Nighttime explosions rock Crimea, Russia blames ATACMS missile attack

Local guerrilla resources reported air raid alert following 1:00 a.m.

Powerful sounds of explosions were heard in Sevastopol, Simferopol, Saky and Yevpatoria. 

The Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported a threat from ballistic missiles and UAVs. He claimed that air defense systems were active in Crimea and that debris from intercepted threats had been recorded falling.

After 3:00 a.m., Razvozhayev made a statement that the wreckage of a downed ATACMS missile had allegedly fallen on one of Sevastopol's roads. The Russian-installed authorities asked the locals not to go outside and to close the windows tightly.

Around 5 a.m., Razvozhayev stated that part of the downed missile, which remains on General Ostryakov Avenue, might be destroyed on the spot if it cannot be removed. The area is to be cordoned off until noon.

Later, Razvozhayev said that after inspecting a building on Simonka Street, it was discovered that "the debris on the roof of the 9-story building was not parts of a UAV, but a downed high-explosive component of an ATACMS missile."

“It broke through the roof and got stuck on the technical floor, so no one was injured. While pyrotechnics are working on collecting the downed missile, it was decided to evacuate people to a temporary accommodation,” he said.

• On the night of July 26, explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Crimea - the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit the Saky airfield in Novofedorivka.