Crimea Is Getting Pounded

[ichkeria]

After the attacks on air bases and air defence assets on the peninsula in recent days, the Black Sea Fleet HQ in central Sevastopol was hit this afternoon, and although officuially there were no casualties, unofficially it seems that was far from the case. And there's just been another huge explosion in the city.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-strikes-headquarters-russia-black-sea-fleet-crimea-rcna116848

This time there was no prevaricating by Ukrainian sources as to responsibility, and they even indicated that these were British or French cruise missiles launced from Su-24.

 

Meanwhile it was confirmed that in Zaporizhzhya, Ukrainian forces hve definitely broken through all the Russian defence lines and can advance on Tokmak, a vital rail hub.

 

And NBC reports that contrary to public statements from Jake Sullivan, The US will after all send a small number of long range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. At long last.

Russia appears to have also lost a naval commander in land-locked Nagorno-Karabakh during Azerbaijan's own (and rather more successful) special military operation, to add to having its Black Sea Fleet attacked by a country with no navy to speak of ...

https://www.rferl.org/a/top-russia-navy-officer-killed-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh/32602846.html

[ynnafymmi]

@16.44.Err,no,Anne.When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 he said when i conquer Russia all Europe will be mine-he was wrong-hundreds of thousands of dead French soldiers proved him wrong.When Hitler invaded Russia in 1941 he said it would be a six week war-millions of dead German soldiers proved him wrong.When Putin invaded Ukraine he hoped it would be a quick victory(maybe a couple of months).How many dead Russians will it take to prove Putin wrong?

[retrocop]

Thanks very much for your detailed reply and assessment . Much appreciated Ichkeria

[ichkeria]

You're welcome retro

[Gromit]

Moscow says no one died in the attack on the Black Sea Fleet HQ.

Hard to believe when you watch film of it being bombed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-66898073

[ichkeria]

From holosamerykycom:

The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that several Russian generals are in serious condition, but did not confirm the reports of the alleged death of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

As a result of Ukraine's attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, at least 9 people were killed and 16 were injured. Among them are Russian generals. The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reported this in an exclusive comment to the Ukrainian service of the Voice of America.

Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Olexandr) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General (Oleg) Tsekov, is unconscious. The number of injured regular servicemen who are not employees of the headquarters is still being determined. These are military personnel who are on duty, security, and so on — they are not included in the list that I announced to you," 

[ichkeria]

Russian telegram channels claim at least 34 high ranking officers were killed in that attack 

[ichkeria]

Ukraine now saying consistently that the head of the Black Sea Fleet  Admiral Sokolov died in the attack along with 34 other officers and over 100 injured. 
Last night's strike in Odesa possibly a revenge attack on civilians 

[Gromit]

// 

Ukraine has claimed it killed Adm Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, along with 33 other officers, in one of Kyiv’s boldest attacks yet on the occupied peninsula of Crimea.

The Ukrainian military said Friday’s attack on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol was timed to coincide with a meeting of naval officials. //

Let's hope there are more successful missions like this one.

[Peter Pedant]

God I really hope so

[ichkeria]

Not worth a separate thread for now as there's no link but ...

Tokmak: you'll be heading about it soon :-)

Full-on assault now by the Ukrainian forces after slowly breaking through enemy defences 

[ichkeria]

"Hearing" (!)