A missile carrier holding Putin’s deadly supersonic missiles in occupied Crimea has been hit by numerous explosions, it has been reported.
The Bastion, a coastal anti-ship missile system in the Russia occupied peninsula, was hit by one of a handful of explosions heard this morning, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Pyotr Andryushchenko, reported.
The system is understood to carry ship-destroying Onyx missiles which are capable of slipping past modern radar systems because of their immense speed.
During the raid on Crimea, Russian radar stations in Tarkhankut were also reportedly struck by explosions.
The Onyx missiles have been previously used by Putin to launch full scale attacks against Ukraine during the war, and if these attacks are officially confirmed, it could mean a huge setback for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The reports come less than 10 days after a command post of Russian troops in Crimea was struck by Ukrainian bombs.
The offensive attack at the post, which is in the village of Yurevka, near Mariupol was also confirmed by Andryushchenko.
Russia appears to be “increasingly concerned” about Ukrainian advances in the southeast of the country and has been bolstering its fortifications in southeastern Ukraine, including in the Zaporizhia region.
Satellite images comparing the area last November compared to August 2023 show Russian forces have “notably sped up” the extension of their fortifications, the Institute for the Study of War reports.
Ukrainian Colonel Petro Chernyk said the conditions are apt for Ukrainian troops to enter the Northern Azov region and “demolish” Russian military positions in southern Ukraine and Crimea.
As part of its attempts to win back occupied Crimea, Ukraine is also bombing bridges.
Russia is increasingly having to rely on floating bridges in the region as Ukraine damaged bridges at Chonhar and Henichesk connecting southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea.
The UK MoD said the attacks are causing “friction” for the Russians as the pontoon bridges deployed are unlikely to be able to sustain the movement of heavy vehicles to the front.
The bottleneck means Russia is forced to partially rely on a long diversion via Armiansk in northern Crimea, it said.
