Ukraine claims Crimea landing for 'special operation' on Independence Day

Ukraine has marked Independence Day with a 'special operation' in Crimea

Ukraine has claimed its troops briefly landed overnight in the occupied Crimea peninsula, as the country marks 32 years of its independence.

All objectives of the "special operation" were achieved without any casualties, the defence ministry said.

It added that during a firefight in Olenivka and Mayak, western Crimea, "the enemy suffered losses".

Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, eight years before Moscow launched a full-scale invasion.

The Kremlin has so far made no public comments on the reported Ukrainian operation.

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In a post on Telegram, the main intelligence department of Ukraine's defence ministry claimed responsibility for Thursday's operation. It said the Ukrainian Navy provided the support.

It said that "special units on watercraft landed on the shore" before engaging in combat with Russian troops stationed in the area.

"Also, the state flag was flying again in the Ukrainian Crimea," the statement added.

The intelligence department posted a short video purportedly showing Ukrainian soldiers raising the national flag. Gunfire sounds can be heard in the footage.

Ukraine's Suspilne television channel reported that the skirmish involved aircraft and navy ships. A Russian Telegram channel had also reported of fighting in that area.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released an Independence Day message on X, formerly known as Twitter, rallying his countrymen to help maintain the country's independence.

"In this fight, everyone counts. Because the fight is for something that is important to everyone," Mr Zelensky said.

Independence Day has gained increased significance among Ukrainians since Russia's full-scale invasion started in February 2022, according to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. It is now the country's third most important holiday, behind only Easter and Christmas.

Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in June, attempting to expel the Russians from land they had captured in the east and south of the country.

An analysis by BBC Verify showed the gains in terms of reclaimed land size have been small.

However, analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) say the advances near Robotyne and Urozhaine are "likely tactically significant because of the structure of Russian defensive lines". They also note that Russian forces have dedicated significant effort to hold the settlements.

Russia has also accused Ukraine of drone attacks, the most recent of which was on 23 August. It hit a skyscraper under construction in Moscow.

Ukraine's claim of landing its troops in Crimea came a day after it emerged that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary group that fought with Russia in the war, was on the passenger list of a private jet that crashed after taking off from Moscow.

Mr Prigozhin had led a failed mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.