In a recent escalation of tensions, at least one Ukrainian missile struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea navy in Sevastopol, Crimea, and a significant cyberattack disrupted internet services on the peninsula, according to Russian-installed officials.
The Russian Defence Ministry initially reported that one serviceman had been killed in the attack but later revised the statement, indicating that the serviceman was missing. The ministry also stated that air defences had successfully intercepted and downed five missiles launched in the attack.
Ukraine’s military confirmed responsibility for the attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet’s headquarters but provided limited details. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine’s defence forces confirmed that they had targeted the Russian Black Sea fleet command headquarters in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol around 12:00 local time.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, reported that emergency services had managed to control a fire that had broken out in the targeted building. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to pour water on sections of the building and dismantle damaged structures, indicating potential road closures during this process. Razvozhayev noted that Sevastopol residents had spontaneously gathered in the streets, singing the Russian national anthem, demonstrating their resilience.
Razvozhayev clarified that there were no civilian casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure resulting from the missile strike.
Ukraine has recently escalated its attacks in the Black Sea and Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed in 2014. Ukrainian forces have been engaged in a nearly four-month-long counteroffensive to regain control of Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea. Ukrainian officials have asserted that these attacks on Russian military targets in Russian-held territory are legitimate.
Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council, presented two potential futures for Russia’s Black Sea fleet: voluntary “self-neutralisation” or forced dismantling. He warned that if the voluntary option was not chosen, the fleet could face dismantling piece by piece.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak expressed confidence that Crimea would eventually be demilitarized and liberated, though Moscow maintains its refusal to relinquish control of the peninsula.