Ukraine has claimed responsibility for today’s missile attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet headquarters in Crimea.
The Ukrainian military says it “successfully” hit the naval base in Sevastopol, but gave no further details of the attack.
In a development that underscores the recurring pattern of attacks on Russian military installations in occupied Crimea, a missile strike has once again rocked the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters. This incident has raised concerns over regional stability and ongoing hostilities.
The primary suspect in this latest attack is believed to be the Storm Shadow cruise missile, a UK-supplied munition. Reports indicate that this missile, launched from Ukrainian Su-24 “Fencer” ground attack aircraft, may have been equipped with a penetrating warhead, as evidenced by the significant damage inflicted on the target facility.
Another possible contender in this attack is the Ukrainian-developed R-360 Neptune missile. Originally designed as an anti-ship weapon, the Neptune has been extensively adapted for ground attack missions. Notably, it was previously used to sink the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva, during the early weeks of the conflict.
Recent reports also credit the Neptune missile with destroying a crucial Russian surface-to-air missile system, the S-400, in Crimea. This action dealt a significant blow to Moscow’s air defense capabilities in the region.
General Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, hinted at Ukrainian involvement in the attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol. In a message posted on Telegram, he stated, “We told you there’d be more… while the occupiers are coming to their senses in Melitopol and air raid sirens are sounding in Sevastopol, let me thank Air Force pilots again.” This suggests that Ukraine continues to actively target occupied Crimea with missile and drone strikes.
In recent days, a Russian military base in the region was struck, resulting in the destruction of a submarine and a warship. These actions challenge Russia’s portrayal of Crimea as an impenetrable fortress.
While Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility for the latest attack, it is clear that Ukraine is determined to disrupt Russian supply lines as part of its ongoing counteroffensive in the northern regions. Additionally, Ukraine has raised concerns about Russia’s alleged initiation of a new phase of “energy terror” ahead of the approaching winter. Kyiv asserts that it is better prepared to counter such threats compared to the previous year when Russia targeted energy infrastructure with missile strikes.
The missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet HQ serves as a stark reminder of the tensions persisting in the Crimean Peninsula, with both sides seemingly unwilling to back down in this ongoing conflict.
