The Ukrainian Army’s Strategic Communications Center confirmed via satellite images the destruction of the Russian missile ship Askold during an attack last weekend in Kerch, Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the event.

“I thank everyone who contributed to the destruction of the Russian ship at the Kerch shipyard,” on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Russia, Zelensky declared in his daily speech, published on social networks.

According to the Ukrainian Strategic Communications Center, the Askold suffered “significant damage” that could make repairs impossible.

“Confirmed! The Russian missile ship Askold,” an official Ukrainian note said, “suffered damage as a result of the attack on the naval and port infrastructure of the Zaliv plant, in temporarily occupied Crimea (by the Russians).”

The Zaliv shipyard is located on the eastern side of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014. Ukraine had so far focused its attacks on the western part of the peninsula, forcing Russia to withdraw its warships to the east.

The attack on Kerch represents a new qualitative leap in the Ukrainian offensive campaign in the Black Sea. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine reiterate that Crimea is Ukraine. And that the Russians will not have anywhere (on the peninsula) to hide,” the Kiev statement said.

Early Monday morning, it was reported that eight people were injured in the Odessa region as a result of Russian attacks in the area.

The city government released images of debris and broken glass at the Museum of Fine Arts hit by the attack.

Ukraine accused Russia on Monday of firing four missiles and launching attack drones from Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow.

Eight people were injured in the Odessa region, Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klimenko announced.

The attacks also hit about 20 buildings and infrastructure, the nature of which was not specified. (JO)