Russia shifts aircraft to disused Crimean airports amid missile threat

The Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar partisan movement "Atesh" reported through Telegram that the Russians are relocating their aircraft to inactive airports in Crimea due to fears of additional Ukrainian missile attacks. Activities such as runway work, building repairs, and the transportation of equipment and personnel have been observed at several locations, including the Zavadskoye airport in Simferopol. Fighters and bombers used in attacks on Ukraine will likely be moved to these sites.

Partisans from the "Atesh" group stated, "Due to the successful destruction of Russian military facilities on the peninsula, the occupiers are swiftly trying to restore abandoned sites." These sites include airports in Feodosia, Kerch, and Simferopol. They added, "Our agents are closely monitoring these activities and promptly relaying information to the appropriate authorities."

The Russians' decision is probably connected to the increasing use of ATACMS ballistic missiles by Ukraine for attacks in occupied Crimea. The latest attack of this kind occurred on the night of May 30 this year. In addition to American missiles, Ukraine also utilized Magura V naval drones and traditional UAVs. Although the Russian Ministry of Defense claims that Russia managed to destroy eight ATACMS, independent sources indicate that some missiles (or fragments thereof) reached their intended targets. This information, however, requires confirmation through visual evidence.

It's important to remember that Ukrainians initially employed ATACMS M39 missiles, older medium-range versions capable of striking targets up to 100 miles away. Washington provided these missiles to Kyiv at the end of 2023. By early 2024, plans for the delivery of long-range missiles capable of hitting targets up to 186 miles away began to emerge. The first batch of these missiles arrived in Ukraine in April 2024.

MGM-140 ATACMS missiles (Army TACtical Missile System) are precision-guided weapons, enabling highly accurate strikes. These formidable missiles, about 13 feet long and weighing over 3,300 pounds, are manufactured by Lockheed Martin and can cause immense destruction. They can reach speeds of up to 3,700 mph, and the weight of their warheads ranges from 350 to 1,235 pounds, depending on the version. Additionally, they benefit from being launchable from various rocket launchers, including the M270 MLRS and HIMARS launchers, which are part of the Ukrainian army's arsenal.