Ukraine attacked a Russian airbase and naval base in Crimea on 4 January, likely limiting air defenses there. Russia’s harsh reaction implies Ukraine attained tactical achievements striking the bases, according to the British Defense  Ministry’s January 9 intelligence update.

The ministry wrote:

• Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR) stated the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked Russian targets at Saky aerodrome and Sevastopol on 4 January 2024. These attacks highly likely degraded the awareness and coverage of Russian air defences over the Crimean region.
• In response, Russia launched a number of missile attacks across Ukraine on 8 January 2024, targeting several cities including Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia city.
• This once again demonstrates the ineffectiveness of Russian air defences in protecting key locations, despite their enhanced preparedness. The scale of the Russian response is likely indicative of the level of success achieved by the Ukrainian armed forces’ actions of 4 January 2024.

Read also:

Russia’s massive missile attack on Ukraine kills at least four, injures 34 civilians

ISW: Ukraine bypasses Russian air defenses in Russia-occupied Crimea

Military: Ukrainian air strikes hit airfield in occupied Crimea

Stratcom: Ukrainian forces struck Russian ammunition depots in occupied Crimea