**Russian Forces Claim to Have Shot Down Ukrainian Drone in Occupied Crimea**
Russia’s military has announced that they have successfully shot down a Ukrainian drone over the occupied Crimean Peninsula. The alleged attack took place on Saturday evening, May 31st, with Russian air defense systems claiming to have destroyed the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at around 6:45 pm.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s statement, Ukrainian forces launched the drone attack on the peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. However, the ministry has not provided any evidence to support their claims, and Kyiv has remained silent on the matter.
**Reports of Explosions in Crimea**
A local Telegram channel, Crimean Wind, reported two explosions in the Dzhankoi district at 6:45 pm, which coincides with the time claimed by the Russian military. Earlier warnings from Russian monitoring channels had suggested that drone attack threats were possible in areas including Dzhankoi, Chongar, and the Arabat Spit.
It’s not the first time explosions have been reported in Crimea since August 2022. In fact, Ukrainian forces have repeatedly asserted their ability to strike targets in occupied Crimea. In August 2023, Head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov stated that Ukrainian forces “have the ability to reach any point of occupied Crimea to strike the enemy.” He emphasized that without military action, de-occupation of Crimea is impossible.
**Escalating Tensions**
The reported drone attack and subsequent claims by Russia highlight the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues, these types of incidents are likely to become more frequent. The escalation of violence could have significant implications for regional stability and global security.
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