MOSCOW: A missile attack launched by Ukraine on Friday targeted the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet in the annexed region of Crimea, leaving one serviceman missing and igniting a fire, marking the latest assault by Kyiv on the peninsula.
The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the missile strike, which occurred at approximately 0900 GMT. Ukraine has been directing attacks on Crimea throughout Russia’s offensive, with a recent escalation in attacks on military installations as Kyiv pledges to recapture the region, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of Crimea’s largest city, Sevastopol, reported the missile attack on the fleet’s headquarters through social media. He indicated that missile fragments had fallen near a theater and urged residents to avoid the affected area.
In a subsequent post, Razvozhayev issued a warning about the possibility of another aerial attack, advising city residents, who number over 500,000, to remain indoors. He stressed the importance of responding to sirens and seeking shelter if near the fleet’s headquarters. Razvozhayev noted that rescue workers were at the scene, with firefighters working to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.
Russia’s defense ministry stated that its air defense systems had intercepted five missiles. Initially announcing a fatality, the ministry later reported that one serviceman was missing.
⚡️ Russia's Defence Ministry:
The Kiev regime has launched a missile attack on Sevastopol this afternoon.
Russian air defence systems shot down five missiles. As a result of the attack, the historic HQ building of the Black Sea Fleet was damaged.
🔗 https://t.co/yCqUDsVeul pic.twitter.com/5h7VGJKHuA
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) September 22, 2023
Ukraine and Russia Increase Attacks Around Black Sea
Ukraine and Russia have witnessed increased attacks in and around the Black Sea following Moscow’s withdrawal from an agreement allowing safe passage for civilian cargo ships from three Ukrainian ports.
Kyiv has appealed to its allies for long-range missiles to target deeper positions within Russia-controlled territory. Western leaders initially expressed concerns about Ukraine potentially targeting Russian territory and escalating the conflict. Nevertheless, both France and the United Kingdom have supplied Ukraine’s forces with these weapons.
As part of the intensified barrages on Crimea, Ukraine recently claimed to have struck a military airfield near the town of Saky. The airfield reportedly housed a training center for operators of drones used by Russia to target Ukraine. Ukrainian sources revealed that they deployed a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles to overwhelm Russian air defenses and launch Neptune cruise missiles.
Additionally, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted and damaged the only bridge connecting the peninsula to the Russian mainland, impacting both civilian and military traffic. Russian authorities stated that traffic across the bridge had been temporarily halted in response to the latest attack. Civilian maritime traffic was also stopped in Sevastopol on Friday, according to Russian-installed authorities, who did not provide further details. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its forces had successfully intercepted one guided missile and two drones targeting the peninsula.
