Missile disaster over Sevastopol beach sparks international tension
At least five people were killed and over 140 injured after a missile explosion over a crowded beach near Sevastopol, according to Russian authorities. The Ukrainian army carried out the attack, and President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking the West for help. Meanwhile, Moscow promises retaliation.
3:18 PM EDT, June 24, 2024
We currently have 124 victims, including three dead children and two dead adults, said Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported in a Telegram post that Ukraine carried out the attack using "U.S.-supplied operational-tactical ATACMS missiles equipped with cluster warheads."
Russian air defense shot down four missiles, but another 'deviated from its flight path in the final section due to air defense impact, and the warhead exploded in the air over the city.' We will seek revenge, the post added.
Sevastopol, a Black Sea port city and naval base on the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, is regularly under Ukrainian fire.
In videos posted on social media, people can be seen fleeing the beach at the moment of the explosion.
Zelensky appeals to the West
According to Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, three Ukrainian assault drones struck Grayvoron near the Ukrainian border, and one hit a parking lot near a multi-story building.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on supporting countries on social media to help Ukraine carry out more attacks on Russian soil.
We have enough determination to destroy terrorists on their territory – it is only fair – and we need the same determination from our partners. We can stop Russia. Together with everyone in the world who values life, we will do it, Zelensky wrote.
