Mystery as Russia releases ‘new footage’ of Black Sea fleet admiral to prove he is alive – a day after Ukraine claimed he had been killed in devastating strike on Crimea HQ
- Ukraine had claimed yesterday Admiral Viktor Sokolov was killed in the strike
The commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has allegedly been pictured alive today – a day after Ukraine announced he had been killed in a missile strike.
In footage released by the Russian defence ministry, Viktor Sokolov appears to be taking part in a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as well as other top admirals and army chiefs.
While Sokolov appeared to blink as he attended the session remotely, he was not seen speaking, and sat in a chair that looked different to other naval commanders.
The ‘appearance’ came after Vladimir Putin’s spokesman declined to comment on claims that Sokolov had been killed.
Ukraine claimed on Monday that Sokolov was one of 34 officers killed in a devastating missile strike on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet is Sevastopol.
In a picture released by the Russian defence ministry, Viktor Sokolov (circled) appears to be taking part in a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (main picture on video screen) as well as other top admirals and army chiefs
Ukraine claimed on Monday that Sokolov (pictured) was one of 34 officers killed in a devastating missile strike on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet is Sevastopol
Ukraine also claimed that 105 military personnel had been wounded in the strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters
READ MORE: Putin ‘was betrayed by his own disgruntled officers who handed intelligence to Kyiv’ for Storm Shadow strike that ‘killed 34’
The Russian footage today left open the possibility that old video of the commander had been superimposed on a meeting chaired by Russian defence minister Sergei Shogun.
There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian armed forces.
But Ukrainian telegram channel Crimea’s Wind reported the existence of the Russian footage and said it seemed Sokolov had ‘attended the board of the Ministry of [Defence’.’
It added: ‘It’s a pity of course.’
Ukraine also claimed that 105 military personnel had been wounded in the strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.
Putin-loyal Russian Telegram channels immediately claimed Ukraine had been caught lying.
The Russian footage today left open the possibility that old video of the commander had been superimposed on a meeting chaired by Russian defence minister Sergei Shogun
Sevastopol before (top) and after (bottom) a missile attack struck the HQ of Moscow’s Black Sea fleet on Friday in a suspected Ukrainian attack deep into Russian-held territory
‘We can say that the enemy’s statement [from] the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces that the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, died during the destruction of the Fleet headquarters building in Sevastopol is not true,’ said Grey Zone.
Military Informant channel said: ‘The commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, appeared at today’s meeting of the board of the Ministry of Defence.
‘Earlier, the Ukrainian media and intelligence claimed that Sokolov allegedly died as a result of a strike on the fleet headquarters in Sevastopol.
‘The point is that the command staff has not been in the headquarters building for a long time, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces is also well aware of.
‘So no commander….could have died there [nor dozens of officers].’
The reported breakthrough came as Kyiv said that senior Russian navy commanders had been among dozens killed or wounded in a missile attack on Moscow ‘s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea
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