Commander of Russian Black Sea Fleet Killed in Ukraine's Attack on HQ, Kyiv Claims

LATEST: Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Reported Killed Is Alive, Russian Media Claims

The Ukrainian military reported that it killed Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet – as well as 34 officers – in a missile attack on his Sevastopol headquarters on Friday. 

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) made the announcement in a Telegram post on Monday, Sept. 25, in which it also reported extra details of a Ukrainian strike earlier this month which damaged the “Rostov-on-Don” submarine and the “Minsk” Large Landing Ship.

"After the defeat of the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, 34 officers, including the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, died.

"The headquarters building cannot be restored."

In April 2022, Sokolov, 61, had been handpicked by Putin after the loss of the Moskva flagship to Ukrainian missiles.

Writing of the earlier attack, the SSO said that Minsk large landing ship was scheduled to go on combat duty the following day, and personnel were on the ship. 

“Irreversible losses (on the ship, - ed.) amounted to 62 occupiers... Another 105 occupiers were injured,” the post says. 

Earlier, the Ukrainian military disclosed some details of the attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters, which was named “Crab Trap.” 

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The Special Operations Forces provided data for the attack to the Air Force. The Ukrainian military then targeted the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet during a leadership meeting. 

Ukrainian intelligence (HUR) had previously reported that because of Ukraine's attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters, at least 9 people were killed and another 16 were injured, including Russian generals. 

Among the wounded was the group's commander, Colonel-General Oleksandr Romanchuk, who was in very serious condition. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Oleg Tsekov was also unconscious. 

At that time, HUR did not confirm information about Sokolov’s death.

Elsewhere, it has been revealed that Moscow’s inability to pay salaries on time to its naval servicemen also played a key role in last week’s devastating missile strike on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, according to Ukrainian partisans who helped plan the attack.

Speaking exclusively to Kyiv Post, the partisan movement of Ukrainians and Tatars in Crimea (ATESH) said it obtained key information about the location and activities of high-ranking Russian commanders from cash-strapped officers in exchange for financial rewards.

“Delays in payments alone do not force the military armed forces of the Russian Federation to go against the Russian authorities,” a spokesperson for the group said, adding that those who help them also believe their country is “waging a criminal war and that it needs to stop.”

“But the financial reward only helps them to decide on cooperation with the ATESH movement, it serves as an additional incentive,” the spokesman said.

ATESH did not say how much money changed hands but did say it was enough to cover the risks for the officers and their families.

You can read the full report here.