Zelensky praises Ukrainian forces for precision strike in Crimea

The Ukrainian armed forces conducted a precise strike on the military airport in Dzhankoi, located in Crimea, which is under Russian occupation - announced President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address on Wednesday.

"I want to express my gratitude to everyone in our Armed Forces of Ukraine, who plans and executes special, critically important operations that disrupt Russian military operations and their infrastructure," Zelensky said.

"Today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a precise strike against the occupiers at the airport in Dzhankoi. Thank you, soldiers! Your accuracy is appreciated. Special thanks to Chief Commander Syrsky for orchestrating this operation. The occupier must be defeated, and every defeat is a win for Ukraine" the president added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the independent Russian television channel Nastoyascheye Vremya reported an explosion at the military airport in Dzhankoi, accompanied by social media reports of six fires at the facility.

Photos and videos shared online show that most of the airport was engulfed in flames. According to local reports, several loud explosions were heard around the facility between 2 AM and 3 AM GMT.

A regiment of Russian military aviation is stationed at the Dzhankoi airport, housing Mi-28 and Ka-52 attack helicopters. As reported by Nastoyascheye Vremya, this site also serves as a base for the Federal Security Service (FSB) border service helicopters and a deployment location for S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft and missile defence systems.

The annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia in March 2014, following military intervention and an unlawful referendum, is deemed by Ukraine and the international community as a violation of international law.