Ukrainian Attack on Crimea Damages Russian Warships
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Facts
- Two Russian warships were reportedly damaged after Ukraine launched a missile attack on a naval shipyard in Crimea in the early hours of Wednesday.1
- Russia's defense ministry claimed that Ukrainian armed forces attacked the shipyard in Sevastopol with ten cruise missiles, seven of which it said Russian troops shot down.2
- It added that three unmanned motorboats were also directed at the site but were intercepted and destroyed by patrolling vessels.3
- The two vessels that were reportedly damaged — a large landing ship and a submarine — comprise one of Ukraine's most substantial attacks on Crimea and Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the war began.4
- Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of Sevastopol, claimed that four of the 24 people injured in the attack were in a 'moderately severe condition.'5
- Meanwhile, Mykola Oleshchuk, head of Ukraine's air force, thanked his pilots for their 'excellent combat work.' He also strongly implied that UK Storm Shadow or French SCALP cruise missiles were used.4
Sources: 1Tass (a), 2NBC, 3CNN, 4BBC News and 5Tass (b).
Narratives
- Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrinform. The fact that Ukraine used cruise missiles on targets inside Crimea, pierced through Russia's air defenses, and caused substantial damage to its weaponry reminds Moscow that attacks like this will continue until Crimea is rightfully returned.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. Wednesday's incident will have no bearing on the overall direction of the conflict. Moreover, as Crimea has always been integral to Russia, it's futile to think that Ukraine can seize it by attacking Sevastopol and the Black Sea fleet.