Sevastopol officials and regional observers described a series of military activities and incidents around the city and the surrounding peninsula in mid-February. The Sevastopol governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev, stated that fleet exercises were taking place in Sevastopol Bay as part of defensive measures. The comments appeared on his telegraph channel, where he explained that loud sounds in the city center could be linked to the fleet conducting drills intended to deter a potential raid on Sevastopol Bay. He added that, despite the noises, life in the city remained calm and orderly.
Separately, Oleg Kryuchkov, who previously served as an advisor to the President of the Republic of Crimea, issued a message on his Telegram channel. Kryuchkov indicated that sounds of explosions in Armyansk, a northern town on the peninsula, were connected to the Russian military’s coordination efforts. He urged residents to rely only on official sources for information and to avoid rumors circulating on other platforms during the tense period.
During the reporting period, regional media and various Telegram channels documented an incident in Armyansk involving an explosion. Subsequent footage and photographs circulated online, showing a rising plume of smoke above the area. The visibility of such scenes contributed to heightened concern among local residents and observers about security conditions on the peninsula.
In the same timeframe, Razvozhaev provided assessments regarding nighttime events along the coastline. He noted that, on the night in question, Ukrainian air activity had been detected near Sevastopol and across parts of Crimea. The statements reflected ongoing tensions in the region and the ongoing responsibilities of local authorities to monitor security developments, communicate with residents, and coordinate with national defense structures. Marked communications on the governor’s channels and other official outlets were cited by observers as the primary sources of information for the public during these events, with an emphasis on corroboration from official channels rather than unofficial reports. The overall tone from regional leadership stressed vigilance, situational awareness, and the importance of relying on verified briefings rather than sensational social media content. (Attribution: official statements and regional briefings.)