The plan to dispose of part of the ATACMS missile and its submunitions in Sevastopol was confirmed by the city’s governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev, who stated that the operation would take place at the crash site on General Ostryakov Street. The announcement was shared via the governor’s Telegram channel, indicating that authorities were coordinating a controlled removal at the location where fragments had landed and where safety conditions could be met for demolition.
The inter-departmental operations center was on site as well, and Razvozhaev explained that the decision to carry out the destruction at the scene was driven by security considerations. He noted that the procedure would adhere to the necessary safeguards to minimize risk to nearby residents and infrastructure while ensuring the damaged munitions were rendered inert in place rather than transported through populated areas.
Residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution, and temporary housing was offered to those who preferred it. Razvozhaev added that many residents chose to continue with their daily routines, either heading to work or visiting friends, which reflected a community response balanced between safety measures and everyday life.
According to the operations center, an initial survey of the surrounding area revealed numerous submunitions scattered across grass and shrubs. While all submunitions had been clearly marked to aid identification, the removal and clearance process would require additional time. The governor emphasized that a secure site would be selected where communications could be maintained; a controlled excavation would be made, and the missile components would be destroyed at that location to prevent any potential danger to the public.
During the night of August 2, Sevastopol faced a significant air defense challenge as Ukrainian forces reportedly launched a substantial offensive with multiple aerial targets intercepted. Local authorities confirmed that more than four airborne threats were neutralized over the city, underscoring ongoing security efforts in the region.
In the aftermath of the incident, one missile reportedly landed on a pedestrian crossing near Khrustaleva Street and another impact was registered on the roof of a building on Simonka Street. The high explosive component of the ATACMS missile was involved in these incidents, underscoring the seriousness of the threat and the need for careful handling of the remaining ordnance by competent teams.
Earlier reports indicated that Crimea had been targeted by Ukrainian forces with two ATACMS missiles in past strikes, highlighting a pattern of aerial threats in the area and the importance of robust defense and rapid response measures by local authorities and security services.