Ukraine has struck another major blow against Russian military power and Vladimir Putin's credibility.
Launching U.K.-provided Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russia's Sevastopol-based Black Sea fleet in Crimea, Ukrainian forces severely damaged the Minsk landing ship and Rostov-on-Don Kilo-class attack submarine. Both ships were undergoing refits. Unverified satellite imagery appears to show catastrophic damage to both vessels, possibly of such a nature that it will be more affordable for Russia to scuttle the vessels than attempt to repair them.
In turn, this attack underlines a continuing divergence between U.S. and U.K. military strategy in supporting Ukraine. As I've reported, the U.K. adopts greater risk tolerance in deciding what weapons systems to provide Ukraine and where to allow Ukraine to use those weapons. The U.K. military also adopts surveillance flights far closer to Crimea than does the U.S. military. It is unlikely, for example, that the U.S.
For Putin, however, this attack is a big problem. While Ukraine's counteroffensive does not yet threaten to achieve its objective of dissecting Crimea from Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine, Russian land forces face escalating and systemic difficulties. Russian civilians in Crimea are not immune to these challenges: Putin's Kerch Bridge link from Crimea to the Russian mainland is subject to frequent closures due to Ukrainian threats of attack.
Top line: With his prized Black Sea assets now on fire, Putin doesn't look like the confident leader that his leadership narrative depends upon.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine launches 'biggest attack' on Russian Black Sea Fleet in occupied Crimea, damaging 2 warships: reportUkrainian forces struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet in occupied Crimea with missiles and sea drones, damaging two war ships, the Ukrainian military announced Wednesday.
Read more »
Live blog: Ukraine claims to recapture Black Sea oil platforms near CrimeaRussia-Ukraine conflict continues on its 565th day.
Read more »
Ukraine says it has recaptured Black Sea oil platforms seized by Russia in 2015The recapture of the so-called Boyko Towers platforms provides an energy source and takes back an asset that Russia seized in 2015 and used to launch...
Read more »
Russian 'multiple missile' attack on Black Sea ship thwarted by Ukraine: UKA Liberian-flagged cargo ship was targeted by the Russian military on August 24, the U.K.'s Foreign Office said, citing new intelligence.
Read more »
Crimea bridge closed after naval drones target Russian Black Sea FleetThe Kerch Strait Bridge, a key supply route for Moscow's forces, has been plagued by closures in recent months.
Read more »
Russian warships hit in major attack on Black Sea baseTwo vessels were damaged and at least 24 people were injured in a Ukrainian missile attack on the main base of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, officials said.
Read more »