Moscow, Russia

Russia has accused the United States of being responsible for a deadly Ukrainian attack on the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula. The attack, which used five US-supplied missiles, resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including three children, and left 124 others injured.

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The Russian Defence Ministry stated that four of the Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, armed with cluster warheads, were intercepted by air defence systems, while the fifth missile exploded in the air. 

According to the ministry, the US had provided the missile coordinates based on intelligence from American spy satellites, thereby holding Washington directly accountable.

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"Responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on the civilians of Sevastopol is borne above all by Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and by the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this strike was carried out," the ministry wrote on Telegram.

The attack occurred near a beach in Sevastopol, where locals were enjoying their holidays. 

The Russian authorities in Crimea reported that missile fragments fell close to the beach, resulting in killings and injuries. 

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Russia has vowed to respond to the attack, with President Vladimir Putin maintaining close communication with the military since the attack. "Such actions will not be left without a response," the ministry warned.

The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 has been a point of contention, with Russia considering the peninsula as part of its territory, contrary to many countries' stand that recognises it as Ukrainian land. 

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Putin has continuously accused the US of leveraging Ukraine to threaten Russian security, a claim refuted by Kyiv and its Western allies. The attack on Crimea is pointing at the deepening rift between Russia and Ukraine, with the potential for heightened hostilities on the horizon. 

Killings in Kharkiv 

This development also comes at a time when the Russian side on Sunday (June 23) targeted a residential house and a children's educational facility in Kharkiv, resulting in the death of one person and injuring ten others, including two teenagers, reports said quoting regional governor Oleg Synegubov.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)