Ukraine announced it successfully targeted two Russian naval vessels, the Yamal and the Azov, along with a communications center and various infrastructure belonging to the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea. The Ukrainian general staff claims these strikes are part of its ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s naval capabilities in the region. Russia’s response to these claims has been muted, with only indirect acknowledgments from local Russian-appointed officials regarding the attacks.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces announced this morning that the Strike last night on the Russian-Occupied City of Sevastopol in Crimea utilizing “Storm Shadow” Long-Range Cruise Missile resulted in Damage to several Infrastructure Targets, a Communication Center for the Black Sea’s… pic.twitter.com/QiOVnp8XmM
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 24, 2024
The Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, a key port city in Crimea, reported that Ukrainian forces launched a substantial missile assault, which resulted in damages to residential areas and transport infrastructure. Despite efforts to intercept the incoming missiles, with claims of shooting down 10 Ukrainian projectiles, the attacks have raised serious questions about the Russian fleet’s vulnerability in the Black Sea.
The UK Defence Secretary praised Ukraine’s actions, interpreting them as a significant blow to Russian naval operations in the region and underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining Ukrainian resistance against Russian aggression. These sentiments highlight the international dimension of the conflict, emphasizing the global stakes involved in Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
On Sunday, Russia launched a large-scale airstrike on the western region of Lviv and other areas, including the capital, Kyiv. According to Kyiv’s reports, the offensive consisted of 57 missiles and drones, marking a substantial increase in hostilities and part of a series of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Lviv’s regional governor, Maksym Kozytskyi, highlighted that the strikes specifically targeted a critical infrastructure facility in Lviv, employing Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported that an essential energy facility in Lviv was hit, leading to a power outage, though it was not specified if this was the same facility mentioned by Kozytskyi.
Kyiv in smoke from fires after massive Russian missile attack pic.twitter.com/kRJqY7bfyR
— Орест (@kztsky) December 29, 2023
Poland is set to request an explanation from Moscow after a Russian missile crossed into Polish airspace during the large-scale missile attack on Ukraine. The event prompted Poland to increase the readiness level of its forces. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported heightened military readiness due to Russian long-range aviation activity and missile strikes in Ukraine, mentioning that Polish and allied aircraft were activated. The Russian missile entered Polish airspace near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and was in the area for 39 seconds, during which it was tracked by military radar. Poland’s defense minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that Poland had activated all air defense and air force systems in response.
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