Explosions hit naval port in ‘sustained Ukrainian drone attack’ on Russian positions

Russia today claimed a major Ukrainian drone assault on key naval port Sevastopol in annexed Crimea.

Huge explosions were reported by residents, and black smoke was seen rising from the docks area.

Dramatic footage purportedly showed a Moscow attack helicopter destroying an “underwater drone” in Omega Bay.

Russian sources claimed its air defences deployed from naval warships were working for at least five hours repelling a sustained Ukrainian attack which began at 4:30am.

They also blamed a US reconnaissance RQ-4B Global Hawk which “flew from Italy” for being over the Black Sea and monitoring Russian responses to the concerted Ukrainian onslaught.

All passenger ferry services were halted in the strategic port, which is the HQ of Putin’s Black Sea Fleet.

Huge explosions were reported by residents, and black smoke was seen rising from the docks area (social media/e2w)

The underwater object - said to be a drone - reportedly destroyed by the Russian helicopter was said to be tailing a warship.

Missiles were fired from the helicopter which also unleashed volleys of machine gun fire.

It appeared to be the most audacious attack so far by Ukraine on Russian naval assets in Sevastopol.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian governor of Sevastopol, annexed in 2014 from Ukraine, said there was no damage to city infrastructure.

"Black Sea Fleet ships are fighting off a drone attack in Sevastopol Bay,” he said.

“No damage has been reported in the city. The situation is under control.

“ All response services are at the ready.

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said there was no damage to city infrastructure (social media/e2w)

It was not immediately possible to verify his claim that there was no damage.

He also pleaded for locals not to post footage of any attacks, claiming this could assist the enemy.

“A big request is not to write what-where-how much you saw and heard,” he posted.

“And do not upload videos.

Residents reported waking up at 4am to the sound of explosions (social media/e2w)

“It should be clear to everyone that such data is very necessary for the UkroNazis in order to understand how the defence of our city is arranged.”

One resident reported: “Woke up at 4 a.m. to a massive explosion.

“Thank goodness it's [our] air defences.

“Our ships in Sevastopol Bay were repelling a drone attack.

“It was a fun night, even very fun.”

Another stated: “Woke up to an explosion at 5:30am. Followed some time later by three more…”.

It appeared to be the most audacious attack so far by Ukraine on Russian naval assets in Sevastopol (social media/e2w)

One more stated: “Ten minutes ago three explosions sounded, and shook the house…"

Another comment said: “Woke up this morning to explosions.

“Never heard anything like that before.

“It thundered so hard that the windows shook in the flat.”