Ukrainian Cruise Missiles Target Crimean Shipyard

Ukrainian cruise missiles have struck a shipyard in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, according to Russia's defense ministry. The attack, which Moscow claims damaged two ships undergoing repairs, underscores the intensification of Kyiv's actions in the Moscow-annexed peninsula. Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, reported that Ukraine employed three maritime drones and launched ten cruise missiles in the strike. "The Ukrainian armed forces launched a strike with 10 cruise missiles at the S. Ordzhonikidze ship repair plant," stated Moscow's defense ministry. It further disclosed that seven of the missiles were intercepted by air defense systems, while the Vasily Bykov patrol ship successfully neutralized all the drones. As a consequence of the missile strikes, two ships undergoing repairs sustained damage. Crimea has consistently faced attacks from Ukraine during Moscow's offensive, but recent events have witnessed an uptick in hostilities, as Kyiv remains resolute in its determination to reclaim the peninsula. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk shared an image on social media depicting a substantial blaze at a port, affirming that Russia was still grappling with the aftermath of the attack. He expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian Air Force pilots for their "excellent combat work." While Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat confirmed the operation's success, details remained undisclosed. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-backed governor of Sevastopol, Crimea's largest city and home to Russia's Black Sea fleet, reported his presence at the shipyard fire scene on social media. He noted that preliminary information indicated 24 individuals were injured as a result of the attack, with four in moderate condition. The missile strike amplifies concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in the region, posing challenges to efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.