Sevastopol Authorities Warn of Security Drills and Potential Air and Sea Operations
Sevastopol’s regional leadership reported that the Black Sea Fleet intends to conduct preventive measures aimed at countering underwater sabotage forces and means, scheduled from 7:40 to 9:00, Moscow time. The notification emphasizes heightened readiness in the area and underscores the seriousness of safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure during this window.
Officials described plans to use rocket launchers and grenades from boats as part of the exercise. Residents were advised to anticipate possible audible explosions and to stay away from restricted zones until further notice. The authorities stressed that the activities are precautionary in nature and aimed at ensuring the security of coastal defenses and port facilities.
Local authorities also noted that the Black Sea Fleet carried out similar drills near Sevastopol the previous day, focusing on rocket-based demonstrations and surface-to-surface coordination. Such exercises are part of standard fleet readiness routines designed to test response times, navigation disciplines, and command-and-control interoperability across units along the regional coast (official briefing).
On September 22, Razvozzhaev commented on a recent Ukrainian military action targeting the fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol. He urged residents to avoid approaching artillery positions and to refrain from sharing imagery or video from the incident site while emergency operations and air defense measures were in progress. The message highlighted safety considerations and the need to maintain operational security during ongoing responses (regional government statement).
In response to concerns about a potential second strike, authorities requested that civilians remain indoors and seek shelter when sirens sounded. About half an hour after the warning, Razvozzhaev confirmed an air raid alert had been issued, signaling the need for protective actions in the affected area (emergency protocol).
Earlier, on September 21, Ukrainian forces were reported to conduct extensive drone activity against Crimea. The regional air defense system intercepted and neutralized a significant portion of the UAVs, with 19 drones described as destroyed over Black Sea and Crimean territories. There were continued reports of drone activity crossing into adjacent regions, including Kursk, Belgorod, and Oryol, where additional drones were reportedly downed (military operations briefing, attributed to regional defense authorities).
In a broader context, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated his intention to prevent hostilities from expanding into Russian territory, emphasizing a commitment to limiting cross-border escalation and preserving regional stability (presidential address). The sequence of events reflects the heightened state of vigilance in border-adjacent areas and the persistent complexity of aviation and maritime security operations in the region (regional summaries).
Observers note that information from official channels often serves as a key source for residents seeking guidance during periods of elevated threat. The evolving situation underscores the importance of timely, accurate updates from authorities, as well as careful media consumption to avoid misinterpretation amid rapid developments (contextual analysis by security analysts).
Overall, the events described illustrate a period of sustained attention to coastal defense readiness, air defense coordination, and civil protection measures in the Sevastopol region. The authorities’ emphasis on safety, compliance with warnings, and prudent behavior during security operations remains central to public response and regional resilience (government briefings and public advisories).