In a significant development, Ukraine's military has declared that it successfully attacked and destroyed a Russian submarine, the Rostov-on-Don, while it was anchored at a port in the occupied Crimean peninsula. The submarine, a kilo-class attack vessel launched in 2014, reportedly sank after it was struck in a missile attack on the port city of Sevastopol on Friday, according to a statement by Ukraine's general staff. The attack also resulted in the destruction of four S-400 air defense systems protecting the illegally annexed Russian-held territory.

The Rostov-on-Don was one of four submarines operated by Russia's Black Sea fleet capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles. Intelligence officials in the UK had noted last September that the submarine "likely suffered catastrophic damage" in a missile strike while undergoing maintenance at a Sevastopol shipyard. However, Russia allegedly repaired the vessel, and it was recently undergoing testing of its capabilities near Sevastopol.

The Ukrainian military estimates the value of the Rostov-on-Don to be around $300 million (£233 million). The attack on the submarine underscores Ukraine's determination to prevent Russian naval forces from feeling secure in the Black Sea waters under their territorial jurisdiction, as stated by Ukraine's general staff.

This incident adds to a series of attacks on Russian naval forces in Sevastopol in recent months. In March alone, Ukraine claimed to have targeted and hit two landing ships and a patrol vessel in the port city. Ever since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has suffered numerous naval setbacks, with Ukraine claiming to have seriously damaged or sunk at least 15 warships, including the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Moskva.

Additionally, Ukraine's military recently reported that Russia had been forced to withdraw all of its naval assets from the Sea of Azov due to repeated strikes on its vessels. Furthermore, Russia's FSB (Federal Security Service) claimed to have foiled a Ukrainian plot to destroy its last remaining aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones have reportedly targeted a major airfield and oil depots in Russia.

The Morozovsk airfield, known for storing guided bombs that have caused devastation in Ukrainian cities, was the primary target of the drone attack. Footage circulating online showed powerful explosions and massive fires resulting from hits on fuel or ammunition depots. While Russia states that many of the drones were shot down, local authorities have declared a state of emergency in the vicinity of the air base. Oil storage facilities in the regions of Rostov, Kursk, and Belgorod were also targeted.

These attacks come in response to Russia's launch of over 600 guided air bombs towards Ukraine within a week, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of preventing Russian aircraft from launching such munitions and justified the attack on Russian airfields as a fair action.

Ukraine's allies had previously been hesitant to allow the country to strike within Russia using Western weapons. However, recent permission granted by the United States has enabled Ukraine to attack some targets along the border. Additionally, the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, long promised by NATO allies, further bolsters Ukraine's air defense plans and could help counter Russian advancements on the frontlines.

As tensions continue to escalate, seven individuals have now been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business. The situation remains fluid, and the international community closely monitors the developments in this ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.