In a recent incident, reports have emerged of a Ukrainian missile striking the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Navy in Sevastopol, located in the Crimean region. Concurrently, a major cyber attack disrupted internet services across the peninsula. Russian-installed officials have provided their perspective on the matter.
Russia’s defense ministry initially stated that one serviceman had been killed in the attack but later revised their statement, indicating that the individual was missing.
Ukraine’s military confirmed its involvement in the attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet’s headquarters, though it withheld detailed information.
According to a statement released on the Telegram messaging app, “On September 22, at approximately 12:00 local time, Ukraine’s defense forces successfully struck the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea fleet command in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol.”
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, reported that the attack had resulted in a fire. He urged people to avoid the city center, where the naval building is located, as firefighters worked to contain the blaze, leading to some road closures.
Razvozhayev also mentioned that there were no reports of civilian casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure in his communication on the incident via Telegram.
Ukraine has recently intensified its attacks on Russian military targets in Russian-held territories. Crimea, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014, remains a contentious issue.
Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council, presented two options for the future of Russia’s Black Sea fleet: voluntary self-neutralization or forced measures. He ominously stated that if the voluntary option wasn’t chosen, it would face division.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak asserted that Crimea would ultimately be “demilitarized and liberated.”
In the midst of these developments, Moscow has vowed never to relinquish control of the Crimean peninsula. Russia’s defense ministry reported that air defenses successfully intercepted five missiles. Additionally, authorities aligned with Russia stated that air defenses had downed another missile near the town of Bakhchysarai.
Separately, Oleg Kryuchkov, an aide to Crimea’s head Sergei Aksyonov, revealed that internet service providers on the peninsula were facing an “unprecedented cyber attack,” leading to disruptions in services.
Poland’s Prime Minister Entangles Diplomatic Dispute with Ukraine
Poland’s prime minister has entered a simmering diplomatic dispute with Ukraine over grain imports. In a recent decision, Poland extended a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, which strained its relationship with Ukraine, traditionally seen as one of its staunchest allies since Russia invaded Ukraine in February the previous year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had drawn criticism when he expressed concerns about the “political theater” surrounding grain imports during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He also emphasized Kyiv’s efforts to preserve land routes for grain exports.
In response, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki cautioned Zelenskiy against “insulting” Poles and addressed the issue at an election rally. Poland was heading for a parliamentary election on October 15, with Morawiecki’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party receiving scrutiny from the far right for its perceived subservient stance toward Ukraine.
Analysts suggest that these political dynamics have prompted PiS, which is expected to remain the largest party but may not secure a majority, to adopt a more confrontational approach toward Kyiv in the fiercely contested campaign.
Source: with agencies