Ukrainian Defense Forces have been destroying Russian air defense systems in Crimea for a long time . Oleg Katkov, military expert and editor-in-chief of Defense Express, spoke about this on Radio NV.”This is a very convenient location for knocking out Russian air defense assets—not just radar stations, but also anti-aircraft missile systems. Even the radar for the unique S-500 was destroyed there. The work is proceeding methodically. And the enemy cannot afford not to defend the military facilities it has on the occupied peninsula. And it is forced to strengthen and replace the losses in its air defense assets,” Katkov said.He added that these air defense systems are within easy striking range of the Defense Forces’ assets, allowing Ukraine to systematically strike targets in Crimea. This also includes the Crimean Bridge.In June, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out its third attack on the Crimean Bridge, a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces to the occupied Ukrainian territories.While the exact cause of damage to the bridge’s underwater supports remains unclear, some defense experts speculate that the Toloka drone may have played a role.”It’s not something that just happened once. It’s something that happens every two or three days, something gets hit deep behind enemy lines in Crimea. This is precisely the result of this methodical work to take out air defenses. And when they’re taken out, the enemy doesn’t have time to restore them, and strikes are launched. For example, at the Gvardeysky airfield, where the Mi-8 was destroyed. When the Buyan-M ship is hit by those same drones in the Sea of Azov. When the RT-70 radio telescope in Yevpatoria is knocked out,” Katkov explained.Recall, in recent days, the “Ghosts” special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine has carried out a series of precision attacks on military installations in temporarily occupied Crimea . This could be an operation that opens the way to Crimea for Ukraine’s new underwater drone, Defense Express reports.On September 21, it was reported that three Mi-8 helicopters and a 55Zh6U Nebo-U radar station had been destroyed.On September 22, it became known that another Mi-8 and two rare Be-12 anti-submarine aircraft had been shot down. The Be-12 is a Soviet aircraft whose first flight took place back in 1960. Despite its age, it is still used by the Russian Black Sea Fleet. No more than six of these aircraft remained in service, used for patrolling waters and searching for submarines.Experts note that the Be-12’s decommissioning could have several possible explanations: reducing the Russian Federation’s capabilities in combating Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems; creating conditions for the operation of the new Ukrainian underwater drones “Toloka”, which were recently presented in Lviv; Eliminating the threat posed by patrols tracking surface naval drones such as Magura or Sea Baby. Analysts emphasize that the HUR strikes not only inflict significant losses on the Russian Black Sea Fleet but also pave the way for the active use of Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea.