Journalists count Russian military facilities in occupied Crimea
Having studied Planet Labs satellite images, journalists have counted ten operating military airfields and two aircraft engineering plants in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Details: Radio Liberty journalists have collected and analysed over 150 military facilities in Crimea, by studying Planet Labs satellite images of military bases, airfields, air defence locations and ships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
It is from occupied Crimea that Russia launches most of its Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities.
One of the main military facilities in Crimea is the port of Sevastopol, where shortly before the full-scale invasion Russia brought numerous ships of not only the Black Sea Fleet, but also the Baltic and Northern Fleets.
In particular, on the satellite images of Planet Labs dated 9 November, which are at the disposal of journalists of Skhemy [Ukrainian for Schemes; the project of investigative journalists and analysis of the Ukrainian editorial office of Radio Liberty – ed.] and Krym.Realii [Crimea-related project of the Ukrainian editorial office of Radio Liberty], the following ships have been identified: large landing ships [Projects 1135, 1171, 775], patrol ships [Project 22160], missile boats [Projects 1239, 1241] and a cruiser [Project 11356], which is either the Admiral Makarov, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet or its equivalent, the Admiral Essen.
Some of the missile ships with the use of which Russia launches Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukraine are located near Hollandia Bay. According to military experts who spoke with the editorial office, Kalibr missiles are stored not only in the launch shafts of the ship, but also in the Crimean military storage points, and therefore are a potential place for future attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The journalists also paid attention to military facilities in the city of Dzhankoi. First of all, they focused on the airfield, which, after stopping Russia's offensive in Ukraine’s south, became the main logistics hub and the base of attack helicopters: Ka-52, Mi-28, Mi-35, Mi-8. The airfield also often serves as a hub for cargo planes and Su-25 attack aircraft.
Belbek airfield is located near Sevastopol. Fighter jets are mainly stationed there. In particular, on the images of Planet Labs dated 15 November, Su-27, Su-27 SM, Su-34 and Mig-31 jets were spotted at the airfield.
One of the main wings of the Russian Air Force is also deployed at the airfield in Hvardiiske, where Su-25 attack aircraft and Su-24 frontline bombers are concentrated. It is these aircraft that Russia most often uses for short-range air strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Journalists counted a total of 10 operating military airfields and two aircraft production plants in Crimea. Each of them has storage points full of ammunition and tanks with fuel and lubricants, which in case of explosion only increase the destructive effect.
Ukrainian military experts who spoke to journalists expect new explosions in Crimea. In their opinion, what exactly will be targeted depends on the tactical reasons and the vulnerability of the Russian defences.
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