A missile has struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea navy in Crimea, as reported by a local Moscow-appointed official. This incident comes on the heels of recent attacks by Ukraine on both infrastructure and military targets in occupied Crimea.
Videos circulating on social media depict smoke billowing from the targeted building, though the veracity of these images is still under scrutiny as they continue to emerge.
The reports of this latest strike on Russia’s Black Sea fleet signal an escalation in hostilities in the region. Recent attacks by Ukraine have been directed at several points along the peninsula’s western coast, with a notable strike on a military base in the port city of Sevastopol. This particular attack resulted in the destruction of a submarine and a warship.
Tragically, the Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed the loss of a serviceman’s life in the attack on the Black Sea navy headquarters. This crucial facility is situated in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
Local governor Mikhail Razvozhayev provided some information about the incident, stating that a fragment from the missile struck near the Lunacharsky Theatre. Emergency services have promptly responded to the scene, and the extent of casualties is still being determined. Razvozhayev urged residents to remain calm.
In a subsequent update, he cautioned the public about the possibility of another attack, urging people not to travel to the city centre and to seek shelter in the event of a siren alert. Firefighters are diligently working to extinguish a blaze in the vicinity, with additional emergency services rushing to the scene.
As these events unfold, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made an unannounced visit to Canada, his first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions are simmering elsewhere as Zelensky voiced criticism of Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary for imposing bans on imports of Ukrainian grain.
