Defense Ministry confirms strike on Russian Space Surveillance and Communications Center in occupied Crimea

 

On June 29, 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the destruction of a critical Russian Space Surveillance and Communications Center located in the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. This center played a vital role in Russia's satellite communications and navigation systems.

In addition to the strike on the communications center, Ukrainian forces also managed to destroy other important Russian military assets this week. These include an Osa anti-aircraft missile system, a Su-25 attack aircraft, and two BM-21 Grad rocket launchers - targets that are notoriously difficult to capture.

Notably, Ukrainian soldiers demonstrated their ingenuity and skill in a unique incident where they shot down an enemy FPV (first-person view) drone using the 25mm Bushmaster cannon of an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. This success highlighted the resourcefulness of Ukraine's armed forces in neutralizing hostile unmanned aerial systems.

While reports of the strike on the Russian space communications center in Crimea had emerged previously, the full details were not known at the time. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has now officially confirmed the destruction of this critical military facility, which is a significant blow to Russia's satellite-based capabilities in the region.

The removal of this important Russian asset, along with the destruction of other valuable equipment, represents continuing successes for the Ukrainian military in their ongoing defense against the Russian invasion.

Several explosions were reported in various settlements in Crimea overnight on June 23, including Yevpatoria and Vityne. No comments were made by either Ukrainian or Russian officials regarding the incident.

Satellite images released by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's investigative project Schemes the following day displayed signs of fires at a military facility in Vityne. The 40th Separate Command and Measurement Complex (Long-Range Space Communications Center), which is part of Russia's Aerospace Forces, is said to be situated there.

Ukraine has conducted multiple successful attacks on Russian targets in occupied Crimea and its surrounding areas, significantly weakening the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

According to Ukrainian military reports on June 17, Ukrainian forces targeted approximately 15 Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea in the last two months. Additionally, more than 15 radar stations and over 10 control centers located on the peninsula were reportedly struck.