Ukrainian drones penetrated reinforced missile bunkers holding Russian Iskander systems in occupied Crimea

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) say they hit a storage site for Russian Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems in occupied Crimea during a night drone operation on 28 April.

The Iskander system is a key component of Russia’s short-range strike capability, used to target military infrastructure and urban areas across Ukraine from occupied territory.

Strike hits concealed missile infrastructure

In a statement, the SOF said unmanned systems from its “Middle-strike” units targeted a concealed position located on the grounds of a former missile base near the settlement of Ovrazhky, around 40 kilometres east of occupied Simferopol.

They said the site was being used to store operational-tactical missile systems that could be launched toward Ukrainian frontline positions and rear cities within minutes.

It added that resistance movement sources had previously recorded missile activity originating from the same area.

The operation, according to the statement, is part of ongoing actions aimed at degrading Russia’s ability to conduct missile strikes against Ukraine.

Reinforced shelters appear to be penetrated

Analysis by Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi said the drones were able to penetrate reinforced concrete shelters used to protect the Iskander systems, indicating that the strike reached hardened storage infrastructure rather than only surface targets.

Militarnyi reported that a fire was observed at the site following the strike, with satellite monitoring systems also detecting heat signatures consistent with ongoing burning throughout the day.

The publication added that Russian forces had been using reinforced shelters to conceal Iskander systems in Crimea, underscoring the importance of the base as part of Russia’s missile deployment network in the region.

Local reports cited by Militarnyi indicated drone movement across multiple districts in Crimea during the night, while Russian-installed authorities later confirmed a large-scale drone attack, claiming air defense activity.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted missile-related infrastructure in Crimea in recent months as part of efforts to disrupt Russia’s strike capacity.