Ukraine strikes Russia’s Black Sea fleet headquarters in missile attack

A Ukrainian missile hit Russia’s Black Sea fleet navy headquarters in Crimea on Friday, leaving one service member missing amid an ongoing fire damaging the building, The Associated Press reported.

Ukrainian officials took responsibility for the attack, saying in a statement from Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk, “We promised that there will be more.”  

This is the latest in the ongoing war between the countries and marks Crimea as a repeated Ukrainian target since Russia invaded the country early last year, and after a previous missile hit and killed multiple civilians in Crimea.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Telegram that “during the repelling of a missile attack, five missiles were shot down by air defense systems,” further mentioning that a service member was missing. 

Residents in Sevastopol, the surrounding area of the attack, said they heard explosions and saw smoke, according to The Associated Press.

The attack comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington D.C. to meet with President Biden and Congressional leadership, requesting support for his country in defense of Russia’s invasion.