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Ukraine launches strikes on Crimea, claims it hit two Russian warships

Ukraine launches strikes on Crimea, claims it hit two Russian warships

Ukraine launches strikes on Crimea, hits two Russian warships

Ukraine early on Sunday (Mar 24) launched attacks on the annexed Crimean peninsula and said that it "successfully hit" two Russian large landing ships along with a communications centre and several infrastructure facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The Ukrainian military in its statement did not specify the medium it chose to hit the targets, however, a Moscow-installed official in the region reported a major Ukrainian air attack and stated that the air defences had downed more than 10 missiles over the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

"The defence forces of Ukraine successfully hit the Azov and Yamal large landing ships, a communications centre and also several infrastructure facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in temporarily occupied Crimea," Ukraine's military said.

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Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, on the Telegram messaging application stated that transport infrastructure including the passenger boats was partially damaged, according to news agency Reuters reports.

"Of the six boats, five had their windows broken ... During the day, the windows of the damaged boats will be replaced and as they are restored they will be brought back online," he said.

Razvozhayev further stated that during the overnight attacks, several vehicles were damaged which included three passenger buses, 13 school buses and one trolley bus.

Russia launches aerial assault on Ukraine

Russia on Sunday (Mar 24) launched an aerial assault on Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the western region of Lviv, reported news agency AFP citing officials.

"Explosions in the capital. Air defence is working. Do not leave shelters," Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram. Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said Stryi district, south of the city of Lviv, was also under attack.

The assault comes as Russia mourns the tragic terrorist attack on the Moscow concert hall and blames Ukraine for it.

Ukraine's air defence forces destroyed about a dozen Russia-launched missiles, said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, on Telegram. Preliminary information showed no casualties or major damage as a result of the attacks, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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.