Ukraine Claims Missile Strike Kills Commander Of Russia's Black Sea Fleet In Crimea
The missile strike, which occurred last Friday, engulfed the central Sevastopol in black smoke. Sevastopol is the largest city in Crimea, an area annexed by Russia in 2014.
Ukraine asserted on Monday that it had successfully executed an unprecedented missile strike, resulting in the death of the commander of Russia's Black Sea fleet. The strike targeted the naval headquarters situated in the annexed Crimean peninsula, with the news being reported by the AFP news agency.
According to Ukraine's special forces, as communicated via social media, "Thirty-four officers were killed, including the commander of the Black Sea fleet. Another 105 occupants were wounded. The headquarters are beyond repair," as reported by AFP.
The missile strike, which occurred last Friday, engulfed the central Sevastopol in black smoke. Sevastopol is the largest city in Crimea, an area annexed by Russia in 2014.
"The headquarters are beyond repair," reiterated the special forces in their statement.
On the day of the attack, Russia's defence ministry initially reported one fatality and later confirmed one serviceman as missing.
Ukraine claimed responsibility for the missile attack that targeted the headquarters of Moscow's Black Sea fleet in annexed Crimea, sparking a massive fire and leaving at least one Russian serviceman unaccounted for. This strike on the symbolic heart of Russia's Black Sea fleet represents a significant setback for Moscow, which has faced a series of attacks on the strategically important port in recent months.
Videos shared on social media showed plumes of dense smoke billowing from the Russian naval headquarters, with officials stating that missile fragments had fallen close to a nearby theatre.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, Crimea's largest city, confirmed the strike, remarking, "The headquarters of the fleet have been hit in an enemy missile attack." Ukraine has consistently pledged to regain control of Crimea since its annexation by Moscow in 2014, AFP reported.
The attack appeared to be a "missile hit," according to a spokesman for the Ukrainian navy, who declined to confirm the navy's involvement, it said.
"These measures will continue in the future," said the spokesman. Following the attack, Russia's defence ministry reported that one serviceman was missing, after initially reporting that one serviceman had been killed.
"The historic headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet were damaged," it said, claiming five missiles had been shot down by air defence.
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