Ukraine said Thursday it had raised its flag on the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula overnight after conducting a “special joint operation” with its navy to mark Independence Day celebrations.
Kiev has repeatedly said it intends to take back Crimea, which is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine but has been controlled by Russia since 2014, when Moscow forces seized the peninsula.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency GUR said in a statement that its special forces landed on the western coast of Crimea, near the towns of Olenivka and Mayak, where they were “engaged in battle”.
“As a result, the enemy suffered personnel losses and enemy equipment was destroyed,” he said, adding that “the state flag has again flown over Ukraine’s Crimea.”
Ukraine has launched several attacks on the Russian-annexed peninsula since the start of the Moscow invasion and has called the area “temporarily occupied” in statements.
On Wednesday, Kiev said it destroyed a powerful Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system in that area, which it said dealt a “painful blow” to enemy air defenses.
Moscow has also accused Ukraine of attacking the Russian-built Crimean Bridge, which has been closed due to several incidents, including a massive explosion last October.
The operation and mention of a Ukrainian flag being raised on the peninsula is all the more symbolic as it takes place on Independence Day and the day after Ukrainian Flag Day.
Information released by Ukraine and Russia about the course of the war cannot be immediately verified by independent sources.
Source: DN
