Russian warship damaged in Ukraine sea drone attack on navy base Novorossiysk
NBCAug 02, 2023
The Facts
A Ukrainian drone attack in the Black Sea damaged a Russian tanker in the Kerch Strait south of the Crimean Bridge, Russian officials claimed on Saturday.
Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraine's Security Service, said that "such special operations are conducted in the territorial waters of Ukraine and are completely legal," adding any such explosions are "an absolutely logical and effective step with regard to the enemy."
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
The sea drone attacks are not only logical and legal but necessary to offset Russia's aggression. Either the targets in Crimea will reduce Russia's fighting capacity or enable future offensives that can bring this awful war to a conclusion.
Pro-Russia narrative
The US shouldn't back Ukrainian strikes against Crimea as it will entail immediate retaliatory strikes. Russian warships will continue to repel and destroy Ukraine's sea drones as they are nothing short of terrorist attacks, as the peninsula is legally part of the Russian Federation.
