Unmanned surface vessel reportedly attacks port in Russian-occupied Yalta

The Yalta Commercial Seaport may have been targeted, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported.

Footage circulating online showed a column of black smoke rising over the area.

“There was no explosion. It may have been the result of mobile fire groups operating,” Crimean Wind said.

The Exilenova+ Telegram channel also published footage of the smoke, saying a fire had broken out in Yalta “possibly after an attack.”

Supernova+, another Telegram channel, published a photo it said showed an unmanned surface vessel that attacked the port.

The reports have not been independently confirmed.

Ukraine is pursuing a strategy in Russian-occupied Crimea aimed at gradually isolating the peninsula by destroying Russian logistics routes rather than focusing on strikes against the Crimean Bridge, Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said in July.

Ukraine’s operation to isolate Crimea was developed three years ago, but Western partners did not initially take the plan seriously, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said on Aug. 6.