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The UK's defence secretary has expressed satisfaction with reports that Ukraine has successfully destroyed a Russian naval ship in the Black Sea, asserting that the airstrike disproves critics of the country.

The attack, confirmed by both Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday morning, specifically targeted a vessel known as the landing ship Novocherkask in Feodosia, located in Russian-occupied Crimea. Reacting to these developments, Grant Shapps stated that Russia's dominance in the Black Sea is now being challenged.

He remarked, "This recent destruction of Putin's navy demonstrates that those who believe there's a stalemate in the Ukraine war are mistaken. They haven't noticed that over the past four months, 20% of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been destroyed."

Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of Ukraine's air force, confirmed the destruction of the warship and expressed gratitude on the Telegram messaging app, stating, "And the fleet in Russia is getting smaller and smaller! Thanks to the Air Force pilots and everyone involved for the meticulous work!"

Russia's defence ministry acknowledged the ship's damage and claimed that two Ukrainian jets had been shot down, a claim denied by Ukraine.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, reported one fatality and two injuries resulting from the airstrike. Footage posted on several Russian news outlets depicted powerful explosions and fires in the area with a population of approximately 69,000 people. Mr Aksyonov mentioned that all relevant emergency services were on-site, and residents of several houses would be evacuated. The fires were promptly extinguished. Trains from the port town were diverted, and street traffic was partially blocked as a result of the strike, according to the Russia-installed administration of Crimea.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move widely condemned. The area is strategically important on the Black Sea. Throughout the 22-month conflict, both Russia and Ukraine have frequently exaggerated the gains and losses they claim to have inflicted upon each other.

तूफान गेरिट: यूके में मजबूत हवाओं और भारी बारिश से सावधान रहें।