By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KYIV/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Russia has admitted that one of its warships was hit in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port in Russian-occupied Crimea early Tuesday, killing at least one person. The strike on the peninsula comes after modern Ukraine celebrated its first Christmas Day under a new calendar amid ongoing clashes.
A blast shook the troubled region, footage showed, as Russia’s Ministry of Defence said Ukrainian plane-launched guided missiles struck the large landing ship Novocherkassk.
Moscow didn’t specify how much the Russian ship was damaged, but online videos showed a massive fire in the port area. Ukrainian authorities claimed the vessel was destroyed and said it was likely carrying an ammunition shipment, possibly including drones.
Moscow, in turn, claimed the two Ukrainian fighter jets involved in the attack were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire, but there was no immediate confirmation from Kyiv.
The Russia-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said one person was killed in Tuesday’s attack and several others injured. He added that six buildings were damaged, and a small group had to be taken to temporary accommodation centers.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces increased attacks around Crimea, mostly with sea drones.
MORE ATTACKS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said those strikes enabled Ukraine to restore navigation in the Black Sea and allowed the export of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain.
In September, a Ukrainian attack hit the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, also killing one person, and Ukraine launched more missiles against the city on the following day.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, ahead of its full invasion of the country in February last year.
Tuesday’s attack came after Ukraine officially celebrated Christmas on December 25 for the first time since 1917. Authorities view the move as more than just a change of date from January 7 – the date for Christmas in the Julian calendar, which Russia uses.
Kyiv has made clear it is part of a significant cultural and religious shift in the country and an attempt to eradicate Moscow’s influence in the wartorn nation.
The introduction of the Western Gregorian calendar is also seen as a sign of Kyiv’s ongoing attempt to further integrate into Europe as it seeks membership in the European Union.
SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE
Kiyv resident Sasha Soronevych says changing the date is of symbolic importance. “I feel like it will not only change the date but also the feelings inside us,” she noticed.
Something is certain: Whether Christmas always comes despite the ongoing war. Russia made clear its forces had stopped Ukraine’s counteroffensive and are now pushing forward on all fronts.
Inside Russia, Moscow is also cracking down on dissent: Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on Tuesday confirmed his arrival at what he called a snow-swept prison above the Arctic Circle.
He said he was in excellent spirits despite a tiring 20-day journey to get to the IK-3 penal colony about 1,900 kilometers or 1,180 miles northeast of Moscow.
Referring to the harsh weather conditions there and Russia’s Father Christmas, he wrote online: “I am your new Father Frost.”
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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