Ukraine launches a new strike against the headquarters of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea | Ukraine

Ukraine launched a new attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, with officials in the annexed Crimea peninsula saying air defenses downed at least one drone.

The attack was reported on Saturday morning – a day after explosions occurred near military bases In the Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine and Russia itself – It came amid cautious optimism elsewhere as two more grain ships left a Ukrainian port.

Thanks to shipments from the port of Chornomorsk, the total number that left Ukraine from the Black Sea under a UN-brokered agreement rose to 27.

Although there appeared to be no significant damage following the drone attack (UAV) on Sevastopol, which has not been independently verified by the Guardian, observers said it demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to do so. Deep strike behind Russian lines in prestige goals.

video Subscribed to Twitter It appears to show Russian air defenses trying to engage the drones and black plumes of smoke rising from the city.

Mikhail Razvogayev, the governor of Sevastopol, wrote on Telegram that a drone had hit the roof of the headquarters on Saturday and said that there were no casualties, the Russian news agency reported. tast.

“I am in [Black Sea] Fleet headquarters now. A drone hit the roof here 25 minutes ago. Unfortunately, it was not shot down… There were no injuries,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday that its forces had killed a total of 44,900 Russian soldiers – an increase of 200 from the previous day.

On Friday, the United States said for the first time that it would provide Ukraine with ScanEagle reconnaissance drones, mine-resistant vehicles, anti-armor rounds and howitzers in a new £655 million aid package to aid its efforts to retake Ukrainian territory.

“These capabilities are carefully tuned to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table,” Anthony BlinkenThe US Secretary of State said.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, said in response to the announcement, it was “another important step to defeat the aggressor.”

Wednesday marks six months of war in the region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While Russia made gains in the east, it was put on the defensive in other areas as Ukraine stepped up its attacks in Crimea in the Black Sea, which it was. It was taken over by Russia in 2014..

Last week, it was reported that a total of nine Russian warplanes were destroyed at an air base in Crimea.

Russian leaders have warned that such strikes indicate an escalation in the conflict, with the support of the United States and NATO allies.

In its latest intelligence update on the conflict, Britain said Ministry of Defense (The Defense Department) said last week that it sees “only minor changes in territorial control along the frontline.”

And in the Donbass, she said that Russian troops approached the outskirts of Bakhmut but did not storm the city. In the southwest, it reported that neither Ukrainian nor Russian forces had made progress on the front line in occupied Kherson, but added: “The increasingly frequent explosions behind Russian lines may confirm Russian logistics and air bases in the south.”

While predicting that major changes were unlikely in the coming week, the Defense Ministry said, “Over the coming months, the initiative will go to whatever side it manages to create a force that is reliable and committed to offensive operations.”