Kamikaze drone strike hits Russia's Navy HQ in Crimea and causes a huge explosion despite frantic attempts to shoot it down - after a string of Ukrainian missions deep in occupied peninsula
- Smoke seen billowing through the air following attack, which came despite Russian efforts to shoot it down
- It is the latest in a string of blasts, believed to be inflicted by Ukrainian forces, deep in the occupied peninsula
- Intelligence officials revealed last night how the strikes have crippled the invaders' military capabilities
A kamikaze drone strike hit Russia's Navy headquarters in Crimea and sparked a huge explosion today, in another suspected Ukrainian raid.
Smoke was seen billowing through the air this morning following the attack, which came despite frantic attempts from Putin's forces to shoot down the UAV, as seen in a video where repetitive gunfire is heard.
The naval HQ suffered a direct hit, said reports while terrified Russian tourists fled the popular summer peninsula.
Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed the attack, writing on Telegram: 'Unfortunately, [the drone] was not shot down, although they worked on the bay with small arms. [It] went low. There were no victims.'
He warned: 'The tenacity of these Ukro-Reich morons is amazing. Everyone, if possible, needs to be home in the next hour.'
Russia also suffered incoming attacks on resort Yevpatoriya, north of Sevastopol, where one man was heard saying: 'This is not funny. Let's pack up and get out of here. These are no fireworks.'
The air defence system was activated in the Western Crimea, the head of Putin's regime in annexed Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said.
'The target is hit. There is no damage, nor any wounded. Our military clearly, professionally and effectively carry out their tasks. I ask everyone to remain calm and trust only official information.'
Initially as the wave of attacks came in, Razvozzhaev said: 'I am at my workplace in the government. As well as many of the townspeople, I heard the clapping in the [city] centre.
'Similar sounds were heard in the Strelka area a little earlier. The air defence was operating in the bay. Naval artillery [operated] in the centre. The same as yesterday. According to preliminary data [they were shooting down drones. Targets were hit. We remain calm. The military is doing their job perfectly. Let's support them.'
However, the fear of attacks on Crimea - a new development in the war this month - is palpable among tourists who are fleeing the peninsula.
It is the latest in a string of mystery blasts, widely believed to be inflicted by Ukrainian forces, deep in the occupied peninsula.
Intelligence officials revealed last night how the strikes have crippled the invaders' military capabilities, while also displaying Kyiv's ability to wreak havoc on Russian logistics.
It follows a huge blast at a Russian air base in Crimea last week. Western officials have now revealed the incident knocked out half of Russia's Black Sea naval aviation force.
A source said: 'They've lost their flagship Moskva, they lost Snake Island, they lost half of their naval aviation package and their military headquarters was struck. I think we can assume attacks by Ukrainians behind enemy lines.'
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