Attack on Russian navy HQ in Crimea raises stakes

Last Friday, an attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea was launched, reportedly following a request from U.S. and UK intelligence services, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"There is no doubt that the attack was preplanned with the use of Western Intelligence assets, NATO satellite equipment, aircraft identifiers, and was carried out following requests from American and British Intelligence services in close coordination with them," said Maria Zakharova, the ministry's spokesperson.

The attack occurred last Friday on the Crimean Peninsula, where the Ukrainian military bombed the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.

The main building of the facility was engulfed in flames from a Ukrainian missile explosion on Friday morning.

In contrast to previous incidents, the Ukrainian Armed Forces' high command claimed responsibility for this operation, describing it as a "successful attack." The Russian fleet's headquarters had previously been hit in July 2022, resulting in injuries to six individuals.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and the liberation of the peninsula is the ultimate goal of the Ukrainian counteroffensive that began last June on the southern and eastern fronts of the conflict.

[With information sourced from Reuters]