By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies
Sevastopol, Crimea — In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Sevastopol in Crimea on Friday, using U.S.-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems). Russian state-run media reported that the attack resulted in debris striking a nine-story residential building, although no casualties have been reported.
According to Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Kremlin-appointed governor of Sevastopol, an ATACMS missile’s debris caused damage to the roof of a high-rise building on Simonka Street. The missile’s high-explosive component reportedly penetrated the building’s roof and lodged in the top-floor mechanical room. “Our military repelled a massive attack on Sevastopol,” Razvozhaev stated on his Telegram channel, adding that air defense systems managed to intercept four “air targets.”
Despite the missile damage, Razvozhaev assured residents that there were no injuries and that efforts were underway to clean up the missile debris. The governor announced the temporary evacuation of residents from the affected area as a precautionary measure. “After the special services finish their work, everyone will be able to return home,” he said, urging people to remain indoors and avoid areas where missile debris had fallen.
The Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that Ukrainian forces targeted multiple military assets in the region, including one of Russia’s S-400 Triumph air defense systems and a radar system used for missile guidance. However, Newsweek has not independently verified these claims.
This attack comes amidst heightened tensions as Ukraine continues its efforts to reclaim Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, attacks on Crimea have increased, with Ukrainian forces frequently using ATACMS missiles to target strategic military sites, including airfields.
Russian pro-war military bloggers have expressed growing concerns about Russia’s air defense capabilities. In June, Boris Rozhin, a Crimea-based blogger, highlighted the need for urgent revisions to Russia’s air defense systems following a reported Ukrainian strike on the Belgorod region, which damaged parts of a Russian S-300/400 air defense system.
As the conflict intensifies, the effectiveness of Russia’s defenses remains under scrutiny, and the situation in Crimea continues to evolve rapidly. Newsweek has reached out to Russia’s Defense Ministry for further comment.