Ukraine’s underground resistance movement Atesh said its agents conducted reconnaissance of a Russian Black Sea Fleet special forces unit in Sevastopol that helps guard the Kerch Bridge, a key supply route linking occupied Crimea with Russia.
According to the group’s statement on Telegram, Atesh agents surveyed the territory of the 102nd Separate Special Purpose Detachment, a unit specialized in countering underwater sabotage forces. The operation reportedly took place in the Konstantinovska Bay area of Sevastopol.
The partisans said they recorded the movement of a rubber boat carrying Russian special forces soldiers, who were likely returning from a combat mission. They also documented a military vehicle and several troops accompanying the returning unit.
Atesh claimed to have mapped the locations of all piers, observation posts, boats, and vehicles within the compound. The group added that this information had been transferred to Ukraine’s Defense Forces for potential strikes.
The statement emphasized that destroying this unit could weaken the protection of the Kerch Bridge – a vital logistical link for Russian troops in occupied Crimea – and reduce the Russian military presence on the peninsula.
At the time of publication, Russian authorities had not commented on the claim. Atesh, which operates in occupied territories and within Russia, has previously reported several acts of sabotage and intelligence gathering against Russian forces in Crimea.
In September, Kyiv Post reported that the Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine Rostov-on-Don, struck twice by Ukrainian forces, has been raised, but no repairs have started, according to Atesh.
The group said the vessel is currently docked at one of Sevastopol’s bays in occupied Crimea and remains out of service, suggesting the damage may be too severe to justify restoration in terms of resources and time.
Atesh agents claim to be monitoring key bays and facilities of the Russian fleet. They said that after successful Ukrainian strikes, Russian forces are “in a panic,” covering equipment with camouflage nets, moving assets only at night, and keeping air defenses on constant alert.
“Twice damaged by strikes of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, thanks in part to our agents, it’s still not restored,” Atesh wrote.