Ukraine has just dealt a major blow to Russia’s naval power. On Friday, September 22, the Ukrainian military launched an attack against Russia by targeting their Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol. As a result of the strike, one serviceman is reported to be missing and there is smoke, shrapnel and a major fire in the area.
This event marks yet another step in Ukraine‘s effort to reclaim Crimea from Russian control.
???? Ukraine destroyed Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters with multiple Storm Shadow cruise missile strikes in Sevastopol, occupied Crimea. pic.twitter.com/2Acl5FQl36
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) September 22, 2023
In response to the attack on their headquarters, Russia’s Defense Ministry claims that air defense systems shot down five missiles.
Although initially reported as dead, it was later determined that one serviceman is missing as a result of this incident.
Mikhail Razvoshayev, governor of Sevastopol under Russian rule, reported that residents should avoid the city center while firefighters work to contain the blaze caused by the strikes.
He also stressed that there have been no civilian casualties or damage done to any infrastructure so far.
Although Ukraine has not yet taken credit for this attack, Gen Mykola Oleshchuk cryptically hinted at more strikes coming soon following Friday’s assault.
This comes after strikes were conducted on both naval targets and port infrastructure which resulted in damage being done to both a warship and submarine belonging to Russia.
It appears as if President Zelenskyy hopes these maneuvers will serve as progress before winter weather makes fighting more difficult and keep Putin from retaliating with force against Ukraine’s efforts at regaining control over Crimea.
Rebekah Koffler of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting noted how Kyiv wants “to probe Putin’s real red lines”.
She added that the White House appears to have promised robust support for Ukraine’s defense against further aggression by Russia but it remains uncertain whether or not this will be enough for Kyiv’s mission to successfully come into fruition or if Putin will simply retaliate with greater force than before.
