Putin’s main Black Sea shipyard up in flames as Ukraine and Russia exchange air strikes
Russia’s main shipyard in Crimea has been struck in a major attack involving 10 cruise missiles, according to Russian officials, with videos overnight appearing to show large explosions at a port in Sevastopol. It comes as Ukraine said it shot down 32 drones out of 44 fired by Russia overnight, with Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odesa described as being the main target. The two sides exchanged heavy air strikes just a couple of hours before Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un sat down in Russia’s far east for weapons and trade talks. Follow our Ukraine live blog here The attack on Sevastopol targeted the main facility where Russia builds and repairs ships for its Black Sea Fleet, which has been involved in blockading grain exports from Ukraine. Of a total 10 cruise missiles fired around 3am, seven were downed by Russia’s air defence systems, the country’s defence ministry said. The Russian defence ministry said at least three high-speed boats also targeted the Crimean facility but were destroyed. “As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged,” the ministry said. The Russia-backed governor of Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhaev, shared a photo from the port as a vessel behind him appeared damaged and an active fire continued to blaze in the background. He said at least 24 people were injured in the strike but did not say if any deaths took place. Videos purporting to show the strike showed three explosions in quick succession in Sevastopol. Russia-backed authorities made the rare confirmation of the successful Ukrainian attacks shortly after local residents in the region posted photos and videos of the shipyard region covered in thick fire. Locals also shared videos of thunderous explosions heard miles away captured on CCTV cameras. The Independent has not verified the authenticity of the videos. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv. Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia’s military infrastructure helps Kyiv’s counteroffensive. Another drone was shot down in Russia’s Tver region, northwest of Moscow, where no casualties were reported, regional authorities said. The Crimean peninsula, illegally annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014, has been targeted repeatedly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year. The Sevastopol shipyard attack appeared to be one of the biggest in recent weeks. The shipyard is of strategic importance to Russia as vessels in its Black Sea Fleet are repaired there. Read More BP boss Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Putin and Kim shake hands for 40 seconds as weapons talks begin – live Higher gas prices likely pushed up inflation in August, though other costs probably slowed
2023-09-13 14:57
Russia's VTB to launch cross-border money transfers to India
MOSCOW Russia's VTB Bank said on Wednesday that it will launch money transfers in Indian rupees by the
2023-09-13 14:25
Massive Hurricane Lee puts Bermuda under tropical storm warning, southeast US beaches at risk of rip currents
Hurricane Lee has prompted a tropical storm warning over Bermuda and is expected to weaken over the next couple of days, though the system could remain "large and dangerous" through the week, forecasters said.
2023-09-13 14:21
Higher investment means Hyundai could get $2.1 billion in aid to make electric cars in Georgia
Georgia will give Hyundai Motor Group a projected $2.1 billion in tax breaks and other incentives to build electric cars and batteries in the state
2023-09-13 13:57
Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin and Kim shake hands for 40 seconds as weapons talks begin
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived at Russia’s far east spaceport where he will hold weapons talks with Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin arrived a short while earlier for the summit at the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russia’s prominent rocket launch site. And, massive explosions rocked Russia’s Black Sea Fleet shipyard in Crimea’s Sevastopol this morning after an apparent Ukrainian missile strike hit the facility. The attack on the major naval city took place around 3am and according to a local Russian-installed official injured 24 people. Videos purporting to show the strike showed three explosions in quick succession in Sevastopol. Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev blamed the attack on “the enemy”, commonly used to refer to Ukraine by the Kremlin and its officials particularly for attacks on its territories or Russia-controlled territory. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack but it says striking Crimean infrastructure helps its counteroffensive against Russia. Read More North Korea fires two missiles into the sea as Kim Jong Un travels in Russia for meeting with Putin Live lobsters, cases of wine and bulletproof carriages: Inside Kim Jong-un’s train to meet Putin ‘My body was burning’: Russian journalist’s horror journey in grips of suspected poisoning Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help
2023-09-13 13:27
Samuel Newey: Counselling plan in name of volunteer killed in Ukraine
Samuel Newey's family say volunteers fighting overseas should be offered support when they return.
2023-09-13 13:19
Reward for fugitive homicide suspect who fled a DC hospital has increased to $30,000 as week-long manhunt continues
Investigators in Washington, DC, are offering $30,000 for information leading to the capture of homicide suspect Christopher Haynes, whose escape from police custody while being treated at a hospital has sparked a sprawling week-long manhunt.
2023-09-13 13:18
Taylor Swift continues to dominate with second consecutive video of the year win at MTV VMAs
Taylor Swift made the whole place shimmer at the MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday night, when she won the award for video of the year for the second time in a row.
2023-09-13 12:57
China insurance boss sentenced in finance crackdown
Ex-China Life Insurance boss Wang Bin is the latest high-profile boss to be caught up in the crackdown.
2023-09-13 12:57
Taylor Swift, Shakira shine at MTV Video Music Awards
Taylor Swift cleaned up at Tuesday's MTV Video Music Awards, as Shakira accepted the night's prestigious Video Vanguard prize with...
2023-09-13 12:54
Ukraine war: Overnight air attacks reported on Sevastopol and Izmail
Air strikes are reported on Russian-occupied Sevastopol and Ukraine's Danube port of Izmail.
2023-09-13 12:48
US holiday sales set for slowest year since 2018 as consumers turn frugal - report
By Deborah Mary Sophia and Siddharth Cavale Holiday sales in the United States are estimated to grow at
2023-09-13 12:18
