Recent successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian air defenses in the region suggest Ukraine is clearing the airspace in preparation for F-16 deployments, experts say.
ISW confirmed it with the recent Ukrainian partisans’ attack on a Russian military headquarters in occupied Melitopol; on a former Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) People’s Militia head; on a Russian military base in occupied Skadovsk etc.
Following the loss of several vessels in the Black Sea to Ukrainian strikes, the Russians have relocated three large landing ships to the Sea of Azov. This week, Ukraine damaged or destroyed at least four ships in the Black Sea.
In the early hours of 14 September, locals reported powerful explosions heard in the occupied Yevpatoria on the western coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims it has neutralized attacking Ukrainian aerial drones. Additionally, Moscow says that underwater drones attacked the Russian patrol ship "Sergey Kotov" in the Black Sea but were also destroyed.
On 13 September, Ukraine used British long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target the occupied city of Sevastopol in Crimea, Sky News reports. Two Russian military vessels, a submarine, and a large landing ship were damaged in the attack.