"Missile strike on Sevastopol" Topic

Some very good posts … But once again I have to wonder … is the Russian military really that incompetent ? So far that answer a definite Yes …

Apparently the recent losses of air defense systems in Crimea have significantly affected the ability of the Russian military to intercept incoming long-range missiles there. So unless the Russian military brings in new systems from somewhere else, Crimean targets will remain vulnerable to further such strikes. And if new missile defense systems will be brought in, Ukrainian military will probably try to target them.

Besides the Black Sea fleet assets, there are also military airbases in Crimea that could make juicy targets for missile strikes.

On the other hand, Ukraine has limited supply of long range missiles, so they need to prioritise targets. According to the most recent news, US might supply some ATACMS systems in near future, but only in limited numbers.

Griefbringer – just seen the footage of the twin impacts at the BSF HQ. You would not want to be in the office that day! Definitely not a case of 'minor damage'

Ukrainian intelligence claims that at the time of the HQ missile strike there was a meeting taking place in the building, and that several high ranking officers were amongst those killed or injured. However, these claims have not been confirmed from other sources.

Regardless of what kind of casualties took place, I presume that the top brass will think twice about holding further meetings in that location. Or what is left of it – if there was a Storm Shadow missile exploding inside the building, the damage might be significant.

Black Sea fleet leadership might want to keep their locations more secret, or even move away from Crimea and the reach of the missiles. Just hiding in bunkers won't necessarily be enough, as Storm Shadows are designed with bunker-busting capabilities in mind.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military is probably itching to drop a few more missile to Crimea now that they have got the initiative. Local civilians might do wisely to stay clear of any military targets.

US might supply some ATACMS systems in near future, but only in limited numbers.

Had heard the same. But yes, in small numbers. Like everything else those in the US gov't fear Putin and escalation. And Putin knows it.

Fear of Putin launching tac nukes, which is not going to happen. Adds to the continued US foot dragging. These long range ATACMS should have been there months ago. As well as all the other weapon systems they need, e.g. CE Mine Clearing equipment, F-16s, more MBTs(M1s), etc., etc.

Once again weakness, incompetent, feckless, elected & appointed gov't officials making very poor decisions. They are hoping for a brokered peace. With Putin still holding the Donbas, land bridge to the Crimea and Crimea. That will only reward bad behavior. Putin will claim victory. And Xi, Iran, Un, islamic terrorists, etc. are watching. And will see more US weakness, etc.

Those lethal items etc. are what the Ukraine needs to push the Russian invaders/war criminals off the lands. That will end the war. Again, the people in the US Gov't just don't get it.

They need to be reminded that hope[for a brokered peace] is not a tactic or solution.

The longer the war lasts … the more death & destruction will occur.

the Ukrainian military is probably itching to drop a few more missile to Crimea now that they have got the initiative.

Regardless of what kind of casualties took place, I presume that the top brass will think twice about holding further meetings in that location. Or what is left of it – if there was a Storm Shadow missile exploding inside the building, the damage might be significant.

Hopefully, it will make it more difficult to target their naval-launched missiles.

Ukraine now claims that the Minsk was due to return to service, and had crew onboard when it was hit. They say 62 crew members killed.

Ukrainian Pravda: link

Ukraine also claims the crew of the submarine also lived on board when hit. If so a considerable number of crew members must have been casualties.

Russian Navy Commander Reported Killed in Ukrainian Missile Strike Appears in Video

Moscow Times: link

From Military.com

34 KIA'd by missile strike including Fleet Cdr. in Crimea …

link

Ukraine also claims the crew of the submarine also lived on board when hit.

It sounds rather strange that a submarine crew would be living inside a craft that is undergoing repairs in drydocks. Or at any time when the submarine is in docks for any significant period of time. Submarines being rather cramped, the crew very likely prefers being lodged in barracks on dry land whenever the choice is available.

That said, part of the crew may have been involved in the maintenance work in the drydocks.

@Griefbringer.

I agree, but this is Russia. They could not care less about the crew or their comfort.

All good points Legion and Soledad. I guess the most important thing is the sub won't be attacking civilian targets again any time soon.

They could not care less about the crew or their comfort.

Regardless of concerns for crew comfort, I would presume that the constant presence of crew inside the submarine would cause unnecessary difficulties for the maintenance work.

The mighty Black Sea fleet seems to be looking for alternative bases, in case Sevastopol is no longer an option. The leader of the separatist Georgian region of Abkhazia has claimed that Russia will build a naval base there:

link

This would be located in the eastern part of the Black Sea, further away from Ukraine than the current naval bases.

"Brave, brave Black Sea fleet,
they bravely fled, they bravely ran…"

On other news, satellite imagery apparently suggests that there are not many Black Sea fleet vessels left in Sevastopol.