Major Russian air defense factory in occupied Crimea reportedly hit in Ukrainian strike
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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukrainian forces reportedly launched a drone attack on the city of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea overnight on March 19, Russian Telegram media channels reported, citing resident accounts.
Explosions were heard in the city centre, with residents reporting that a building housing the Russian military's 3rd Radio-Technical Air Defense Regiment was targeted.
The Telegram channel 'Crimean Wind' claimed at least five drones struck a building belonging to the Russian defense conglomerate Almaz-Antey, a major state-owned manufacturer of air defense systems such as the S-300 and S-400.
Russian-installed proxy governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said that a total of 27 drones were downed while approaching Sevastopol.
At least one fire was reported at an apartment building, Razvozhaev said, further claimed that one person was killed and two other injured in the attack.
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces confirmed they had struck Russian military targets in occupied Crimea, including a logistics warehouse at the Khersones airfield and equipment supporting electronic warfare and radio reconnaissance systems in Sevastopol.
The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the reports nor claims made by Russian officials.
Ukraine regularly strikes Russian military and energy infrastructure in an effort to diminish Moscow's fighting power as it continues to wage its war against Ukraine.
First annexed by Russia in 2014, Crimea has served as a key target of Ukrainian attacks given its proximity to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Kyiv has regularly targeted oil refineries and military vessels that operate off the Black Sea.
