Ukraine eliminated Black Sea Fleet Commander with Storm Shadow / SCALP EG missiles - Russia has lost a fleet commander for the first time since the Russian-Japanese War in 1904

Last week, the Ukrainian Defence Forces struck the headquarters of the Russian Federation's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. Dozens of officers were in the building. As it turned out, Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, was eliminated as a result of the strike.

Here's What We Know

Vice-Admiral Stepan Makarov for almost 100 years remained the last Russian fleet commander who died during the war, and not in peacetime. This happened in 1904. During the Russo-Japanese War, the vice-admiral was on board the battleship "Petropavlovsk", which exploded on a mine.

Stepan Makarov held the post of fleet commander for a little over a month. Viktor Sokolov lasted several times longer. He was appointed Commander of the Black Sea Fleet in the autumn of 2022.

Last week, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry announced the elimination of several Russian generals. The strike was made during a meeting. At that time there was no information about the state of health of Viktor Sokolov.

Today the Command of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine confirmed the liquidation of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. A total of 34 Russian officers were killed. Another 105 occupants were wounded. The headquarters building cannot be restored.

According to photos and video, it can be established that the strike was carried out by Storm Shadow or SCALP EG cruise missiles. Sky News writes about the use of British Storm Shadow. Ukraine does not officially confirm or deny this information.

Source: Defence Express, @usofcom