The Ukrainian armed forces have reportedly achieved a significant victory against Russian troops at Lake Donuzlav on the Crimean peninsula. Utilizing sea and air drones, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Ukrainian Navy targeted a Russian coast guard base. The attack resulted in damage to the headquarters, command post, ammunition and equipment depot, electrical substation, technical facilities, and Russian firing positions.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, the Russian Navy attempted to conduct exercises to protect Lake Donuzlav but failed due to the Ukrainian drones. An unnamed source stated that the Russians could not protect their own base or the lake's waters. Anton Gerashchenko, an official adviser and former deputy minister of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, confirmed the attack, sharing a night video showing explosions and projectiles hitting the water.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 33 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and destroying ten remote-controlled watercraft in the Black Sea. The ministry also mentioned intercepting two Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, attributed loud noises to the defense against a surface drone attack.
Ukraine has increased its drone attacks on Russian territory this year, targeting energy sites supplying the Russian military and areas in Crimea. Both sides have extensively used drones since the conflict began in February 2022.
