Ukrainian intelligence soldiers land in Crimea as part of special operation

During the special operation, Ukrainian intelligence soldiers landed on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea and raised the flag of Ukraine.

Rubryka reports, citing the press service of the Defense Intelligence, that tonight's operation took place in Crimea with the support of the Navy. Special units on watercraft landed on the shore in the area of Olenivka and Maiak settlements in the southwestern part of the peninsula.

"During the execution of the task, the Ukrainian defense forces engaged in combat with the units of the occupier. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among personnel. Enemy equipment was destroyed. Also, the state flag flew again in the Ukrainian Crimea," the statement said.

The report says all goals and objectives have been fulfilled. The Ukrainian defenders left the scene without casualties at the end of the special operation.

The Defense Intelligence adds that the occupying "administration" of Crimea does not comment on the events, despite mass requests from locals. At the same time, the only statement they gave concerned the alleged "destruction of ammunition according to the established schedule."

The intelligence adds that the Defense Forces of Ukraine will continue to assist the invaders in destroying ammunition, equipment, and troops.

What do we know about the landing in Crimea?

Today, the mass media reported that Ukrainian intelligence had landed in Crimea. Around 5:00, explosions rang out near Maiak on Cape Tarkhankut. Later it became known that a battle took place there as part of the special operation with the participation of watercraft and air force.

At the same time, the Russians began to invent their version of events, announcing the so-called "Ukrainian sabotage group," which was allegedly spotted in Olenivka and "destroyed."

As the Crimea Realii publication reported, a battle took place in this area with the participation of watercraft and aviation, but the publication did not provide details.

Maiak is the location of the base of the 3rd radio engineering regiment as part of the radio engineering troops of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Also, Russian radar systems, RLK Nebo-M and RLS Kasta-2E2, are located on the Tarkhankut Cape. Positions for air defense have been prepared along the perimeter.

Russian sources also reported on the incident with explosions in Crimea. They claimed that "unknown people on boats opened fire on a campsite with people." Russian propagandists blamed the so-called "Ukrainian sabotage group" for the crime.

Propagandists say that there were allegedly sounds of shooting (similar to shooting from an RPG  rocket-propelled grenade launcher), which were heard around 3:50 a.m. at the campsite in the village of Olenivka (near Maiak).

"When people woke up and left their houses and tents on the beach, they saw two rubber boats near the shore. There were ten unknown people in them. One of them shot at the campsite. But he hit only once, after which the group disappeared," the Russians write.

Subsequently, the Russian Telegram channel Shot wrote about the alleged destruction of the so-called "saboteurs" near Cape Tarkhankut.

In a comment to the media, Ukrainian intelligence representatives noted that today's sortie had the character of a raid. It showed that Crimea is in the reach zone for conducting operations by Ukrainian soldiers.

According to Cherniak, there was a battle with the use of aircraft and watercraft as part of the special operation.

"Today, the Defense Intelligence, in cooperation with the Navy, conducted a special operation to land an amphibious assault on the peninsula. The task was accomplished. The enemy suffered losses," Cherniak said.

According to Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security Council, most likely, Ukraine will liberate Crimea by military means. After all, only in case of de-occupation of the peninsula will Ukraine have certain security guarantees.

The head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the Defense Forces of Ukraine are capable, if necessary, of striking the enemy in any part of Crimea temporarily occupied by Russia. At the same time, it is better for Russians and Ukrainian collaborators to leave the peninsula.

It was also reported on Thursday that Russian security forces are conducting searches of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.