In the midst of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian defense ministry has accused Ukraine of using US-provided weapons in a recent strike on Crimea, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and injuries to 151 others. The ministry claimed that five US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles were used in the attack, with four being intercepted and the fifth causing casualties in a village in Sevastopol.
The Russian government has placed responsibility for the attack on Washington and the Kyiv regime, from where it was launched. Images and videos circulating online showed people fleeing from a beach near Sevastopol and injured individuals being carried away on sun loungers, although Sky News has not independently verified these visuals. The Russian defense ministry asserted that American specialists input flight missions for the ATACMS missiles based on US satellite intelligence data, implying that the US was actively involved in the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also blamed the US for the attack, accusing them of killing Russian children. He suggested questioning European and American government officials about their involvement in the incident. The Russian foreign ministry summoned US ambassador Lynne Tracy and accused Washington of engaging in a hybrid war against Russia, implying that they were actively participating in the conflict.
President Vladimir Putin has warned of the potential for a wider conflict involving major nuclear powers but has stated that Russia does not seek a confrontation with NATO. Neither Ukraine nor the US has offered statements regarding the Sevastopol attack. As tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine, there is concern about potential escalation of violence and its impact on global stability.