The Russian defense ministry released images and a video Tuesday suggesting Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, was alive—just one day after Ukraine claimed he was killed in a missile strike.
Ukraine claimed Monday they killed Russian commander Viktor Sokolov.
The images appear to show Sokolov participating in a video conference of military leaders chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, but only Sokolov’s head and torso appear in the video and he does not speak.
It’s unclear when the video was filmed but at one point Tuesday’s date is visible in the footage.
Russia did not make any comments addressing Ukraine’s claims that they killed Sokolov when they released the video and images.
After the footage was released, Ukrainian officials said they were “clarifying” whether Sokolov was killed.
Ukraine’s special operations forces announced Monday that Sokolov was among the 34 officers killed in a missile strike in Sevastopol on Friday. Another 105 soldiers were injured in the strike, officials told the Kyiv Independent. While both Ukraine and Russia confirmed the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters, located in occupied Crimea, was hit during the strike, death toll estimates differ. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, told Voice of America on Friday at least nine people were killed and 16 injured, some of whom are Russian generals.
Ukrainian special forces said they are seeking “clarifying information” following the Russian-posted video of Sokolov. Ukrainian special forces said on Telegram, “available sources claim that among the dead was the commander,” adding that “many still have not been identified due the disparity of body fragments.”
Russia Shows Alleged Footage Of Black Sea Fleet Commander Previously Reported Killed (Kyiv Independent)