Russia blames US for Sevastopol attack that killed four and summons ambassador News
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Russia blames US for Sevastopol attack that killed four and summons ambassador

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed the US on Monday for a Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea that killed four and injured more than 150, saying in a statement they had “no doubt” of the US involvements. Russia also summoned the US ambassador to the country to discuss the issue.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine launched US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles equipped with cluster warheads over Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea. Russian local news reports that Russian air defense forces intercepted four missiles, but the fragmented warhead of the fifth missile detonated in the air above the city. Footage posted to X shows the cluster munitions striking beachgoers near Sevastopol, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including two children.

Speaking at the United Nations on Monday, Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the US of direct involvement in the incident. This comes after Germany and the US authorized Ukraine earlier in the month to target specific locations within Russia using long-range weaponry that they are providing.

The US has provided approximately $54 billion in military assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. Earlier this month, the US Department of Defense announced additional security assistance estimated at $225 million for urgent battlefield needs including air defense interceptors, artillery systems and munitions, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.

Nebenzia went on to say that “there will be measures in response.” Nebenzia condemned the lack of response from the UN Secretariat, calling the reaction an example of “double standards” that favor the West.

Russia passed unanimous legislation to officially annex Crimea in 2014 despite significant international criticism. The US and other Western allies have since recognized this as an unlawful seizure. These events come after the civilian death toll in Ukraine rose to the highest level in nearly a year amid the Russian ground offensive near the city of Kharkiv.

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