KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has sunk a Russian submarine and hit a Russian airfield in the past 24 hours, in line with a surge of long-range attacks against Russian targets, officials said. Russia said Ukrainian drones also hit an apartment building, killing one person.
The uptick in attacks since July come as Ukraine mounts pressure on allies to allow it to use long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia. Western allies, in particular the U.S., have so far resisted, fearing escalation from Moscow.
Ukraine struck a Russian Kilo-class submarine and an S-400 anti aircraft missile complex in the Moscow-occupied Crimean peninsula, according to a statement from the General Staff on Saturday. The air defense system was established to protect the Kerch Strait Bridge, an important logistics and transport hub supplying Russian forces.
Units of the missile forces, as well as the Navy damaged four launchers of the Triumph air defense system, while in the port of Sevastopol, the “Rostov-on-Don” — a submarine of Russia’s Black Sea fleet — was attacked and sank, the statement said.
The General Staff also confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region after launching a massive drone barrage on Russia. Hits were recorded in warehouses with ammunition, where guided aerial bombs were stored. The operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, the Main Directorate of Intelligence and the Defense Ministry, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said that a woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on an apartment building in the town of Shebekino early Sunday. Ukrainian drones also damaged several other buildings in the town, he said.
Gladkov said eight civilians have been wounded in the region by Ukrainian shelling and dozens of drone strikes since the previous day.
In the span of a month, Russia has experienced a surge in the tempo of Ukrainian drone barrages and long-range attacks, targeting Russian military infrastructure, including airfields and oil depots. Analysts say such an intensification is needed if Ukraine is to degrade Russian capabilities.
In a bold display of military strength, Ukraine has recently increased its long-range strikes against Russian forces, resulting in the sinking of a Russian submarine and the targeting of a key airfield. This escalation of hostilities comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two countries, with Ukraine seeking to defend its sovereignty and push back against Russian aggression.
The incident involving the sinking of a Russian submarine occurred in the Black Sea, where Ukrainian forces successfully targeted and destroyed the vessel with precision strikes. This marks a significant blow to the Russian navy and demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to effectively defend its maritime borders.
In addition to the submarine attack, Ukrainian forces also targeted a strategic airfield in eastern Ukraine that is reportedly used by Russian military aircraft. The airfield was hit with a series of airstrikes, causing significant damage to the runway and infrastructure. This action is seen as a direct response to Russian incursions into Ukrainian airspace and serves as a warning to Moscow that Ukraine will not tolerate further provocations.
The increase in long-range strikes by Ukraine is part of a broader strategy to deter Russian aggression and protect its territorial integrity. The Ukrainian government has made it clear that it will not back down in the face of Russian threats and will continue to defend its borders by any means necessary.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, with many countries expressing support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense. The United States, in particular, has condemned Russia’s actions and reiterated its commitment to standing by Ukraine in the face of aggression.
As tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, the risk of further conflict remains high. It is crucial for both sides to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to resolve their differences peacefully. However, if Russia continues to escalate its military actions, Ukraine has shown that it is prepared to respond with force to protect its sovereignty and national security.
