Crimea now 'zone of constant losses' SBU says, after strikes on Russian air defenses, military airfields

Ukraine struck Russian air defense systems and military airfield infrastructure in occupied Crimea, as well as strategic industrial facilities in Russia's Orenburg Oblast, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Special Operations Forces said on June 24.

Drone operators from the "Alpha" Special Operations Center carried out strikes on infrastructure in the Kerch Strait area, as well as at the Saky and Hvardiiske military airfields, the SBU said.

The operation damaged four aircraft storage hangars at the Saky military airfield. Near Kerch, Ukrainian forces also struck two components of a Russian S-400 air defense system and two Pantsir-S1 air defense systems.

"Russian occupiers are losing control of Crimea's skies," the SBU said.

The confirmation follows overnight reports of explosions and widespread power outages across occupied Crimea. Monitoring channels also reported strikes against energy infrastructure on the peninsula and a gas processing plant in Russia's Orenburg Oblast.

Power outages followed after explosions were recorded at the Simferopol Power Station, according to Telegram news channel Exilenova Plus.

Meanwhile, Sevastopol's main electric substation was struck several times, leaving the entire city without power, pro-Ukrainian Telegram news channel Crimean Wind reported.

The attack comes as Russian-installed authorities said widespread power outages have left about half of the peninsula without electricity.

Gas stations in occupied Crimea have also been instructed to fully suspend fuel sales to civilians from June 21 as Ukraine steps up drone strikes on energy infrastructure across the peninsula.

"The SBU will continue methodically turning Crimea into a zone of constant losses for Russian forces until they leave the Ukrainian peninsula," the agency said.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces also targeted the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant and the Orenburg Helium Plant overnight on June 24, according to the Special Operations Forces.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the underground resistance movement "Chornaya Iskra" operating inside Russia.

The Orenburg Gas Processing Plant is one of Russia's largest gas processing facilities, with an annual capacity of up to 45 billion cubic meters of gas. The Orenburg Helium Plant is a key producer of helium used in high-tech and military industries, including missile technology.

Orenburg Oblast Governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack near the city of Orenburg, claiming that drones "were shot down over an industrial enterprise."

Orenburg Oblast is located along Russia's border with Kazakhstan.

Ukraine also confirmed a strike on the Dubna Space Communications Center in Moscow Oblast overnight on June 22. The General Staff said the attack hit a 32-meter MARK-IV satellite communications antenna and the facility's main control building, which supports Russian military communications, intelligence, and satellite operations.

The Dubna center is considered Russia's largest ground-based satellite communications complex and is used by the Russian military for communications, intelligence, and troop coordination.

Ukraine regularly strikes military infrastructure deep within Russia and occupied territories in an effort to diminish Moscow's ability to continue waging its war.

On June 23, a railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure across occupied Crimea were struck in a large-scale overnight Ukrainian operation, Ukrainian military officials said.

Overnight on June 22, Ukrainian drones targeted a power plant in Crimea, with additional strikes reported in other occupied territories and Russia's Moscow Oblast, social media channels reported.

Russian air defenses were engaged as Ukrainian drones targeted the Tavriyska thermal power plant in a massive attack, Pro-Ukrainian Telegram news channel Crimean Wind reported.