A special unit of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, “Phantoms,” carried out another successful operation in temporarily occupied Crimea. This time, Ukrainian drones targeted a Russian military airbase in the settlement of Hvardiiske near Simferopol. The attack successfully struck two Mi-8 helicopters, both of which were heavily damaged and are currently out of service. Preliminary estimates suggest the destroyed aircraft are worth between $20 million and $30 million, representing a significant financial loss for the Russian forces.
However, this was not the only strike against enemy assets. During the aerial attack, Ukrainian intelligence operators managed to direct a warhead at a military raid tug stationed in Sevastopol Bay. Preliminary reports suggest the vessel was likely the BUK-2190. The attack dealt another significant blow to the occupiers’ military infrastructure on the peninsula.
The damaged tug was part of the so-called Underwater Diversionary Forces and Means (UDFM), a specialized unit consisting of trained combat divers. Russia invests substantial resources in their training and equipment. The unit is supplied with advanced gear, and preparation is extensive, requiring a high level of professionalism.
The strike on this vessel reduces the combat readiness and operational capabilities of Russia’s elite special forces, which in turn limits the enemy’s ability to conduct sabotage and reconnaissance operations in the region.
This attack is the latest in a series of successful operations carried out by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence special unit, “Phantoms.” Recently, the unit also reported progress in targeting Russian air defense systems in Crimea. The list of recently struck high-value targets includes:
- RLK ‘Utyos-T’
- RT-70 radio telescope
- Glonass complex in the dome
- MR-10M1 ‘Mys’ M1 radar
- 96L6-AP radar from the S-400 air defence missile system.
Recently, we reported that Ukraine received a Black Hawk military helicopter, funded by concerned citizens of the Czech Republic and Slovakia through the initiative “Darek pro Putina” (“A Gift for Putin”).
“Ladies and gentlemen, the UH-60 Black Hawk ‘Blackestmir’ is now in Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who believed in this and contributed,” the campaign organizers said. “More than 20,000 people took part. Today, the Czech Republic became the first country in the world whose citizens donated a helicopter to Ukraine, and many Slovaks also helped. It has been an honor for us.”
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Source: gur
