British Storm Shadow missiles destroy Russian ‘base’ that Vladimir Putin had visited as Ukrainian forces step up pace of offensive
- British missiles have been used in Ukraine to destroy a suspected Russian base
- At least two Storm Shadow missiles hit a ‘recreation centre’ used by Putin’s army
British missiles were deployed by Ukraine to destroy a suspected Russian military base visited by Vladimir Putin in April.
At least two Storm Shadow missiles hit a ‘recreation centre’ used by his military machine as an HQ close to Henichesk in occupied Kherson region, according to Ukrainian forces.
A third may have been shot down by Russian air defences.
Ambulances were reportedly at the scene, with Russian reports admitting to one woman killed in the strike.
Footage showed a building ablaze near Henichesk, close to the Arabat Spit, a long, thin strip of land linking occupied Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula.
At least two Storm Shadow missiles hit a ‘recreation centre’ used by his military machine as an HQ close to Henichesk in occupied Kherson region
The base reportedly had a surprise visit from Vladimir Putin in April, as he met with military commanders
Britain recently sent a shipment of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, enabling Kyiv’s forces to strike deeper into Russian-held territory
One report citing locals said after the strikes: ‘Everything is closed now, there are many ambulances and fire appliances.’
READ MORE: PUTIN’S TROOPS UNDER ATTACK AFTER BRITISH LEND STORM MISSILES TO UKRAINE WAR EFFORT
Putin supposedly made a surprise visit to meet his military commanders here in April.
Yet this trip triggered strong suspicions that he had used a body double to stand in for him, since he did not dare travel the war zone himself amid paranoia over assassination or a missile strike.
Until recently receiving UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, Ukraine did not have long-range precision missiles.
Russia had chosen Henichesk as a makeshift capital of occupied Kherson region because at the time it was out of range of Ukrainian missiles – but no longer.
A report today said that Russian national guards were stationed here.
The Putin-appointed governor of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo said today that the strike was ‘another confirmation of the barbarism and inhumanity of the London-controlled Kyiv regime’.
The ‘wreckage of a Storm Shadow missile aimed at children’s recreation camp Dnepryany’ was found, he said.
‘One missile was shot down, but two were able to reach their target.
‘As a result, one person was killed and another was injured.’
While he claimed the attack was on a ‘children’s camp’, this was a base for ‘servicemen of the Russian Guard’, said Ukrainska Pravda.
Russia had chosen Henichesk as a makeshift capital of occupied Kherson region because at the time it was out of range of Ukrainian missiles – but no longer
Smoke could be seen billowing out of the destroyed military base for many miles
The Putin-appointed governor of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo said today that the strike was ‘another confirmation of the barbarism and inhumanity of the London-controlled Kyiv regime’
The building was left in a ruinous state after the blaze was extinguished
He claimed ‘pinpoint strikes are carried out by British missiles delivered to the Kyiv regime for ‘peace’ on civilian infrastructure.
READ MORE: What are Storm Shadow missiles capable of? How many are Britain sending to Ukraine? How much do they cost?
‘They persecute the top officials of the Kherson region and terrorise the population, but we do not give up.’
Saldo also claimed missiles had struck a centre for flooding evacuees after this week’s Kakhovka dam explosion.
Separately a major explosion and fire hit a fuel and lubricants depot at the railway station in Russian city Ufa.
The cause was not disclosed but an investigation was underway into possible sabotage.
One man sustained serious burns.
A special fire train was sent to deal with the inferno which covered 5,380 square feet amid warnings of further explosions.
Separately, footage of a Ukrainian Su-24 bomber is said to show the warplane carrying Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
Russia has expressed fury that the UK supplied the long-range missiles which have been used to strike targets in annexed Ukraine, for example on the Sea of Azov in Berdiansk.
The missiles with a range of around 155 miles have also hit the blitzed city of Mariupol, also now in Russian hands.
And previous strikes on Luhansk were reported as Storm Shadow missiles.
It comes as Ukraine launches a counter offensive in several areas in the east and south of the country.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘In some areas, Ukrainian forces have likely made good progress and penetrated the first line of Russian defences. In others, Ukrainian progress has been slower.
‘Russian performance has been mixed, some unites are likely conducting credible manoeuvre defence operations while others have pulled back in some disorder, amid increased reports of Russian casualties as they withdraw through their own minefields.
‘The Russian Airforce has been unusually active over southern Ukraine, where the airspace is more permissive for Russia than in other parts of the country. However, it remains unclear whether tactical airstrikes have been effective.’
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