Exclusive satellite footage reveals Russian aircraft wreckage and damaged infrastructure in Crimean airbase
Exclusive satellite footage, acquired by a leading news network, unveils the wreckage of three Russian aircraft and the extent of damage to buildings at Belbek airbase in the occupied port city of Sevastopol. The footage was captured on Wednesday, shedding light on the aftermath of recent events.
Exclusive satellite images obtained by CNN reveal three Russian jets destroyed and buildings damaged at Belbek airbase in Sevastopol on Wednesday. These losses occurred following two days of Ukrainian attacks on Sevastopol in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
In images captured by US satellite imaging company BlackSky and space technology firm Maxar, the main flight line at Belbek shows two jets burned out, with a third parked on a protective embankment. Additionally, the satellite images reveal a destroyed building nearby and another structure that has sustained significant damage.
According to Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, a massive enemy attack on Sevastopol was successfully repelled by the Russians. Razvozhaev mentioned on Telegram that "dozens" of unmanned aerial vehicles and "more than five sea drones" were destroyed during the defense. As a result of drone debris falling on a power substation, the city experienced a partial power outage.
Belbek has been attacked a second time by Ukrainians within the last 48 hours.
When asked about a potential Ukrainian attack on Belbek, Dmytro Pletenchuk, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian army’s South, stated on Thursday, "We are unable to provide any specific details at the moment as there is currently no confirmed information." CNN has contacted the Ukrainian military for further information.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
An insurgent group in Crimea called Atesh announced on Telegram that an artillery warehouse at Belbek airfield was damaged during the second strike.
They also mentioned that there was significant damage to the airfield infrastructure due to a secondary detonation.
None of the satellite images viewed by CNN indicated any damage to a missile or artillery weapons storage facility, or any evidence of secondary explosions occurring.
Kyiv’s forces have been successful in targeting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, whether through missile strikes or sea drone attacks, despite Moscow's recent advances in its ground campaign.
In a significant development in March, Ukraine reported successfully targeting two Russian naval vessels, a communications center, and several other facilities owned by the Black Sea Fleet in a major overnight attack. Specifically, Ukraine identified the two amphibious landing ships hit as the Yamal and the Azov.
As a result of these attacks, over 20 Russian naval vessels have been rendered inoperable or destroyed, representing a significant blow to a third of the entire fleet. Despite having a limited navy of its own, Ukraine has managed to gain the upper hand in the Black Sea region through a combination of technological advancements, boldness, and Russian operational failures. Notably, satellite imagery from October of the previous year showed that Russia had moved some of its naval ships away from Sevastopol following a series of successful Ukrainian assaults.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite images exclusive to CNN show destroyed jets and building at Belbek Airbase in Crimea on May 15, 2024.
Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies
Russia is making progress in northeastern Ukraine, with the recent attack at Belbek. This has led Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to postpone his participation in upcoming international events. His troops are currently defending against a surprise offensive in the Kharkiv region.
The current offensive is the most severe cross-border ground attack since Ukraine regained control of the Kharkiv region in late summer 2022. The Ukrainian forces are facing challenges with limited resources, including stretched forces, insufficient artillery, and inadequate air defenses while awaiting promised ammunition and weapons from a delayed $2 billion US military financing package.
Russian troops have seized control of over nine villages near the border during Moscow's recent advancement. One of the most intense battlegrounds is the town of Vovchansk, located approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
Maria, 85, evacuates the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk.
Maria, 85, evacuates the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk.
CNN
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Police are quickly responding to help residents in a Ukrainian border town facing danger from the advancing Russian forces. Despite this, a senior commander from NATO mentioned that the Russian troops may not have enough soldiers to make a significant move into Kharkiv.
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, mentioned at a press conference in Brussels that the Russians can make small progress in certain areas, but lack the expertise and resources to capitalize on any significant breakthroughs.
Zelensky held a meeting with senior military leaders in Kharkiv earlier in the day. He expressed concerns about the challenging situation faced by Kyiv's troops, emphasizing the need to strengthen their units on the ground.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Thursday. During their meeting, they both expressed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, showcasing their growing alignment.
Since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Russia's economy has become more dependent on China. A joint statement issued during the meeting highlighted the two countries' alignment on various issues such as energy, trade, security, and geopolitics, with specific mentions of Ukraine.
CNN’s Radina Gigova, Maria Kostenko, Alex Hardie and Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The attacks on Belbek airbase in Crimea have highlighted the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the resilience of the Ukrainian
