Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) staged a symbolic "naval parade" off the coast of occupied Crimea ahead of Yalta Day, deploying Magura uncrewed surface vessels near the russian-occupied city.
According to HUR, the operation took place on August 7, one day before Yalta Day. Operators from the elite Group 13 unit conducted what the agency described as a "parade of Magura combat naval platforms."
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HUR said the operation was intended to revive a long-standing tradition from the period when Yalta was under Ukrainian control, when Ukrainian Navy ships and vessels would make ceremonial appearances along the city’s waterfront during the holiday.
This time, however, the Ukrainian "parade" took place offshore and involved combat USVs rather than conventional naval vessels.
HUR said the operation served as another reminder to russia that Crimea remains Ukrainian territory.
The “parade” came amid reports of heightened security measures in occupied Yalta. Gunfire was heard in the city on August 7, while local authorities had previously warned residents about a possible threat from Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported that occupied Yalta was under attack by uncrewed surface vessels and drones. The channel later published photos and videos showing a fire in the area of the Yalta port.
The occupation authorities in Crimea claimed that an operation was underway to neutralize a USV and urged residents to leave the beaches and waterfront areas.
The same night, large fires were reported at the Hvardiiske military airfield in occupied Crimea following a series of powerful explosions reported by local residents.
Group 13 has repeatedly used Magura USVs to strike russian military assets in and around Crimea. In another recent operation, HUR operators destroyed a russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system and a military crane in the occupied peninsula.
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