UAV event in Crimea, Hvardiis'ke area, Ukraine on Sat 4th March 2023

A powerful explosion occurred near the Hvardiyske air base in occupied Crimea on March 4. This was reported by telegram channels from the Russian propaganda network. According to them, the air defense forces of the Russian Armed Forces managed to shoot down a drone flying towards the airfield. The drone fell on the territory of a garden society, a few kilometers from the runway. At the crash site, a huge crater with a depth significantly greater than a person's height was formed, as evidenced by the photo. Propagandists also publish photos of the wreckage of the exploded UAV. Russians identify the remains as parts of a Tu-141 Strizh UAV. According to open sources, the Hvardiyske air base has been used by the Russian VKS since the occupation of Crimea. The 37th Mixed Aviation Regiment was formed there. Before the invasion, the two squadrons were armed with 12 Su-24M and 12 Su-25SM. Earlier, Russian propaganda claimed that Tu-141 Strizh had successfully hit the Dyagilevo airbase. At the time, the UAV allegedly managed to damage a Tu-22M3 bomber-rocket carrier. Fenix Insight: Reported to be a Ukrainian Tu-141 Strizh aerial reconnaissance drone. This was modified to act as a cruise missile, with previous Tu-141 Strizh of this type having been seen armed with OFAB-100-120 aerial bombs.