Ukraine has launched a missile attack on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea, leaving a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering. The attack is the latest in a series of strikes on Russian naval facilities in Crimea, which has been a key hub supporting Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target since President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost 19 months ago.
The Russian Defence Ministry initially reported one service member killed, but later corrected that the serviceman was missing following the attack. The incident is believed to have been carried out by Ukrainian long-range missiles, which have been effective in degrading Russian morale and weakening their enemy. Military experts argue that Ukraine must continue to target Russian military assets in Crimea to weaken their opponent.
The attack on the headquarters is significant, as it is located in the heart of Sevastopol, the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the 19th century. The fleet has played a crucial role in supporting Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and Ukraine’s airstrikes on naval facilities in Crimea have been designed to disrupt its operations. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that five missiles were shot down by Russian air defence systems responding to the attack, but it is unclear if the headquarters was hit directly or by debris from an intercepted missile.
Vladimir Putin (Via Vladimir Putin/Twitter)
Residents of Sevastopol reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke, and images showed grey plumes rising over the seafront. Ambulances were sent to the scene, and shrapnel was scattered hundreds of meters around. The attack comes amid reports that Ukrainian forces are making slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, and that Ukraine is planning to launch a new counter-offensive.
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting Russian military installations in Crimea. In July 2022, an attack on the fleet’s headquarters wounded six people, and in September, Ukraine claimed responsibility for striking a strategic shipyard in Sevastopol, damaging two ships and causing a fire.
