The Ukrainian military resumed attacks on the Crimean peninsula. On the night of January 30, the Russian 31 Air Defense Division destroyed 11 Ukrainian UAVs over the western coast of Crimea. Most of them were shot down in the north-western part of the peninsula near Portovoe. More drones were intercepted near the western Cape Tarkhankut and Belbek military airfield located on the outskirts of Sevastopol. No damage was reported as a result of the attack.
As it was predicted, the massive drone attack was launched in an attempt to probe Russian air defense. The main strike took place on the evening of January 31. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian air defense forces destroyed 20 Ukrainian missiles. 17 of them were shot down over the Black Sea, 3 more were destroyed over the Crimean peninsula.
The local authorities confirmed minor damage to civilian buildings in several areas, where the wreckage of missiles fell. No civilians or servicemen were reportedly wounded or killed.
The military officials confirmed that wreckage of Ukrainian missile fell on the territory of the military base in Lyubimovka on the outskirts of Sevastopol. According to the official reports, the wreckage caused no damage to Russian aircraft and equipment deployed in the area.
Soon after the attack, a video reportedly showing the strikes on the outskirts of Sevastopol was shared online.
Judging by the footage, at least two missiles struck in the area. More missiles are heard intercepted on their way to the target. The Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles reportedly struck the area near the Belbek airfield. Judging by the footage, indeed the missiles struck the field near the military facility. Thus, any damage to the Russian military is yet to be confirmed.
British/French missiles targeted the Crimean peninsula soon after Paris declared supplies of new batch of missiles to Kiev. LINK Dozens of them have already been destroyed by the Russian air defense forces.
The attack was carried out with NATO missiles and it was coordinated by NATO reconnaissance means. Several hours before the attack, numerous NATO aircraft were spotted over the Black Sea coast in Romania.