Explosions Heard in Crimea on May 8, Russian Defense Ministry Claims Drones Were Shot Down Over the Peninsula and Seas

Explosions and fires erupted across occupied Crimea overnight after drone strikes reportedly hit Russian military sites, railway logistics, and energy infrastructure.

Explosions were heard in occupied Crimea on the evening of May 7 and during the night of May 8. According to preliminary reports, a Russian military unit in the Maryine district of Simferopol was hit, while a large electrical substation caught fire in Yany Kapu (Krasnoperekopsk) following a drone attack. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian drones were shot down over the peninsula. This was reported by Suspilne.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, from 20:00 on May 7 until the end of the day, Russian air defenses shot down 95 drones over Russian territory, as well as over Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea.

From 00:00 to 07:00, Russian air defense systems intercepted or destroyed 264 drones over Russia, as well as over Crimea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov, the ministry added.

The Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mykhailo Razvozhayev, also reported that four drones were shot down overnight near the city’s North Side district and Fiolent, with no casualties or damage reported preliminarily.

He declared an air raid alert in the city twice on May 8: from 02:24 to 04:08 and from 07:25 to 07:39.

In addition, maritime passenger transport services in Sevastopol were suspended twice, according to the Russian-installed city Directorate for the Development of Road and Transport Infrastructure. Specifically, services were halted from 07:26 to 07:39 due to an air raid alert in the city, and again from 07:57 to 08:48.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told the Telegram channel “Crimean Wind” that they heard around ten powerful explosions overnight in Simferopol. According to preliminary reports, Russian military unit No. 40136 in Maryine was hit. The facility reportedly serves as a communications hub for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. There has been no official confirmation so far.

“Crimean Wind” also reported, citing satellite imagery, that the large 220/35/10 kV Krasnoperekopsk electrical substation in Yany Kapu, Perekop district of Crimea, was hit and caught fire. In addition, a fire hotspot was detected on the territory of the Brom chemical plant.

During an operation in April, the “Prymary” special unit of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine carried out strikes on a number of critical Russian military facilities in occupied Crimea. The operation targeted radar systems, electronic warfare assets, aviation infrastructure, and logistical support facilities of the occupying forces. Among the damaged targets were an oil depot, radar stations, electronic warfare systems, and aircraft shelters housing Su-30 and Su-24 jets.

Earlier, the “Prymary” special unit of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine struck railway logistics facilities used by occupying forces in Crimea during an operation in April. The unit carried out five precision strikes while freight trains were in motion, damaging locomotives used by Russian forces to transport military equipment and fuel, as well as a fuel tank car.

In addition, the April special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence damaged and disabled three Project 05060 assault landing boats, a support vessel, a storage hangar for assault landing craft, and a Be-12 Chaika amphibious anti-submarine aircraft.

Explosions were also heard overnight on May 7 in Kerch and Feodosia in occupied Crimea. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that drones had been shot down over Crimea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov.