Ukraine has announced that Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and 33 other officers were killed in a missile attack on the fleet's headquarters located in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

This attack, which occurred last week, marks a substantial loss for Russia's naval leadership.

Ukraine's special forces have asserted that the strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters was intended to target a meeting of the Russian Navy's top brass. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 34 officers, including Admiral Viktor Sokolov, one of Russia's most senior navy officers. Additionally, 105 individuals among the occupying forces sustained injuries, further underscoring the gravity of the incident.

The aftermath of the missile strike has left the headquarters building in ruins, making it impossible to restore. This incident has escalated tensions in the region and intensified the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Russian authorities have reported a separate missile attack on Sevastopol in the annexed Crimean Peninsula. According to Russian officials, their air defense systems successfully repelled the attack. The missile in question was intercepted near the Belbek military airfield, as confirmed by the Moscow-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev.

These developments mark a concerning escalation in hostilities, drawing renewed attention to the volatile situation in the region and the need for diplomatic efforts to mitigate further conflict. (ILKHA)