Attacks on Sevastopol and Belgorod: Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Under Threat as Ukraine Intensifies Offensive

On Sunday, the port city of Sevastopol, located on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, suffered a deadly attack by Ukrainian missiles. According to the Russian Ministry of Health, three deaths and 125 injuries were reported. Among the casualties were two children who died due to debris from shattered rockets. Despite efforts to shoot down several Ukrainian rockets, some of them ended up on the beach near Sevastopol. Local authorities stated that 27 victims, including five with life-threatening injuries, are still hospitalized.

The Russian Defense Ministry has accused the United States of being behind the attack, claiming that ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington to Kiev were used in this incident. The Ministry stated that such actions will not go unanswered. Sevastopol is home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and has a population of over 550,000 people. It is also the largest city on the Crimean peninsula, administratively separate from Crimea where Simferopol is the capital. The region is crucial for Russian military logistics operations.

In another incident on Sunday, a drone strike hit Belgorod in Russia near the Ukrainian border, leaving one person dead and three injured. The local governor reported that a drone exploded in a parking lot while locals claimed it was an act of aggression by Ukraine against its neighboring country. Belgorod has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian attacks with Kiev stating self-defense against Russian aggression on its territory.

These incidents have highlighted tensions between Ukraine and Russia and have led to concerns about further escalation of violence in the region.