Ukraine has struck fuel depots in occupied Crimea, a source with knowledge of the operation has confirmed, dealing another blow to Russia's beleaguered Black Sea fleet. The attack, which took place in the early hours of this morning, targeted storage facilities used to supply Russian naval vessels stationed in the region.
Uncovered satellite imagery shows plumes of smoke rising from the area near the port of Sevastopol, the fleet's historic base. The scale of the damage is still being assessed, but sources say the strike has significantly hampered the fleet's ability to operate.
'The depots were a critical node in the logistical network. Without fuel, those ships are sitting ducks,' the source said.
The attack is the latest in a series of Ukrainian operations aimed at crippling Russia's naval capabilities in the Black Sea. In recent months, Kyiv has used a combination of long-range missiles, naval drones, and special forces to destroy or disable several Russian warships and infrastructure.
A Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the strike and said it was part of a broader strategy to degrade Russia's ability to project power in the region. 'We will continue to target military assets that threaten our sovereignty,' the official said.
The Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, acknowledged the attack on social media but downplayed its significance, claiming that air defences had intercepted most of the incoming missiles. He said there were no casualties and that emergency services were dealing with the aftermath.
But independent analysts have questioned this narrative. 'The Russians have a habit of understating the damage,' said a security expert who monitors the conflict. 'The plume was visible for miles. This was a significant hit.'
The strike comes as Ukraine pushes forward with its counteroffensive in the south and east, seeking to break through heavily fortified Russian lines. Western officials have expressed cautious optimism about Kyiv's progress but warn that the fighting remains fierce.
The Black Sea fleet, once a symbol of Russian power, has been forced to withdraw many of its vessels from its main base in Sevastopol to ports further east, such as Novorossiysk, following repeated Ukrainian attacks. The fleet's flagship, the Moskva, was sunk by Ukrainian missiles in April 2022.
Ukraine's ability to strike deep into occupied territory has been bolstered by the supply of Western long-range missiles, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles from Britain. The UK government has not commented on the latest strike but has previously stated that Ukraine has the right to target military infrastructure inside Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
'Crimea is Ukrainian territory, and we support Ukraine's right to defend itself,' a British government spokesperson said.
The attack on the fuel depots is likely to further strain Russia's logistics as it struggles to maintain its offensive operations. With winter approaching, the ability to store and supply fuel is becoming increasingly critical for both sides.
A source close to the Ukrainian military command said that further strikes on Russian supply lines are planned. 'This is just the beginning. We are systematically dismantling their ability to wage war.'
The Kremlin has yet to officially comment on the incident. However, pro-war Russian military bloggers have expressed alarm, with some calling for retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
As the conflict enters its third year, the war of attrition continues to take its toll on both sides. But for now, Ukraine has scored another tactical victory in its campaign to reclaim its territory and degrade Russia's military might.