Ukrainian military intelligence, known as GUR, confirmed on Thursday that it conducted a defined operation on Crimean peninsula territory controlled by Russian forces since 2014 and still under occupation last year. The mission was described as a special operation that began in the early hours of the morning on the date in question, with Ukrainian forces landing on the peninsula as part of the broader campaign. The announcement noted that the operation was carried out in coordination with naval units and that there were no Ukrainian casualties while there were enemy casualties reported. A Telegram update from GUR cited two coastal targets near Olenka and Mayak, two settlements on Cape Tarjankut at Crimea’s western edge, as the landing zones for special units arriving by boat. The report framed the mission as a targeted strike designed to disrupt the occupiers’ capabilities on the Crimean coast.
The agency further stated that the operation occurred in the early morning hours and involved engagements between personnel aligned with the Russian occupation forces and those interrupting the occupiers’ grip on the region. The intelligence release also touched on a separate incident in Olenivka related to a Russian S-400 air defense system, noting an explosion that caused destruction within the area. The GUR described the Russian authorities in Crimea as framing such events as a programmed destruction of ammunition, while Ukrainian sources framed them as consequences of ongoing operations by Ukrainian forces against the occupying forces. The tone of the statement suggested a determined effort to degrade the occupiers’ military resources and logistics.
The timing of the operation coincided with a significant national milestone for Ukraine, aligning with commemorations of the country’s 32nd Independence Day. The reference framed the action as part of a broader narrative about Ukraine reclaiming sovereignty over its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea in historical context. The GUR press release underscored the continued commitment to offensive measures aimed at undermining the occupiers and safeguarding Ukrainian territorial integrity, while stressing that such actions form part of a broader strategy of resistance in the ongoing conflict.