Black Sea Fleet Hit by Ukrainian Missile... Russia Covered in Smoke

Ukraine "Dozens including commanders killed or wounded in attack"
Counteroffensive to reclaim Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula intensifies

Ukraine attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters with missiles. Since June, airstrikes have continued across the Crimean Peninsula to reclaim territories occupied by Russia.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 23rd (local time), the Ukrainian military announced in a statement that they attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, on the previous day (22nd), resulting in dozens of casualties, including the death of a senior Russian naval commander. They also stated that detailed information about the attack would be released soon.

The situation during the attack can be seen online. In the footage, the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters is engulfed in thick black smoke. Shortly after, a missile strikes the building again, producing a loud explosion. People watching the scene step back in shock.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the mayor of Sevastopol, reported, "The enemy (Ukrainian forces) launched a missile attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters," adding, "Fragments fell around the Lunacharsky Theater." He warned residents to evacuate to bomb shelters when sirens sound, anticipating further attacks.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a release, "The air defense system intercepted five missiles, but the historic base of the naval fleet in Sevastopol city was damaged."

The scene of Sevastopol after a missile attack. [Video=X (formerly Twitter)]

However, contrary to Ukraine's claimed casualty figures, Russia reported only one soldier dead, later correcting this to missing. They did not respond to Ukraine's claim that dozens, including commanders, were casualties.

Since June, the Ukrainian military has intensified attacks on the Crimean Peninsula as part of a counteroffensive to reclaim Russian-occupied territories.

The Crimean Peninsula is a landmass protruding into the Black Sea south of Ukraine. Originally Russian territory, it was transferred to Ukraine in 1954. However, in March 2014, Russia forcibly annexed it using military force, making it Russian territory again after 23 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Following the attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters near Sevastopol on the 20th, the Ukrainian military attacked the Saky Air Base in western Crimea with drones and missiles on the 21st.