Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks during the 19-month conflict. These have intensified in recent days. The last one occurred this Friday against the most strategic objective on the peninsula: the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, in the port city of Sevastopol. According to the local governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, “the enemies launched a missile attack.”
It was the third attack that hit the peninsula or its vicinity this Friday morning. According to Razvozhayev, several “fragments (of the attack) fell near the Lunacharsky Theatre.” But he assured that there were no civilian casualties or damage to public infrastructure.
The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, reported that a soldier is missing, but has not yet been presumed dead. This department also assured that the air defenses managed to shoot down a total of five missiles.
“We ask you, please, not to go to the city center. Do not leave the buildings. Everyone who is near the fleet headquarters, when the sirens sound, go to the shelters,” Razvozhayev added.
“Workers from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry are working at the scene. The airmobile group has been mobilized. Support equipment has been added. Firefighters are taking all necessary measures to eliminate the fire as soon as possible. Efforts and efforts continue to be made. means,” explained the local leader.
According to the Tass agency, the remains of the impact are scattered over hundreds of meters and a large number of ambulances arrived at the scene of the emergency.
Hours before the governor’s statement, Russia claimed that Ukraine had attacked Crimea with guided aviation missiles. A missile and two drones managed to be intercepted off the western coast of Crimea. “At approximately 10:30 Moscow time, an attempt (…) by Kyiv to carry out a terrorist attack with guided missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped,” the Ministry reported. Russian Defense Ministry on its Telegram channel.
It was the second Ukrainian attack against the peninsula on Friday morning, since Defense had already reported at 06:00 hours the downing of two drones launched by Kyiv over the Black Sea, near the southeastern coast of Crimea, and in the Tuapse region, Krasnodar province.
Sevastopol authorities reported that maritime traffic had been stopped. Traffic was also suspended on the Crimean Bridge, which links the Black Sea peninsula with mainland Russia.
The official warned that it is possible to suffer more attacks. He also urged residents not to post photos and videos from the emergency scene on social media.
In fact, an aide to the governor claimed that Russian anti-aircraft defenses managed to shoot down a missile near the historic city of Bakhchisarai, former capital of the Crimean Khanate.
The headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet suffered another attack two months ago. In the early hours of July 31, Russian Navy Day, “an unidentified object” hit the headquarters.
According to what the city governor also said then, a wall was partially destroyed, there was damage to windows and facades and six people were injured.
A month later, on August 20, a drone managed to reach the facilities. And in mid-September, the Ukrainian army launched a missile attack against shipyards in Sevastopol. Two ships being repaired were damaged.
