The Russian Ministry of Defense released an official update about an incident in Sevastopol that occurred in the early hours of April 24, detailing attempts to strike the Black Sea Fleet base there. The statement from the Defense Ministry press service describes the events as taking place around 3:30 in the morning, Moscow time, when three unmanned speedboats were reportedly used in an attack directed at Sevastopol’s strategic naval facility.
According to the ministry, anti-submarine and sabotage support formations were able to intercept the approaching vessels as they neared Sevastopol Bay, and all three unmanned boats were destroyed before they could inflict any damage. The ministry asserted that no personnel were injured in the incident and that the fleet’s defensive measures thwarted the threat from the sea lanes leading into the harbor.
Later, Sevastopol’s city administration provided an update indicating that the drone assault on the city had been repelled. Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed the sequence of events, noting that one drone was eliminated by the defensive forces while another drone detonated mid-air or upon impact, causing damage to the windows of four houses nearby. The governor’s remarks emphasize the rapid response by security forces and the resilience of the local population in the aftermath of the incident.
These disclosures come amid ongoing reporting about drone activity in the region and reflect a continued emphasis on coastal defense and rapid interdiction of airborne and sea-based threats. The contrast between the reported destruction of the first drone and the secondary explosion of the second drone underscores the varied nature of unmanned threats and the need for layered defense around critical naval assets. Observers note that coastal regions in the area have remained vigilant as forces monitor potential follow-on actions from hostile actors and assess any broader implications for regional security and continuity of naval operations.
In summary, the events of April 24 illustrate the challenges faced by naval bases in contested waters and the effectiveness of integrated coastal defense measures in neutralizing unmanned threats. The official statements from both the Defense Ministry and city authorities portray a scenario in which a calculated attempt to disrupt a major maritime facility was detected, countered, and contained with no casualties reported among personnel and limited impact on nearby residential structures. The incident adds to the broader context of security considerations for the Black Sea region and the ongoing importance of maintaining readiness at critical military installations.