated a massive offensive against Russia's Saki military airfield in Crimea, while Russian drones and missiles rained on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

The attack on Saki airfield reportedly left at least 30 Russian troops dead and caused extensive damage to multiple aircraft and crucial equipment.

According to insider information from an SBU source speaking to the Kyiv Post, Ukrainian drones played a pivotal role in overwhelming Russian air defenses, creating openings for Neptune missiles to exploit. The assault targeted an airfield housing around 12 Su-24 and Su-30 combat aircraft, Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun systems, and a training base for operators of the Iranian Mohajer-6 UAV.

While precise details of the extent of damage remain undisclosed, the SBU source emphasized the severity of the strike, with Russian telegram channels confirming significant destruction and losses.

One notable revelation from the source was the involvement of Iranian Mohajer-6 UAVs, which the Russians reportedly use for coordinating their air attacks and as combat strike drones.

Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, corroborated several key details of the operation, further highlighting the SBU's effectiveness in this mission.

Moreover, the SBU claimed that another Ukrainian missile attack in occupied Crimea had successfully hit a command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, potentially eliminating several Russian commanders. This move underscores the SBU's strategic planning and execution capabilities.

Separately, Andrii Yusov of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR) confirmed that Ukrainian missiles had struck a target near the Belbek airfield in close proximity to Sevastopol.

Kyiv Rocked by Explosions in Overnight Russian Missile Strike

Ukraine’s capital Kyiv witnessed a series of powerful explosions as more than 20 Russian missiles and drones were intercepted over the city, resulting in injuries to several residents. The attack demonstrated the resilience of Ukrainian air defenses in the face of a sustained assault.

In a later development, Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, reported that Ukrainian forces had successfully intercepted 36 out of 43 cruise missiles launched by Russian bombers.

The attack on civilian infrastructure in various Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, raised concerns about Russia's intentions to target non-military assets.

Tragically, casualties were reported, with two civilians losing their lives in Kherson due to Russian shelling, and seven individuals injured in Cherkasy following attacks on a hotel and shopping kiosks. Power outages in certain areas indicated a potentially protracted campaign aimed at damaging civilian infrastructure.

As tensions escalate, Ukraine braces itself for challenging months ahead, with fears of Russia targeting energy and critical facilities. The situation remains fluid, and the international community watches closely as Ukraine defends its sovereignty in the face of aggression.