Ukraine Hits Major Russian Air Base in Crimea, Blows Up Bridges and Ammo Depots

Key Points:

• Ukraine’s Defense Forces conducted overnight strikes on July 5 targeting the Russian military air base at Hvardiiske in temporarily occupied Crimea, along with two road bridges and three ammunition depots across occupied Ukrainian territories.
• The operation aimed to reduce Russia’s offensive capabilities, with Hvardiiske serving as a key base for tactical and naval aviation, logistics, and aircraft maintenance for Russian forces.
• The targeted bridges over the Hruzkyi Yalanchyk and Kalmius Rivers in the Donetsk region are crucial for Russian military logistics, facilitating the movement of personnel, weapons, and supplies.
• Ukrainian forces also hit three ammunition depots near Makiivka, Dovzhansk, and Preobrazhenka in occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson, though the extent of damage and weapons used remain unconfirmed.
• Prior to these strikes, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence released footage of a drone attack destroying a Russian MiG-29 at Belbek Air Base, while satellite images showed fires at multiple sites in Crimea, indicating ongoing Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian military assets.