On March 21, 2023, Ukraine’s defence ministry announced that an explosion occurred in the north of annexed Crimea, destroying Russian missiles being transported by rail. The Ukrainian government did not explicitly confirm that it was behind the attack, but it would be a rare instance of the Ukrainian military foraying into Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia since 2014.
The Russian-installed head of the city of Dzhankoi stated that the area had been attacked by drones, but he did not mention any military targets being damaged. However, several buildings caught fire, and the power grid was damaged. The Russian Black Sea fleet intended to use the missiles.
If the Ukrainian military is confirmed to have carried out the attack, it would be a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has accused Russia of supporting separatist movements in its eastern provinces, leading to the annexation of Crimea in 2014. This conflict has claimed the lives of over 13,000 people and has strained relations between Russia and the West.
The Ukrainian defence ministry issued a statement saying that the explosions continue the process of Russia’s demilitarisation and prepares the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea for de-occupation. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly called for the return of Crimea to its control, but Russia has shown no intention of relinquishing the territory.
Russia has previously blamed Ukraine for carrying out a drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol in October 2022. It said that nine drones had been used in a strike that damaged a warship, but Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the attack.
The attack on the missiles may indicate a shift in Ukraine’s military strategy, which has mostly focused on defending its borders from incursions by Russian-backed separatists. The attack also comes after the EU’s announcement that it would provide Ukraine with €2bn of ammunition after the country pleaded for help with shells.
It remains to be seen whether this attack marks the beginning of a new phase in the conflict or if it is a one-time occurrence. Nevertheless, it is a significant development that highlights the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and the potential for the conflict to escalate further. The international community must continue to engage both parties in dialogue and pursue peaceful solutions to prevent further loss of life and destabilisation in the region.
