Russia, Ukraine Black Sea Fleet Headquarters Airstrike Raises US-UK Assistance Speculation

Claims of Preplanned Use of NATO Satellites and Reconnaissance Aircraft

On the 27th (local time), Russia raised allegations of assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom in relation to Ukraine's attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimean Peninsula.

According to AFP, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claimed, "There is no doubt that the attack (on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters) was premeditated using Western intelligence assets, NATO's satellite equipment, and reconnaissance aircraft."

She emphasized, "The missile attack was carried out with close cooperation from the intelligence agencies of the United States and the United Kingdom."

Ukraine conducted an airstrike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea on the 22nd, and as a result, 34 Russian officers, including Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, were reported dead on the 25th.

Russia has referred to its invasion of Ukraine in February last year as a "special military operation" and has accused the West of waging a proxy war by providing financial and military support to Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraine conducted an airstrike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea on the 22nd, and on the 25th announced that 34 Russian officers, including Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, were killed as a result.

On the other hand, Russia denied the scale of the casualties claimed by Ukraine and stated that one Russian soldier went missing due to the airstrike.

On the same day, Russia's Ministry of Defense Zvezda TV broadcast a video of Commander Sokolov saying, "The fleet is carrying out the tasks set by the headquarters," sparking controversy over the truth of his survival.