Videos depicting the aftermath of a missile attack in Russian-controlled Crimea have made headlines, following a wide-scale Ukrainian-launched barrage in the region. Kyiv announced that it had struck Russian naval targets and port infrastructure in the Crimean city of Sevastopol in the morning in its largest attack on the navy’s Black Sea Fleet since the war began in February 2022.
Russian news outlets have reported that most of the weapons used in the coordinated barrage were intercepted and that two ships had been damaged. Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev published a photo of the aftermath of the attack, which showcases a ship engulfed in flames at a port.
Later, the Russian-appointed governor stated that “As a result of the attack, according to preliminary information, 24 people were injured, with 4 in moderate condition.”
Kyiv has attacked Crimea before
Russia has occupied the Crimean Peninsula since 2014, when its forces invaded and subsequently annexed the territory from Ukraine. When Moscow invaded the rest of the Ukraine more than a year and a half ago, Kyiv officials pledged to retake the peninsula from Russian control. Now that Ukraine’s counteroffensive is in full swing, air and sea-launched attacks on the peninsula are ramping up. In July, Ukrainian forces used an experimental homegrown sea drone to strike a critical land bridge in Crimea. The attack inflicted damage to the bridge and resulted in the deaths of two civilians. Since the Kerch bridge functions as Russia’s only land-link to Ukraine, attacking it is hugely symbolic for Kyiv. It acts as a significant resupply route for Russian forces, making the incident even more impactful.
Both foreign and domestic weapons make up Ukraine’s arsenal
The “Sea-baby” drones used by Kyiv in the Kerch bridge attack are reportedly manufactured locally and without Western involvement. According to the head of Ukraine’s intelligence service, “They do not participate in our operations or provide us with any equipment or anything else. These drones are produced at an underground production facility in the territory of Ukraine, adding that “Sea surface drones are a unique invention of the Security Service of Ukraine,” Maliuk continued. “None of the private companies are involved. Using these drones, we have recently conducted a successful hit of the Crimean bridge, the big assault ship Olengorsky Gornyak, and Sig tanker.”
While the Kerch bridge may have fallen victim to a homegrown Ukrainian weapon, today’s attack in Crimea was likely caused by Western-provided equipment.
As detailed by BBC, the head of Ukraine’s air force Mykola Oleschuk congratulated his pilots on this strike, strongly implying that either British-supplied Storm Shadows and French-supplied SCALP cruise missiles were responsible. With ranges of more than 150 miles, these advanced missiles certainly provide Kyiv with greater firepower than other domestically-made alternatives.

RGW-90 rocket launcher in Ukraine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Although the Kremlin is claiming that seven of the missiles were downed and all three unmanned boats used in the barrage were destroyed, the fact that these cruise missiles appeared to circumvent Russia’s air defense systems should concern them.
As Ukraine’s efforts to recapture territories progresses, additional breaches into Crimea should be expected.
Maya Carlin, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

George Gordon Byron
September 15, 2023 at 11:05 am
Apparently Russia’s daily attacks on Ukraine don’t deserve any coverage?
Sofronie the Monk
September 15, 2023 at 12:38 pm
@George Gordon Byron: They are covered, each day you hear about another civilian building hit by “high precision, unstoppable” Russian missiles. Some use their missiles on civilian targets, others on military ones. Guess it’s easier knocking out power plants and schools than hitting warships and airplanes, isn’t that right, Georgy?
June
September 15, 2023 at 11:37 pm
Due to its location, this was a surprise attack. Considering the extensive damage sustained, I do not believe many missiles were intercepted.
George Gordon Byron
September 16, 2023 at 7:37 am
Any air defense of any country is not ready to effectively counter UAVs.
The air defense of US ships and ground-based air defense of the UAE missed attacks by primitive Houthi UAVs on ARAMCO oil storage facilities….
Ukrainian air defense is powerless against almost daily Russian strikes since 02/24/2022.
Apparently, you are more competent than the President of Ukraine, the Minister of Energy, and the NATO general. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
1) Head of State Zelensky informed about the consequences of Russian missile attacks, as a result of which about 50 percent of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure was destroyed,” says a message on the Ukrainian leader’s website.
2) Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko reported that from October 10, 2022 to March 9, 2023, 271 attacks on critical infrastructure facilities were recorded in the country. Half of the entire energy system, the minister said, including the generation and transmission systems, is damaged.
3) “The United States does not have the means to ensure the air security of Ukraine, former commander of US troops in Europe Ben Hodges said on the Ukrainian broadcast of Feigin Live. The United States no longer has anything to transfer to Ukraine to protect its skies from Russian attacks.
4) Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhny said that he discussed with his colleague from the United States the need to strengthen the air defense system on March 11, 2023. Because it is insufficient.
5) “Our air defense is ineffective against the bombs themselves, but it is better to try to shoot down Russian Su-34 fighters carrying ammunition,” the publication quoted Yuriy Ignat, speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as saying.