Russia struggles to protect Crimea as Ukrainian attacks intensify
Russians are encountering increasing difficulties in protecting the Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian attacks are destroying Russian military infrastructure. Experts from the Institute for the Study of War claim that Russia is deliberately placing military installations near civilian areas in Crimea to deter Ukrainian attacks.
The Russians are increasingly having trouble protecting Crimea. A coordinated series of Ukrainian attacks on targets in Crimea has led to the destruction of critical components of Russian SA-20 (S-300) and SA-21 (S-400) surface-to-air missile systems.
These successes illustrate that Russia is struggling to protect its assets in Crimea despite boasting about its air defence and significant financial investments in this purpose.
Russia accuses Ukraine of shelling Sevastopol
Last Sunday, Russians claimed that 124 people were injured, including 27 children, due to the Ukrainian shelling of Sevastopol. Five people died.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that five American ATACMS missiles were used in the attack on Sevastopol, and four of them were intercepted by air defence. The ministry also claimed that American specialists input ATACMS missile flight data based on their satellite intelligence. Hence, the United States is also responsible for the attack on Sevastopol.
However, it was a hit by a Russian anti-aircraft interceptor that caused one of the missiles to veer off course and explode.
Russian authorities encourage tourism to Crimea
Experts from the Institute for the Study of War claim that the Russian military likely deliberately places military installations near civilian areas in Crimea, attempting to deter Ukrainian attacks.
The analysis emphasised that Russian authorities irresponsibly encouraged tourism to the occupied Crimea during the war, even though the Russian military continued to use the occupied peninsula as a rear base.
The Ukrainian army has neither confirmed nor denied the attack on Sevastopol.
