Tensions continue to escalate in Eastern Europe as Ukraine reportedly launched a missile strike on a shipyard in the city of Kerch, located in the disputed territory of Crimea. The strike, which was reported by Russian news agencies citing the Russian defence ministry, allegedly involved 15 cruise missiles, damaging one ship. The Russian defence ministry stated that their air defence systems managed to destroy 13 of the Ukraine-launched missiles.
In a separate incident, Russia has successfully test-launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine. The missile, named 'Bulava', is the first to be launched in over a year. This comes amidst increasing nuclear rhetoric from Russia following its withdrawal from a key nuclear test ban treaty. The Bulava missile, which is 12 meters long, is designed to be the backbone of Moscow's nuclear triad and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed concern that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is diverting international attention from the conflict with Russia. The shift in humanitarian, diplomatic, and media focus to the Middle East has led to skepticism about long-term funding for Ukraine's war effort. Despite this, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has pledged the EU's support for Ukraine.
The Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, has been a frequent target since Russia's invasion of Ukraine 20 months ago. Ukraine has targeted naval facilities in Crimea, with a missile strike in September damaging two Russian ships and wounding 24 people. Ukraine's Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, confirmed that Ukrainian forces have sunk one of the 'most advanced ships' of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a Kalibr cruise missile carrier. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported successful strikes on the maritime and port infrastructure of Zalyv Shipyard in Kerch.