The Ukrainian Defense Forces have struck at the Russian Deep Space Communications Center, which is located near the temporarily occupied Yevpatoria in the village of Vitino, according to Defense Express.
This is evidenced by the videos posted online. Local residents reported powerful explosions and filmed a large-scale fire.
NASA's interactive satellite map of fires also showed fire centers on the territory of the space communications center.
According to the agency, it is not yet known what was used to carry out the strike and what the results were.
"Moreover, the list of possible means is very wide. It could have been drones, cruise or ballistic missiles, and even a strike from a Sea Baby marine drone with a Grad analog. Given that the deep space communications center is only 2 km from the shoreline, the latter option is quite likely," Defense Express adds.
The journalists note that the deep space communications center is a rather unique facility for Russia. It is also known as the 40th Separate Command and Measurement Complex, NIP-16, and military unit 81415. Before the occupation of Crimea, the National Center for Space Control and Testing was located there.
In 2014, the Russian Federation transferred the complex to the Aerospace Defense Forces and began its modernization. In 2017, it was reported that the center had received 10 new complexes and that modernization was continuing, with plans to spend 1.8 billion rubles on the reconstruction of one radio telescope alone, which was about $28 million at that time.
According to the CyberBoroshno Telegram channel, this facility, in addition to providing communication with spacecraft, including military satellites, was actively used to deploy other radio equipment.
In particular, the Krasukha electronic warfare complex was deployed on the territory of this facility, which was intended to protect it from such attacks.
Explosions in Crimea on June 23
Powerful explosions occurred in several cities of the temporarily occupied Crimea on the evening of Sunday, June 23.
About eight explosions were heard in Zaozerne, Yevpatoria, and Donuzlav. They were also heard in Sevastopol.
Russia said that there was a missile attack, and its air defense system shot down all the missiles.