The Russian Ministry of Defense has accused the United States of primary responsibility for Sunday’s missile attack on Sevastopol in the annexed Crimea region, which resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including two minors.
As repported by digi24, the ministry claims that the attack was carried out using ATACMS missiles supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine.
“The responsibility for the deliberate missile strike against the civilian population in Sevastopol lies first and foremost with Washington, which provided these weapons to Ukraine, as well as the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this attack was launched,” stated the ministry in a communiqué.
Details of the Sevastopol Attack
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian forces launched five U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, equipped with cluster warheads, targeting Sevastopol, the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed four of the missiles, but a fifth missile veered off course and exploded on the coast of the peninsula. The explosion killed three civilians, including two young girls aged 2 and 9, and injured 124 others, according to the latest figures from medical authorities. Videos circulating on social media show beachgoers fleeing in panic at the sound of the explosions. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case for terrorism and is currently determining the circumstances and individuals involved in the attack, whose actions will be legally evaluated.
U.S. Weapons and Ukrainian Operations
The incident highlights the increasing use of U.S.-supplied weaponry by Ukrainian forces. Washington announced in April that it had sent ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, fulfilling a longstanding request from Kyiv for weapons capable of striking deeper behind enemy lines.
Ukraine first used American ATACMS missiles against Russia in October, but the recently supplied missiles boast a longer range of up to 300 kilometers.
While Ukraine has not commented on the Sevastopol attack, the Russian military command has warned that these actions will not go unanswered.
