- Ukraine claims to destroy Russian ships and infrastructure in Crimea
- UK Defense Secretary calls it a “historic moment” for Ukraine
- Strikes signal intensifying attacks, with both sides escalating aerial assaults
Off the occupied coast of Crimea, Ukraine claims to have destroyed two landing ships, a communications facility, and other infrastructure utilised by the Russian Black Sea fleet.
The Ukrainian general staff declared the destruction of the Yamal and Azov vessels in an announcement.
Ten Ukrainian missiles, according to the governor of the port of Sevastopol, which was imposed by Russia, had been shot down.
Early on Sunday morning, Russia also launched a missile and drone assault against the capital, Kyiv, and the region of Lviv.
The Russian-appointed mayor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, stated in an announcement that residential structures and transport infrastructure had been damaged in the “massive” assault.
He requested that no images or information be published by the locals.
Grant Shapps, the defence secretary of the United Kingdom, hailed the assault on the Russian vessels as a “historic moment for Ukraine.”
Mr Shapps explained that this essentially means Putin can no longer conduct exercises in the Black Sea in a secure manner, even though the Russian Fleet has been stationed there since 1783.
The world “cannot afford” for Ukraine to lose this conflict, he continued, and the United Kingdom’s support for Kyiv “will remain undiminished” despite Russian attacks.
He requested that no images or information be published by the locals.
Grant Shapps, the defence secretary of the United Kingdom, hailed the assault on the Russian vessels as a “historic moment for Ukraine.”
Mr Shapps explained that this essentially means Putin can no longer conduct exercises in the Black Sea in a secure manner, even though the Russian Fleet has been stationed there since 1783.
The world “cannot afford” for Ukraine to lose this conflict, he continued, and the United Kingdom will continue to provide unwavering support for Kyiv despite Russian assaults.
The Russian landing ships, which are utilised to deliver personnel and equipment directly to the shore without requiring a pier or port, were allegedly damaged by the Ukrainians.
“Beyond the town of Oserdow, the object entered Polish space and remained there for 39 seconds.” “Military radar systems monitored the entire flight,” the armed forces stated in a statement.
“Had there been any indication that this object was heading towards Polish targets, it would have been shot down and more appropriate actions would have been taken,” said Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the minister of defence.
In February 2022, Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In recent days, both parties have increased their aerial assaults, despite Russia’s sluggish advance in capturing territory in the eastern region of the country.
Russia launched dozens of missiles at Ukraine on Friday, one of which struck a dam and cut power to one million Ukrainians.
Additionally, Ukraine has been increasingly striking targets in Crimea.
Ukraine, in particular, has repeatedly engaged the Black Sea fleet, which is considered the pinnacle of the Russian navy. A number of the Crimean warships had departed the peninsula for the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, according to satellite imagery from the previous year.
The Ukrainian military reports that the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sank off the coast of Crimea last month.
In December of the previous year, its sister ship Novocherkassk was struck while in port in Feodosiya.
Ukraine launched a significant assault on the Black Sea fleet in September of last year. The attack targeted port infrastructure and naval targets and involved the utilisation of up to ten missiles and three unmanned vessels. It sparked a significant blaze at a shipyard in Sevastopol.
To date, the most significant loss in naval combat for Ukraine was the destruction of the Moskva, the principal Russian Black Sea missile cruiser, in April 2022.
Additionally, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the Kerch bridge, which serves as a vital resupply route for Russian forces occupying southern Ukraine.
Ukraine has stated publicly that it intends to retake Crimea and any other territory that Russia has occupied.
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Ukraine is extremely reliant on armament shipments from the United States and other Western allies to continue its conflict with Russia, a significantly larger military power that possesses an abundance of artillery and weaponry.
The Black Sea fleet is not only a strategic base from which to launch an assault on Ukraine but also a significant emblem of Russia’s military predominance in the area spanning centuries.
It was situated in Crimea under a leasing agreement, predating Russia’s illegitimate annexation of the peninsula.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, seizing Crimea was necessary to prevent the territory from falling into Western hands.
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