Ukraine war: Drone strike rocks Russia’s Black Sea Fleet HQ in Crimea

A drone strike has hit Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimea, officials have said.

Social media footage showed a plume of smoke arising from a location in Sevastopol on Friday evening, which is where the fleet is based.

Governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev later said on his Telegram channel that a drone had targeted the building.

As reported by Russia’s news agency, Tass, he said: “I am at the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters now.

“A drone hit the roof here 25 minutes ago. Unfortunately, it was not downed. There are no casualties.”

Smoke rises after explosions were heard near a Russian airbase in Crimea earlier this month (via REUTERS)

However, Russian-installed officials in the area claimed the drone was shot down over the city by local defence forces, reports have stated.

The Ukrainian government has not commented on the attack.

Footage of the aftermath of the UAV attack on the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol. 10/https://t.co/1a1tEmPPNF pic.twitter.com/kTqxVemAZL

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) August 20, 2022

This latest incident comes after an attack on the Russian-operated Saky airfield, where it is thought that several Russian warplanes were damaged.

Explosions were also reported at a munitions store in the Belgorod region of Russia with video appearing to show massive flames from the facility on Thursday.

Local authorities told thousands of residents in villages near the munitions depot to evacuate following last night’s blasts.

An eyewitness said: “For about 50 minutes now, explosions have been heard, a glow and smoke can be seen.

“The car is shaking, the fence is shaking. The explosions are frequent, they do not stop.”

Several explosions were also reported at a munitions depot near Dzhankoi, which is also a key military transport hub.

These numerous attacks behind Russian lines are now “probably stressing Russian logistics and air basing in the south”, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Seperately, a Western intelligence official claimed up to half of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet’s combat jets have been destroyed, in a briefing to journalists on Friday.

Due to this, it has now “taken up a defensive position” but the “credibility of the fleet has been diminished”, the official said.

NEW: Western intelligence official: 'The real story is about (Russia's) Black Sea Fleet. They've lost their flagship Moskva, they lost Snake Island, they lost half of their naval aviation package and their military headquarters was struck.'

— Emma Burrows (@EJ_Burrows) August 19, 2022