Ukrainian forces hit Russian air base in Crimea, destroy S‑400 system
On Wednesday, Ukrainians struck the Russian air base in Dzhankoy, located in the northern part of Crimea. The attack destroyed an S-400 anti-aircraft system, ammunition storage, and several other vehicles at the base.
7:02 AM EDT, April 18, 2024
In the early hours of Wednesday, explosions rocked the Russian air base in Dzhankoy, Crimea, causing fires and triggering explosions in the ammunition storage.
Crimean guerrillas have claimed responsibility for the attack. "The latest S-400 system was significantly damaged due to the explosions of its launcher. The Russian forces had so much confidence in their newest anti-aircraft system that they stored missile warehouses right beside it, leading to their destruction," reports the Atesh group on Telegram.
According to these guerrillas, several other vehicles parked at the base suffered considerable damage. The most extensive damage was observed near the command post of the 5th Anti-Aircraft Missile Division of the 18th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment and the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Armed Forces.
"To protect our operatives, we will not release further details. We have forwarded the information to the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Atesh announced.
A pre-dawn strike: Air raid sirens in Crimea were silent
Witnesses reported hearing explosions around 3 a.m. ET, indicating that the blasts occurred before the air raid sirens could warn of the incoming threat. Videos capturing the events near the airport swiftly surfaced online.
Dzhankoy hosts an active Russian military airfield, serving as the base for the 39th Helicopter Regiment of the 27th Mixed Aviation Division under the 4th Command of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Southern Military District. The base accommodates three aviation squadrons with Mi-8, Mi-35M, Mi-28, and Ka-52 helicopters.
Additionally, the Federal Security Service's border patrol helicopters are stationed at Dzhankoy. Before the attack, Russia had fortified the base with additional S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.
