Drones struck Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on October 17, with explosions reported in the settlement of Hvardiiske and in Simferopol. Smoke from fires after the attack was visible for many kilometers.
The drones likely targeted a local oil depot and a Russian ammunition storage site, according to the monitoring channel Crimean Wind. A plume of smoke also appeared to rise over one of the local airfields.
“Hvardiiske is under drone attack, the oil depot is on fire, subscribers report. Gunfire and explosions began around 2:40 a.m. There is also, according to preliminary information, a strike on an ammunition depot,” the post said.
The channel also published footage from the reported strike sites in Crimea. The videos show flames rising into the sky.
Later, the monitoring channel released a satellite image of the oil depot in Hvardiiske. Analysts said the facility belongs to the ATAN gas station network, the largest chain of service stations in Russian-occupied Crimea.
“Looks like there will be even less gasoline and diesel in Crimea now,” the analysts noted.
At about 6:20 a.m., more explosions were reported in Crimea, this time heard in Simferopol and the surrounding district, the Telegram channel said. A few minutes later, additional blasts were heard; residents reported at least four loud explosions in total.
“A glow is visible for many kilometers, subscribers report,” the analysts added.
The monitoring channel later clarified that two smoke plumes were visible from Simferopol: one from the oil depot burning in Hvardiiske and another likely from the direction of a local airfield.
“One is from the burning oil depot in Hvardiiske, the second is from Simferopol airport or the airfield in Hvardiiske (they are almost on the same line),” the analysts wrote.
At the time of publication, the analysts said they could not precisely determine which site was hit, and there were no official statements about attacks or damage in Crimea. The claims could not be independently verified.
Separately, during the night of October 17, Russian media reported a drone and missile attack on the Russian resort city of Sochi; the airport was closed and tourists were evacuated to local hotels.
