Russia's Sevastopol naval port came under attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning, raising concerns of an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Social media platforms were inundated with videos and images depicting raging fires engulfing the Sevastopol shipyard. Reports of potential casualties and injuries began to circulate, with at least 24 individuals reported wounded as a result of the attack.
Initial assessments strongly suggest that the assault was a missile strike, a claim bolstered by statements from Sevastopol's governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev. The attack specifically targeted the Kilen-Balka area of Sevastopol and is believed to have been initiated by a Ukrainian air attack.
Reports indicate that four of the injured are in serious condition. Photographs shared on social media further suggest that military vessels at the naval port may have borne the brunt of the attack, with open source analysts speculating that a Russian submarine might have been among the primary targets.
It is believed that Ukraine may have employed long-range missiles supplied by Western NATO partners for this large-scale assault.
Amidst the chaos, the Biden administration is contemplating supplying Kiev with ATACMS or GMLRS missiles, despite earlier concerns about the risk of escalating tensions with Russia. This decision underscores the international community's growing unease over the conflict's trajectory.
The attack on Sevastopol is viewed by many as a desperate gambit by Ukraine, possibly aimed at provoking a broader conflict that could draw NATO into the fray. The incident further complicates an already volatile situation in the region and threatens to plunge Eastern Europe into a deeper crisis.
The attack on Sevastopol occurred on the same day as a global outage of the Starlink satellite internet service, a company founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Unverified claims have circulated, suggesting Musk's involvement or interference in Ukraine.