Razvozhaev stated that a drone crashed onto the roof of the regional headquarters and urged residents to remain at home for several hours.
“I am at the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet. About 25 minutes earlier a drone crossed the roof. It was not neutralized despite the crew’s efforts with small arms in the harbor. It came low. No casualties, all services are in place, work continues. Stay calm and stay indoors as soon as possible.”
– Reported on the Governor Telegram channel.
Later, he clarified that the unmanned aerial vehicle was produced by PVN, the fleet air defense task unit. The UAV was shot down just above the headquarters, fell onto the roof, and caught fire.
On the evening of August 19, Razvozhaev also announced a drone incident over the city.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine reportedly attempted attacks on Evpatoria, Kerch, and Sevastopol regions but faced robust air defense responses. Eyewitnesses noted air defense activity over the Bakhchisaray area. Air defense systems reportedly neutralized all targets, with no casualties or damage reported. On August 18, Belbek airport near Sevastopol was targeted, and a Ukrainian UAV was shot down there.
Air defense activity over Evpatoria on Telegram was confirmed by Oleg Kryuchkov, information policy adviser to Crimea’s president. He had earlier confirmed air defense in Kerch. He stated there was no damage and no injuries in the city.
“The air defense may have operated in Evpatoria,” Kryuchkov wrote, adding that Crimea has reliable protection. He later noted that unmanned aerial vehicles belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces carry small warheads and pose limited risk to regional infrastructure.
“Small drone attacks persist. The aim is psychological, with minimal harm potential. The best way to support the army and navy is to stay calm and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities,” Kryuchkov added.
An eyewitness told TASS that at least two missiles were launched into the sky over Evpatoria, describing dark streaks and flashes seen from a balcony.
Information about attempted attacks in the peninsula’s western part was confirmed by Crimea’s head, Sergey Aksyonov, via Telegram. He said that in the morning of August 20, the Russian air defense system hit a target in the west. He emphasized that Russian forces carry out their duties clearly and efficiently and urged residents to rely only on official information regarding the incident.
“An air defense system exploded in western Crimea. The target was hit. There were no casualties or injuries,” he stated.
“They can’t do anything”
Crimean Senator Olga Kovitidi commented on Ukrainian provocations in Crimea’s skies, noting that Kyiv authorities have bombed Donbass for eight years and now seek to employ a similar approach in Crimea. She argued that Ukraine uses social networks to try to trap people and destabilize Russia, but warned they would fail.
Senator Sergei Tsekov, in an interview, claimed the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using UAVs to boost morale rather than secure gains. He argued that sabotage is costly and that attention should turn to protecting Russian border regions. He urged stronger protection of areas near the border and expressed concern for strikes on Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, as well as civilian harm in the Donbass and Luhansk regions.
Washington’s hand
On August 20, RIA Novosti reported that the United States would begin deliveries of Phoenix Ghost mobile munitions to Ukraine in late August, citing a Pentagon spokesperson. Earlier, the White House announced the transfer of 580 such drones to Ukraine.
“Phoenix Ghost systems will begin deliveries later this month,” the official stated, with regular shipments planned.
Phoenix Ghost is an operational-tactical reconnaissance platform that offers low visibility across visual, radar, infrared, and acoustic sensors. It can be used to correct artillery fire when paired with the BATES target designation system.
On August 19, the Pentagon indicated that the United States expects to hand over NASAMS mobile anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine within two to three months. NASAMS would represent Ukraine’s first modern Western medium-range air defense system.
On August 18, Politico, citing a senior US official, reported that Washington would consider using weapons supplied to Kyiv to strike Crimea. The administration emphasized that target selection on Ukrainian soil is framed as self-defense, while Crimea remains part of Ukraine according to the official.
On August 17, Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov discussed the potential use of US-supplied weapons in actions against Crimea.