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Attack on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet

Sevastopol is the largest city on the Crimean Peninsula and the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. On Friday, the Ukrainian army largely destroyed the heart – that is, the main building – of the Russian military power on the Black Sea. Video on social media shows smoke rising from the building.

The main building was attacked several times. Two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units were hit. The British Ministry of Defense then wrote:

It was initially unclear how extensive the damage was. According to the British assessment of the recent attacks, the Black Sea Fleet could still be deployed. The physical damage is almost certainly extensive, but localized.

According to British assessments, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet remains operational despite the recent attacks. Ukraine had attacked the fleet several times in recent weeks, including at its headquarters in the port city of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow.

According to Ukrainian information, the commander was killed along with numerous officers in the attack on the fleet headquarters on Friday. The British did not provide any information about this in their post on X. There is no confirmation from the Russian side of the admiral’s death.

According to the Ukrainian secret service, numerous officers and the commander were killed in the attacks. There is no confirmation from the Russian side of the admiral’s death. It is unclear which missiles were used.

Recapture of oil and gas platforms

The attack was not the first attempt to liberate Crimea, which has been occupied since 2014. Ukraine has apparently already achieved success: According to the Ukrainian military service, Ukraine managed to recapture several strategically important oil rigs in the Black Sea about two weeks ago. The Secret Service wrote:

Destroyed air defense system

In mid-month, Ukraine destroyed a Russian air defense system in a nighttime attack near the city of Yevpatoria in western Crimea. It is said to be the expensive and modern “S-400 Triumf” air defense system. The information comes from the Ukrainian secret service. The American Institute for War Studies subsequently wrote that Russia would have serious problems defending itself against further attacks.

The drone strike also caused serious explosions, as videos on social media show.

Why Crimea is so important for Ukraine

There are a few reasons why Ukraine is targeting Crimea. On the one hand, despite the slow progress on the front in the south and east of the country, Ukraine still wants to do serious damage in the counteroffensive, CNN writes in an analysis.

Some targets, such as the Crimean Bridge, also have both a symbolic and a strategic purpose. On the other hand, Ukraine is trying to weaken the important supply center of the Russian armed forces.

(cst, with material from sda)