The Ukrainian military said it launched a missile attack on the headquarters of the Russian army in southeastern Verdyansk, occupied by Russian forces, early in the morning on the 21st (local time). Verdyansk is about 100 kilometers from the frontlines of the battle and is one of the main strongholds Ukrainian forces are trying to recapture in a massive counterattack.
Ukraine’s Military Strategic and Communications Ministry reported on Telegram that a powerful explosion had occurred in Russian-occupied Verdyansk early in the morning, according to Ukrainian independent media ‘The New Voice of Ukraine’ (NV).
In several photos posted with the report, gray smoke billowed over city buildings and red flames following the explosion were also captured. A satellite image showing where these photos were taken was also attached.
According to the Telegram of the Verdyansk region, a series of explosions occurred in the city at around 4 am that day, and fire and thick smoke were observed near the airfield.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense also said in a statement that “as a result of an overnight attack, our forces successfully struck the headquarters of one of the units of the occupation forces in Verdyansk” and that enemy losses were being confirmed. However, the weapons used by the military were not disclosed.
The Russian side also claimed that the Ukrainian forces used a “Storm Shadow” cruise missile to attack the country. The Storm Shadow is a long-range missile supplied by the UK to Ukraine and has a range of about 250 km. However, the country’s air defense system shot down six missiles, and a seventh missile landed in a canteen outside the city, but said there were no casualties.
Source: Donga
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