DISINFO: Ukraine's attack on Russian warships in Sevastopol is a terrorist attack
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian Armed Forces' missile attack on Sevastopol is a terrorist attack. This is sabotage and terrorism. [Russia] understands perfectly well that it is fighting terrorists. In this regard, its victory must be unconditional and final. All those involved in this crime must be punished accordingly.
RESPONSE
The claim advances a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine, by attacking Russian military bases in the occupied Crimea, does not violate any norms of international law. According to the UN Charter, on its sovereign territory, Ukraine has the right of self-defence against Russian aggression.
Ukraine's international allies have repeatedly stressed that Ukraine has the right to carry out any military operations aimed at de-occupying its territories.
On September 13, a missile attack hit a military shipyard in temporarily occupied Sevastopol, Crimea. The Ukrainian Air Force took responsibility for the attack on Russian warships. The Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk thanked the Ukrainian pilots for their combat work in Sevastopol.
A representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov noted that Ukraine attacked Russian large landing ship Minsk and the Rostov-on-Don diesel-electric submarine. These ships were used by Russia in the war against Ukraine and for missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure.
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