Russia claims Ukraine carried out a drone attack on the Crimean peninsula. Six people are said to have been injured – of all days on “Navy Day”. But the Ukrainians deny it and have their own suspicions.
According to Russian reports, the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet was attacked with a drone in the city of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, which according to international law belongs to Ukraine. Six people were injured on Sunday, said the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Rasvozhayev, in his blog on the Telegram news channel.
But is that really true? The Ukrainian Navy has denied the attack on Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. In reality, the Russians, fearing Ukrainian attacks, did not dare to hold the “Navy Day” celebrations there as planned, according to a message published on Facebook.
“And in order not to embarrass himself in front of the whole world because he (the enemy) fears the armed forces of Ukraine, he invented a reason to cancel the events.”
The Russian side had canceled the celebrations in Sevastopol, which were held in many regions of Russia, with reference to the alleged Ukrainian attack. “Early this morning, Ukrainian nationalists decided to spoil our Navy Day,” wrote Governor Razvozhayev. The drone had hit the courtyard of the headquarters, said Rasvoschajew and showed photos of the destruction.
The injured are staff members of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. There are no dead. “I ask that you remain calm and stay at home if possible,” Rasvozhayev wrote. The domestic secret service FSB and the responsible authorities worked to clarify the case.
Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected a parade with warships, aircraft and thousands of soldiers on “Navy Day” in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin chief also used the traditional event as a demonstration of power a good five months after the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Parades honoring the naval forces and their various fleets were held in several regions of Russia.
40 warships, including submarines, were to take part in St. Petersburg. According to the Kremlin, Russia is also planning a naval parade in the port of the Syrian city of Tartus in the Mediterranean. Russia is in the war in Syria with President Bashar al-Assad.
