There has been a stony silence from Moscow after Ukraine’s claims Monday that a missile strike it carried out on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol last Friday killed 34 Russian officers, including the commander of the fleet, and wounded 105 others.
Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov attends a ceremony marking 240th anniversary of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea May 13, 2023.
Alexey Pavlishak | Reuters
Russia has not publicly commented on Ukraine’s claims which, if proven, would represent a severe blow to Russia’s naval command.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces said on Telegram Monday that its strike meant that the headquarters could not be restored. It said the number of fatalities had been so high “given that the Minsk large landing ship was supposed to go on combat duty the next day, the personnel were present at the ship. Irreversible losses amounted to 62 occupiers.”
CNBC was unable to immediately verify the information in the post and it’s uncertain how Ukraine arrived at the figure for the Russian dead and wounded.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces said on Telegram Monday that its strike meant that the headquarters could not be restored. It said the number of fatalities had been so high “given that the Minsk large landing ship was supposed to go on combat duty the next day, the personnel were present at the ship. Irreversible losses amounted to 62 occupiers.”
CNBC was unable to immediately verify the information in the post and it’s uncertain how Ukraine arrived at the figure for the Russian dead and wounded.
No comment from Moscow after Ukraine says Russia’s Black Sea Fleet commander killed
Russia has remained tight-lipped about Ukraine’s claim to have killed the commander of the Black Sea Fleet in a missile strike on its headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, last Friday.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond when asked by CNBC to confirm or deny whether Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, had been killed. If proven, Sokolov’s killing would represent a severe blow to Russia’s naval leadership.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond when asked by CNBC to confirm or deny whether Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, had been killed. If proven, Sokolov’s killing would represent a severe blow to Russia’s naval leadership.
Viktor Sokolov attends a ceremony marking the 240th anniversary of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea, on May 13, 2023.
Alexey Pavlishak | Reuters
Ukraine’s special operations forces said on Telegram Monday that “after the strike on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, 34 officers died, including the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Another 105 occupiers were wounded. The headquarters building cannot be restored.”
Ukraine has targeted Russian military bases in Crimea repeatedly in recent months, its strikes on the Russian navy headquarters on Friday being one of the most audacious attacks. It also attacked Russian military facilities near Sevastopol last Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
— Holly Ellyatt
- It was not clear how Ukraine counted the Russian dead and wounded in the attack.
Ukraine has targeted Russian military bases in Crimea repeatedly in recent months, its strikes on the Russian navy headquarters on Friday being one of the most audacious attacks. It also attacked Russian military facilities near Sevastopol last Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
— Holly Ellyatt
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