Russia protects Crimea with air defense better than its oil refineries – Ukrainian Navy spox

According to Ukrinform, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said this during a broadcast on Espreso TV.

"I don't know what new air-defense systems the Russians could still deploy in Crimea. They have already placed there everything they possess. The Russians have long concentrated S-500 Prometey systems there. For them, Crimea has always been and remains a crucial location in every sense. The peninsula has strategic and geopolitical significance for them. They will cling to it until the very end. They are reinforcing Crimea's air defense far more than that of their oil refineries. Still, this can wait: until Ukrainian ground forces reach the area, there is no talk of de-occupation," Pletenchuk said.

According to him, despite the dense Russian air-defense network in Crimea, Ukraine's Armed Forces continue to strike Russian military facilities.

"For now, our Defense Forces can use resources to reduce the enemy's capabilities in the rear. For Russia, the oil-refining sector represents that capability — it brings money into the state budget and fuels their war effort. Crimea does indeed have very dense air defenses. However, that doesn't mean the systems don't lose vigilance, and from time to time strikes do get through," he added.

Ukrinform photos are available for purchase here.