In a missile attack that destroyed Russian naval headquarters in Crimea last week, the Ukrainian military claimed at least 34 officers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, including its commander, were killed in a missile attack on the fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol. Russian media have published a video that they claim shows the Russian commander and that he is alive and well.

The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces announced on Telegram that 105 people were wounded in the attack on the main headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to claims of the death of Admiral Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet and one of the most senior officers in the Russian Navy.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the alleged killing of Russian Black Sea Fleet Admiral Viktor Sokolov. "There is no information from the Ministry of Defense." It is completely within their competence and we have nothing to say here," Peskov told reporters.

The commander-in-chief of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, whom official Kiev claims is dead, is alive and well, Russian media reports. A video appeared on the media, which Russian media claim shows Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

Admiral Viktor Sokolov appeared in footage of a board meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense, reportedly on September 26, 2023. pic.twitter.com/01ennBvekE

— KIU • Russian Officers killed in Ukraine 🇨🇿🇺🇦 (@KilledInUkraine) September 26, 2023