’34 officers died, including the commander of the Russian armed forces,’ Kyiv says.

The commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, died in Ukraine’s barrage on occupied Crimea last week, Kyiv said Monday.

“After the defeat of the headquarters of the Russian armed forces, 34 officers died, including the commander of the Russian armed forces. Another 105 occupiers were wounded. The headquarters building cannot be restored,” Ukraine’s special operations forces said Monday.

In an initial statement after the attack, the Russian defense ministry said it had shot down five incoming missiles and only one serviceman was killed, though the fleet’s headquarters were damaged.

But rumors about Sokolov’s death circulated online and Ukraine jumped Monday at the chance to confirm the speculation. POLITICO has not independently verified the claims.

The attack was the latest in Ukraine’s quest to liberate occupied Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin seized in 2014. Two weeks ago, Ukraine wrecked a Russian submarine in the port of Sevastopol and also regained control of strategically important oil and gas drilling platforms located in the Black Sea.

  • nucleative@lemmy.worldEnglish
    331·
    1 year ago

    Serious question… if the Ukrainians attack Russian assets on Russian soil, there has got to be some red line that could push Putin to consider nukes in retaliation.

    I presume the Ukrainian calculus with this is to remove Russia’s will to fight but do not push so far that Russia becomes afraid for it’s existence.

    “A cornered rat will attack the cat” or something like that.

    • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      1 year ago

      This was Crimea, which is certainly territory in contention so fair game.

      Ukraine seems quick to claim responsibility for attacks on their territory, but tries to leave plausible deniability when against Russian territory - it could be Russians doing it and Ukraine only supported them

    • m0nky@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      121·
      1 year ago

      Stop fear mongering. I guess this account is from a Russian troll farm or something. Well, fuck you, Russia.

    • steltek@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      1 year ago

      Most nuclear countries have had conventional conflicts since 1945. Many have lost without (publicly) considering nukes. The closest was the UN vs China in the 50’s and it got MacArthur removed from command for asking.

      • ours@lemmy.filmEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        During the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the US military started a nuclear contingency plan. LBJ shot it down.