Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection stated late Monday {that a} strike destroyed Russian “Kalibr” cruise missiles that have been being transported by prepare within the city of Dzhankoi, in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian authorities didn’t instantly declare duty for the strike however stated it serves to additional “demilitarize Russia and put together the Crimean peninsula for de-occupation.”
Sergei Askyonov, the Russian-installed head of the annexed peninsula, confirmed there was a strike and the area’s air protection system was activated. One individual was injured and two buildings have been broken, Askyonov stated.
Newbie video geolocated by CNN exhibits a big explosion and ensuing fireball. A person is heard saying off-camera the strike hit the prepare station. Nonetheless, the video didn’t clearly present what had been hit and CNN hasn’t been capable of verify the precise location of the strike.
Two of Russia’s most essential navy airfields in Crimea are positioned in Dzhankoi and Gvardeyskoye, Britain’s Ministry of Protection stated in 2022.
“Dzhankoi can be a key highway and rail junction that performs an essential function in supplying Russia’s operations in southern Ukraine,” it stated.
Crimea additionally hosts an essential port and a serious naval base for Russia’s Black Sea fleet within the metropolis of Sevastopol. A few of Russia’s most essential warships have been docked there, together with floor ships geared up with cruise missiles.
The US has beforehand accused Russia of utilizing cruise missiles fired from ships within the Black Sea to hit civilian targets in Ukraine.
Crimea annexation
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2021, Ukraine has launched a number of strikes in opposition to Russian positions in Crimea and operations that its navy stated destroyed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles.
Ukrainian officers, together with President Volodymyr Zelensky, have repeatedly vowed to liberate the peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. Zelensky has beforehand harassed that for Ukrainians, Crimea is “not just a few territory” however “part of our individuals, our society.”
The strike follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s go to to Crimea on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of its annexation. The go to, which additionally included a cease in Russian-occupied Mariupol, got here simply days after the Worldwide Felony Courtroom accused the Russian president of committing conflict crimes in Ukraine and issued a warrant for his arrest over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian kids to Russia.
The ICC fees are the primary to be formally lodged in opposition to officers in Moscow because it started its unprovoked assault on Ukraine final yr. The Kremlin has labeled the ICC’s actions as “outrageous and unacceptable.”
The strike comes as Putin hosts Chinese language chief Xi Jinping on the Kremlin in Moscow. Throughout a gathering on Monday, Xi informed Putin that China and Russia have “related objectives” and he expressed assist for Putin to be reelected. The conflict in Ukraine was raised within the first hours of their assembly, and is predicted to be a key level of dialogue all through Xi’s three-day go to.
This text was initially printed by cnn.com. Learn the authentic article right here.
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