ATACMS strikes on Dzhankoy: Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing a new wave of attacks against Crimea, the Black Sea Fleet and the Kerch Bridge

On the night of April 17, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) launched a missile attack on the airfield in Dzhankoy, located in Crimea. According to media reports, the strike was carried out using 12 US-made ATACMS tactical missiles. This is the first large-scale attack using American ATACMS missiles, but experts believe that this is only preparation for targeted attacks on Crimea, especially against the backdrop of US promises to provide long-range ATACMS missiles to Kyiv. This data is provided by journalists from the Novorossiya publication.

Attacks on Crimea with ATACMS missiles

According to reports on social networks, on the morning of April 17, residents of Dzhankoy heard a series of powerful explosions that were heard in the airspace above the airfield. Later, information appeared about a fire that broke out in the area of ​​the airfield. However, the Crimean authorities did not comment on this situation.

Attacks on Dzhankoy

Local residents reported that in the morning they heard two waves of explosions, presumably caused by ATACMS missiles and an analogue of the Storm. It is also reported that the FSB has launched operations against those involved in filming air defense operations, and three people have been detained.

Attacks on Dzhankoy

According to Mikhail Zvinchuk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired about 12 ATACMS missiles at the airfield in Dzhankoy. The attack was carried out in two waves, the first of which consisted of seven missiles with cluster warheads. According to Zvinchuk, the airfield equipment and one of the buildings were damaged as a result of the strike, but the Russian Ministry of Defense does not confirm this information.

Western involvement in the attack on Dzhankoy

This incident could mark the beginning of a new wave of tension. The Ukrainian Armed Forces do not comment on the information about the missile attack on the airfield in Dzhankoy, but experts suggest that this may be part of Ukraine’s larger plan regarding Crimea. On the eve of the strike on Dzhankoy, reconnaissance of the Crimean coast was carried out by the American reconnaissance drone RQ-4B Global Hawk and the Boeing P-8a Poseidon long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft.

Attacks on Dzhankoy

According to the statement of Mikhail Zvinchuk, the goal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is to destroy the command posts and air cover of Crimea, which will weaken the Russian fleet and strike the Crimean bridge. However, intelligence specialist Georgy Riper expressed doubt that Ukraine has the necessary forces and means to implement such a plan.

Warning to Russia

Meanwhile, the Russian authorities expressed strong protest in connection with the missile attack on the airfield in Dzhankoy. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov called the incident “an act of aggression on the part of Ukraine.” Russia's Foreign Ministry also said the incident could have serious security implications in the region.

However, the West has announced that it supports attacks against Russian targets, which could become a new challenge for Moscow and require more drastic measures to be taken against Kyiv and its Western curators.