Sevastopol, Crimea – Following reports of a series of explosions in the occupied city of Sevastopol on Saturday evening, speculation arose that the target of the attack may have been the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) communications center, according to an open-source intelligence (OSINT) group. Reports began to emerge on social media around 10:00 p.m. local time, with Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne stating that at least 10 explosions had been heard, as reported by locals in the area.
By midnight, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk confirmed the attack on Telegram, expressing gratitude to the pilots and sailors involved in the operation. OSINTtechnical, a known OSINT reporter, mentioned on social media that “at least three Ukrainian Storm Shadow cruise missiles” had targeted a significant Russian Black Sea Fleet communications center. The area was identified through geolocation, with numerous satellite communications (SATCOM) antennas visible in the vicinity, indicating its use as a key communications hub.
Further details revealed that the site, located at coordinates 44.584605, 33.509971, was laden with SATCOM antennas, as highlighted by OSINTtechnical through Wikimapia. A VICE documentary from 2014, shared by OSINTtechnical, purportedly depicted the same base during Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, at present, Kyiv Post has been unable to independently verify the accuracy of OSINTtechnical’s claims pertaining to the recent attack.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the strategic significance of targets like the Black Sea Fleet communications center. As both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to navigate the complexities of the conflict, the latest attack serves as a poignant reminder of the volatile situation in Crimea. Efforts to de-escalate hostilities and seek diplomatic resolutions remain paramount in ensuring stability and security in the region.