Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones struck Russian military and infrastructure targets in occupied Crimea early Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, a source within the SBU told Kyiv Post.
“The Russians lost a Pantsir-S2 anti-aircraft missile system worth about $20 million. It is one of the key links in the enemy’s air defense,” the source said.
Two radar stations were also hit, each significantly weakening Russia’s defenses in Crimea.
SBU drones also targeted fuel infrastructure, hitting an oil depot in Hvardiiske, where a large fire erupted, sending a massive column of black smoke into the sky. Another strike hit the Komsomolskaya oil depot.
“The SBU continues systematic operations to destroy air defense systems and oil depots supplying the enemy. Each special operation reduces Russia’s military and logistical capabilities,” the source added.
Pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported explosions and fires across Crimea early Wednesday. A strike at Hvardiiske’s ATAN oil depot, previously hit on Oct. 17, reignited, with the blaze reportedly visible from space.
Initial reports also claimed a fire at Simferopol thermal power plant, but it was later clarified that an oil depot near Hresivsky village caught fire.
Notably, Crimean Wind’s subscribers reported that military fuel tankers, camouflaged and equipped with anti-drone systems, were actively entering and exiting the Simferopol oil depot on Tuesday.
“This depot is used to supply the Russian occupation forces,” the report reads.
Russian-installed “governor” Sergey Aksyonov confirmed a drone hit a fuel container in Simferopol, which caused a blaze.
There were also reports of a possible strike near Krylivka and Mirny villages, targeting military equipment warehouses and nearby Russian air defense positions.
Early Wednesday, Oct. 29, Ukrainian drones struck multiple targets across Russia, including an oil depot in the Ulyanovsk region, and briefly disrupted airports from Moscow to the North Caucasus.
Russian Telegram channels reported drones approaching Moscow on the evening of Oct. 28, prompting temporary suspensions at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. Monitoring channels claimed 100-130 drones were seen over Russian territory late Tuesday, with additional restrictions at airports in Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Samara early Wednesday.
Explosions were reported near Novospasskoye (Ulyanovsk), followed by fires at an oil depot reportedly belonging to NS-Oil OJSC. Drones also targeted the Stavrolen petrochemical plant in Stavropol and the Mari Oil Refinery in Mari El, with footage showing bright flashes.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, over 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, including eight over Crimea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes have hit Moscow’s economy hard: “We believe the Russians have lost more than 20% of their oil refining capacity, about 22-27% of their fuel. That’s why there are queues – there’s a real problem there.”
Several refineries were damaged, forcing Moscow to redistribute production among other plants.