MOSCOW: Russia declared on Sunday that the US was “directly responsible” for the five-missile strike that killed at least five people in Crimea, including three children, and injured 124 more. The attack was launched from Ukrainian territory.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Washington was directly in charge since US specialists had determined the missiles’ flight positions using data from US spy satellites.
Air defense systems fired down four of the US-delivered Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles with cluster warheads, while the ammo of a fifth missile exploded midair, the statement continued.
Four missiles were downed, according to the ministry, but a fifth reversed course after intercepting “with its warhead exploding in the air over the city.”
“Washington, which provided these weapons to Ukraine, and the Kyiv regime, whose territory this strike was carried out from, bear primary responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on the civilians of Sevastopol,” the ministry stated.
Just after midday, missile parts were reported to have fallen close to a beach on Sevastopol’s northern shore where residents were vacationing, according to Russian-installed authorities in Crimea.
According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, at least 124 people were hurt. Authorities claimed that five of the 27 youngsters who were hurt were very ill.
