ATACMS Strikes on Crimea Hit Two Russian Air Defense Systems, Radar: Report 

A Ukrainian strike using U.S.-supplied missiles on a key Russian military air base in annexed Crimea struck two air defense systems and a radar, according to a local report.

Kyiv's forces launched 12 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles across Crimea, and seven were shot down, independent Russian outlet ASTRA reported on its Telegram channel on Wednesday, citing regional emergency services sources.

Attacks on Crimea have ramped up throughout Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, as Kyiv looks to reclaim the Black Sea peninsula. The region was annexed by Moscow in 2014.

The attacks "completely destroyed" two S-400 air defense systems and a radar station at the airbase, which is located near to the Crimean city of Sevastopol, ASTRA said.

"Another radar station was damaged in the area of Cape Fiolent, ASTRA sources in the region's emergency services reported. The roof and windows of 3 private houses were damaged by shrapnel in Sevastopol. There was a fire in a forest. There were no casualties," the news outlet added.

Newsweek couldn't independently verify ASTRA's report and has contacted Russian and Ukrainian authorities for comment by email.

The news comes a day after Ukraine's military reported that its forces destroyed at least two S-300/S-400 Russian air defense radar systems in Crimea.

Ukraine has frequently attacked Russian military bases, saying they are legitimate targets in the ongoing war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, said in its latest analysis of the conflict in Ukraine on Thursday that Ukraine may be conducting an effort aimed at degrading Russian air defenses.

If this operation is successful, it "could enable Ukraine to more effectively leverage manned fixed-wing airpower in the long run," the think tank said.

The ISW assessed that Kyiv's forces may seek to actively degrade Russian air defenses before Ukraine receives a significant number of aircraft "in order to set conditions for Ukraine's future use of manned fixed-wing airpower closer to frontline areas."

"Ukrainian forces may be attempting to degrade Russian air defenses ahead of anticipated F-16 fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine, which reportedly will begin in small quantities in summer and fall 2024," it said.

"Ukrainian forces may be able to eventually work towards a concept of operations that combines fixed-wing airpower to support ground operations if the Ukrainian military receives a sufficient number of fighter jets, Western partners train enough trained pilots, and if Ukraine succeeds in degrading Russian air defense capabilities," the think tank added.

Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war? Let us know via worldnews@newsweek.com.