After explosions in Crimea, Russians move their aircraft to territory of the Russian Federation – Ukrainian intelligence

ALONA MAZURENKO – WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST, 19:10

After the recent explosions at Russian airfields in occupied Crimea, the Russians began moving their combat aircraft to the Russian Federation and deep into the peninsula.

Source: Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 

Quote: "After the recent events in Crimea, the Rushists [Russian soldiers] are urgently moving their planes and helicopters deep into the peninsula and to the airfields of the Russian Federation.

The occupiers are taking measures to partially transfer the aviation equipment from forward-based airfields in Crimea to alternative airfields and the airfields permanently based on the territory of the Russian Federation."

Details: It should be noted that such activity began after a series of explosions at military infrastructure facilities in the temporarily occupied Crimea, including these in Saky (9 August) and Hvardiiske (16 August).

The Chief Intelligence Directorate reports that at least 24 planes and 14 helicopters have been seen to be transferred.

On 11 August, the following planes were transferred to Hvardiiske airfield:

• 5 Su-27/30 fighters from the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Belbek, Crimea);
• 5 SU-34 fighter-bombers from the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Morozovsk, Russia).

On 17 August, flights of helicopters were observed:

• 3 KA-27 helicopters from the 318th Separate Mixed aviation regiment (Kacha) of the Black Sea Fleet in Khersones (not far from Sevastopol, Crimea);
• 3 KA-27 helicopters from the 318th separate mixed aviation regiment of the Black Sea Fleet to Sevastopol, Crimea;
• 8 helicopters to Krasnodar, Russia

On 17 August, flights of planes from Belbek airfield to the airfields located on the territory of the Russian Federation were observed:

• 3 Su-35S fighters from the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (Dzyomgi, Khabarovsk Krai,) of the 303rd Mixed Aviation Division of the 11th Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Eastern Military District to Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia;
• 3 Su-34 fighter-bombers from the 559th Bombardment Aviation Regiment (Morozovsk, Russia) of the 1st Mixed Aviation Division of the 4the Army Air Force and Air Defence to Primorsko-Akhtarsk;
• 5 SU-27/30SM fighters from the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Belbek, Crimea) of the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defence Forces to Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia;
• A plane, probably MiG-31 interceptor, to Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai, Russia;
• 2 planes, probably MiG-31 interceptors, to Kushchevskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. 

It has been noted that during the flights, one of the MIG-31s caught fire on board, which probably affected the main propulsion system and the navigation system.

Background:

• On the morning of 16 August, explosions rocked the Dhzankoi district of Russian-occupied Crimea. It was reported that a Russian ammunition storage site in the village of Maiske had been hit.
• Then, in the afternoon the Russian media reported about the new explosions in the village of Hvardiiske, Simferopol district of Russian-occupied Crimea.
• The Ministry of Defence of Russia stated that the explosions at the ammunition storage site near Dzhankoi in Crimea were caused by sabotage. The occupiers have introduced a state of emergency in Dzhankoi district. 
• The occupiers in Crimea began evacuating people after explosions at an ammunition storage site near Dzhankoi. 
• Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the President's Office, said that the Crimean Bridge should be destroyed as a legitimate military target.

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