- Kremlin spokesman called the attack “barbaric”
- It comes after the United States supplied long-range ATACM missiles to Ukraine.
The Kremlin accused the United States of “killing Russian children” following a Ukrainian attack on occupied Crimea with long-range ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington.
Moscow summoned the U.S. ambassador to issue a formal warning, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a scathing public comment blaming the United States and calling the attack “barbaric.”
‘They should ask my colleagues in Europe, and especially in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children. Just ask them this question,” Peskov told reporters.
At least four people, including two children, died in the attack in Sevastopol. Russia blamed the United States and said 150 people were injured. Video shows terrified beachgoers fleeing falling shrapnel after Russian air defense intercepted the missiles.
Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine has launched a series of drone attacks against Russian naval assets and the Black Sea port since the 2022 Russian invasion.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the attack in Crimea “barbaric.” In response, Moscow summoned the US ambassador. The United States began providing long-range ATAMC to Ukraine earlier this year.
The ATACMs, long sought by kyiv, provide greater range than missiles previously supplied by the US.
The United States began supplying ATACM to Ukraine earlier this year after intense pressure from kyiv.
Weeks ago, the United States changed its policy to allow the use of weapons inside Russian territory along the border regions with Ukraine.
Spray flies through the air as debris from the downed missile lands on the coast of Sevastopol.
Injured tourists are treated by passers-by on a beach in Sevastopol after Sunday’s incident.
The incident occurred on the same day that Russian bombs destroyed a residential block in Kharkiv, killing at least one person and wounding 10 on Sunday.
This came amid relentless Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, after Moscow experienced battlefield gains.
Ukrainian commanders have asked for permission to use the weapons to attack where Russia builds up troops and stores aircraft and ammunition for its attacks on its territory.
Long range ATACMs were including in a March military aid package, although restrictions still prevent its use deep into Russian territory. They have a range of 300 kilometers (about 190 miles).
Russia’s war against Ukraine and the defense of Ukraine by the United States and its NATO allies have created deep tensions between the United States and Russia, both nuclear powers.
After the attack on Sevastopol, Russia accused the United States of “waging a hybrid war against Russia and has in fact become a party to the conflict.” Russia threatened in comments to Ambassador Lynne Tracy that the attack “would not go unpunished.” Retaliatory measures will definitely follow.”