Two Russian warships and naval command destroyed by Ukraine

UKRAINE claims to have destroyed two large Russian warships in the Black Sea, along with other facilities used by Moscow’s navy on the annexed Crimean peninsula.

“The Defence Forces have successfully hit the Yamal and Azov landing ships, a communications centre and several infrastructure facilities belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” a Ukrainian military spokesman said.

Storm Shadow missiles were reportedly used in the attack, which the UK has supplied to Kyiv since May 2023.

The Anglo-french developed missiles have a range of over 155 miles and can fly low under radar coverage, enabling Ukraine to hit Russian targets far behind the front lines.

A Russian-installed regional official confirmed a major Ukrainian air attack had taken place and said more than 10 missiles were shot down over the Black Sea port of Sevastopol.

Open-source intelligence analysts shared geolocated footage showing a large fireball erupting from what is reportedly a major Russian naval communications centre in Sevastopol. The site is said to be the former headquarters of the Ukrainian Black Sea fleet, which was captured when the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014.

The strike came as Russia launched its third “massive” air attack on Ukraine in four days with 57 missile and drone attacks reported in Kyiv and Lviv.

The majority were intercepted as the Ukrainian air force reported that it destroyed 18 out of 29 missiles and 25 out of 28 attack drones. There were no reports of casualties, said Sergiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration. “The enemy continues massive missile terror against Ukraine,” he said.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said: “After years of illegal Russian control over Crimea, the destruction of these key Russian vessels marks a significant milestone... it means that Putin can no longer exercise safely in the Black Sea, even though the Russian Fleet has operated there since 1783.

“The world cannot afford for Ukraine to lose this war and our support against Russia’s invading forces will remain undimmed,” the Tory MP said.

Russia has lost nearly a quarter of its Black Sea Fleet since the invasion, including its flagship, the Moskva, which was sunk by missiles in 2022.