Ukraine’s military says it has destroyed two large Russian warships in the Black Sea along with other facilities used by Moscow’s navy on the annexed Crimean peninsula.

“The defence forces have successfully hit the Yamal and Azov landing ships, a communications centre and several infrastructure facilities belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” a Ukrainian military spokesman said.

A Russian-installed regional official confirmed a major Ukrainian air attack had taken place and said more than 10 missiles were shot down over the Black Sea port of Sevastopol.

Storm Shadow missiles were reportedly used in the attack, which the UK has supplied to Kyiv since May 2023.

The Anglo-French-developed missiles have a range of over 155 miles and can fly low under radar coverage, enabling Ukraine to hit Russian targets far behind the front lines.

Open-source intelligence analysts shared geolocated footage showing a large fireball erupting from what is reportedly a major Russian naval communications centre in Sevastopol. The site is said to be the former headquarters of the Ukrainian Black Sea fleet, which was captured by Russian forces when the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014.

The strike came as Russia launched its third “massive” air attack on Ukraine in four days with 57 missile and drone attacks reported in Kyiv and the western city of Lviv.

The majority were intercepted as the Ukrainian air force reported that it destroyed 18 out of 29 missiles and 25 out of 28 attack drones.

Witnesses in Kyiv heard several blasts and saw some air weapons being shot down.

According to Sergiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, there were no reports of casualties.

“The enemy continues massive missile terror against Ukraine,” Mr Popko said.