Ukraine Strikes Crimean Targets, Two Dead
In a bold move, Ukraine launched missile strikes on two targets in Crimea late Thursday, resulting in two fatalities near Simferopol, the peninsula’s main administrative hub. The attack also hit a building in Alushta, along Crimea’s picturesque Black Sea coast.
While Moscow claimed the targeted facility was vacant, the Ukrainian resistance group in Crimea, known as Atesh, reported numerous casualties from the assault.
This escalation comes as Russia conducts military drills in its Southern Military District, which encompasses the annexed territory of Crimea.
The ongoing exercise includes the use of tactical nuclear weapons, such as air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions.
Although tactical nuclear weapons are less potent than their strategic counterparts, they can still be deployed on the battlefield, potentially endangering nearby friendly forces.
Notably, Russia frequently conducts drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, but this marks the first time the Kremlin has publicly announced such an exercise.
The missile strikes coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s hint at the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s pledge to provide Kyiv’s forces with British long-range weapons for targeting Russian sites.
These remarks drew sharp criticism from the Kremlin, further heightening tensions between Russia and NATO. — Euronews
