The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can strike the military infrastructure of the occupation forces in Crimea because they have the tools to do so.
This was stated by Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Radio Liberty.
He noted that he could not confirm what exactly was hit at the Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea, as it is necessary to wait for new satellite images.
"We need to have confirmation, I can't make such a blanket statement now. There is some information, of course. We will wait for satellite images - this will be indisputable evidence that this or that equipment is out of commission, how many occupiers will no longer return to service. And the destruction of infrastructure, of course. This is what will reduce Russia's capabilities in the airspace of both seas and its ability to strike at our country. Methodical, regular strikes, reducing their combat capabilities: we can do this now because we have some tools," Ihnat said.
He also added that such strikes on Russian military targets are a common combat operation, for which cruise missiles are used. And to increase the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to liberate the occupied territories, they need more munitions and aircraft.
"Destroying the occupiers in Crimea, destroying them at the airfields is no longer something new for us, it is the usual combat work of our tactical aviation. In particular, cruise missile strikes against the occupiers in Crimea. Of course, we also need more weapons, and we would like to receive the aircraft from our partners as soon as possible to increase our capabilities," Ihnat said.
The day before, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk commented on a possible attack on the Russian military airfield Belbek.
"Did you know that the Ukrainian Air Force includes the 204th Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade? So, its regular base is the Belbek airfield! Ukrainian aviators will definitely return to their home airfield. And now I would like to thank everyone who joined in the cleansing of Crimea from the Russian presence!" said Oleshchuk.
Earlier, local telegram channels published photos and videos showing smoke over Sevastopol, including the Belbek airfield.
Later, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that on the evening of 31 January, Crimea was attacked by 20 missiles. Some of the debris from the allegedly downed Ukrainian missiles fell on the territory of a military unit near Lyubymivka.