In a significant escalation of hostilities, at least one Ukrainian missile struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea navy in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on Friday. Additionally, a major cyberattack disrupted internet services on the peninsula, according to officials appointed by Russia.
Initially, Russia’s defense ministry reported that one serviceman had been killed in the attack, but they later revised the statement, indicating that the individual was missing. The ministry also stated that air defenses successfully intercepted and downed a total of five missiles.
Ukraine’s military confirmed its involvement in the attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet’s headquarters but provided limited details. Their statement, posted on the Telegram messaging app, read, “On September 22 close to 12:00 (0900 GMT) Ukraine’s defense forces successfully struck the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea fleet command in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol.”
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor installed by Russia in Sevastopol, reported that the attack had resulted in a fire. He urged people to avoid the city center where the navy building is situated, with firefighters actively responding to the situation and some roads closed as a precaution.
This incident represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the attack on the Russian Black Sea navy headquarters marking a notable shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
