Russia Accuses US of Deadly Attack in Sevastopol

The Russian Defence Ministry has accused the United States of the deadly Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol, in the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.

According to a statement released on the ministry's Telegram channel on Sunday, the assault, which employed five US-supplied missiles, claimed the lives of at least five people, including three children.

“All flight missions for American ATACMS missiles are programmed by American specialists using US Satellite Intel Data,” the ministry said. “Therefore, the responsibility for the deliberate missile strike against civilians lies primarily with Washington.”

The ministry detailed that Sevastopol was targeted by five missiles, four of which were intercepted. The fifth missile exploded in the air, causing significant casualties among local residents. Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of chaos, with beachgoers fleeing from the site and people in swimsuits carrying a stretcher.

The ministry vowed that such actions would not go unanswered. 

Health officials reported that the attack injured at least 124 people, 27 of whom were children. The Russian-installed Governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, announced that five children are in intensive care.

Razvozhayev said that all available emergency medical crews were swiftly deployed, and the injured were transported to hospitals for treatment.

“Some people have already been taken to a hospital, and they are being provided with all the necessary assistance,” Razvozhayev said. “All forces have been mobilised.”

Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, suggested that the timing of the attack was intentional, coinciding with the Holy Trinity day. She accused the Ukrainian Armed Forces of committing "ritual" crimes on significant holidays. 

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on charges of terrorism under article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code. June 24 has been declared a day of mourning in Sevastopol and Crimea.

Sevastopol, a key Black Sea port and traditional headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has been a flashpoint since its annexation by Russia in 2014. Despite international condemnation and ongoing disputes, Russia maintains control over the peninsula. Ukraine and the global community, including the United Nations, continue to recognize Crimea as part of Ukraine, condemning the 2014 Moscow-backed referendum as illegitimate.