War in Ukraine: Kyiv says strikes on two Russian ships in Crimea

On Sunday, Ukraine said it had struck two Russian ships in annexed Crimea. This statement came after the third night of massive Russian bombing of the country, the purpose of which was to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. Moscow says it will respond with these serial strikes to Ukrainian bombings of border regions, which are themselves a response to the daily attacks Russia has been inflicting on Ukrainians since its invasion began on February 24, 2022.

Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 18 of 29 missiles and 25 of 28 explosive drones launched overnight. Damage was noted to urban, energy and port infrastructure in Kyiv, as well as in the Lviv (west), Krivoy Rog (center) and Danube regions (southwest).

The damage appears far less severe than on Friday, when Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, in the northeast on the Russian border, was without electricity, water or heating.

The Russian fleet still suffered

For its part, Ukraine has launched strikes against Sevastopol, Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The latter was significantly weakened by numerous missile and drone attacks.

Kyiv said on Sunday it had sunk two ships again, sinking many others since the war began, a humiliation for Russia, which was forced to abandon its blockade of the coast still under Ukrainian control. “The Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to hit the landing ships Yamal and Azov, as well as the communications center and other infrastructure of the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces Communications Center said in a statement.

On Saturday evening, Russia said it had repelled a “massive” Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol. “According to preliminary information, more than ten missiles were shot down,” Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said on Telegram. He then clarified that debris from the downed missile killed a 65-year-old civilian. Four people were injured, including a teenager.