Russian authorities have blamed the United States for a deadly attack on the Crimean Peninsula on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including two children, and the injury of about 150 others. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that four Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine were responsible for the attack, as they were equipped with cluster warheads. Russian air defense systems shot down four of the missiles, while a fifth was detonated midair. The incident occurred near a beach in Sevastopol, with fragments of the missiles falling on civilians.
The Russian Defense Ministry accused U.S. specialists of setting the flight coordinates for the missiles based on information acquired from U.S. spy satellites, placing the blame on Washington officials for the attack on Sevastopol. They also held the Kyiv regime responsible for allowing the strike to take place from its territory. Russian officials emphasized that the responsibility for the attack on civilians in Sevastopol lies primarily with the U.S. for supplying the weapons to Ukraine. Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, is considered Russian territory, and authorities in Crimea, installed by Russia, raised concerns over the attacks and the alleged involvement of U.S.-supplied missiles.
The Moscow-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported that 151 people were injured in the attack, with 82 individuals hospitalized, including both adults and children. In response to the tragic incident, all public events in Sevastopol were canceled, and a day of mourning was declared. This attack comes after the U.S. began supplying Ukraine with ATACMS missiles earlier in the year, granting the country the capability to strike targets within a range of 186 miles. Russian state television aired footage of the aftermath of the attack, showing people fleeing from the beach and being carried away on sun loungers.
The incident in Crimea has sparked a diplomatic controversy, with Russia blaming the U.S. for supplying Ukraine with missiles that caused the deadly attack. The tensions between the two countries have heightened as Russia holds Washington responsible for the tragic consequences of the missile strike on civilians in Sevastopol. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 has been a point of contention between Russia and Western countries, and this incident has further exacerbated the strained relations. Both Russia and the U.S. have a history of geopolitical conflicts, and this latest incident adds to the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
The attack in Crimea has raised concerns about the use of advanced weaponry supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine and the potential consequences of such transfers. The involvement of U.S.-supplied missiles in an attack on civilians has drawn international attention and condemnation, with calls for a thorough investigation into the incident. The situation in Crimea remains volatile, with Russian authorities emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims while blaming the U.S. for the deadly attack. As the investigation into the incident continues, the tension between Russia and the U.S. is likely to escalate, further complicating the already strained relations between the two countries.
