Explosion Strikes Russian Military Unit of Air Defense Division in Crimea

4 January, 2024 The moment of the explosion on the territory of the 5?84? Oborona-14 radar in Yevpatoria. Photo from the open sources

An explosion occurred on the territory of military unit 03121 within the 31st Air Defense Division in Crimea. Local Telegram channels reported on the incident. The explosion took place in the city of Yevpatoria, where the 222nd air defense communication center of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is located.

According to local residents, two missiles were seen in the sky, one of which hit the territory of the military unit. According to local residents, two missiles were seen in the sky, one of which hit the military unit's territory.

Not far from the explosion's epicenter is a radar communications and air defense control post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, providing control and guidance for combat aircraft. The military unit is located at the coordinates 45.201653, 33.320523. According to the official Telegram channel of the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshchuk, the strike was carried out by combat aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Su-24 tactical bombers with Storm Shadow cruise missiles were likely involved in the strike.

The territory of the military unit of the 222nd air defense communication center of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (45.201653, 33.320523). Photo credits: Google

Due to the increased concentration of military facilities in Crimea and its role as a transportation hub for supplying Russian Armed Forces units with equipment and weapons, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have increased their strikes on military targets within the region. As previously reported by Militarnyi, the Ukrainian Air Force successfully targeted and destroyed a Russian Projekt 775 Novocherkassk landing ship at the port of Feodosia.

Videos depicting the incident reveal that the strike ignited a fire on the ship, leading to a powerful detonation. This suggests the possible presence of explosive cargo on board. The Novocherkassk landing ship marks the fifth such vessel destroyed by the Ukrainian military in the Black Sea.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, Russia had reinforced the Black Sea Fleet with additional amphibious ships, intending to deploy them for amphibious operations, including a potential landing in Odesa.