Explosions Rock Russian Bases in Crimea, Partisans Report Casualties

Explosions were heard across occupied Crimea on the morning of Friday, May 16, with reports of strikes on multiple Russian military bases.

The partisan movement Atesh reported on Telegram that explosions occurred near the settlement of Perevalne in southern Crimea. Targets included the base of the 126th Separate Guards Coastal Defense Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the 8th Separate Artillery Regiment (both part of military unit 12676).

“There is information about dead soldiers who were on duty at the warehouse,” Atesh claimed.

According to Crimea.Realii media outlet, the targeted base contains storage for military equipment, weapons, and possibly fuel and lubricants. This base had been previously attacked on March 17 and Aug, 25, 2023.

Atesh added that in summer 2024, its agents monitored warehouses and hangars in Perevalne, collecting information on the storage and movement of Russian equipment and ammunition. At that time, they reported the base lacked air defense protection.

The Crimean Wind Telegram channel also reported explosions in several parts of occupied Crimea on Friday morning. Loud blasts were heard near Yalta, Alupka, Sevastopol, and later in Perevalne.

Eyewitnesses claimed the Russian Pantsir-S air defense system was active in Sevastopol, reportedly firing at drones from the Fiolent Highway area. In Alupka, three powerful explosions were heard near the coast, followed by sightings of “two dark smoky clouds” in the sky.

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Social media footage from Sevastopol showed what appeared to be a missile trail in the sky, allegedly from a Russian air defense system near the Nakhimov Naval Academy.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, claimed the sounds were from air defense systems in action.

“According to preliminary information, 6 UAVs were destroyed over the sea at a great distance from the coast,” he said on Telegram.

Further reports described blasts near the Belbek and Kacha airfields in Sevastopol, as well as in the Bakhchisaray district.

A fire at an ammunition depot in Perevalne prompted authorities to close the Simferopol – Alushta highway, urging drivers to take a detour. Crimean Wind published a photo showing smoke in the area.

However, at 9:25 a.m., the so-called Ministry of Transport of Crimea reported that traffic between Alushta and Simferopol had resumed, with reversible flow in place.