Russia Summons US Ambassador Over Missile Attack in Crimea

Moscow, June 24, 2024 — The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to protest against what it claims was the use of US-made ATACMS missiles in a recent Ukrainian attack on Crimea. According to Russian authorities, the strikes, which included cluster munitions, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two children, and injured over 150 people in the port city of Sevastopol.

The Foreign Ministry accused the United States of effectively becoming a party to the conflict by providing these advanced weapons and facilitating the targeting, stating that “retaliatory measures will certainly follow.” No immediate comments were made by US or Ukrainian officials. The Associated Press could not independently verify these claims.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 in a move widely rejected as unlawful, has been considered a legitimate target by Ukraine and its Western allies since the outbreak of the war three years ago. Kyiv’s forces have relied heavily on Western-supplied weaponry, despite some hesitations among Western nations over concerns of escalating the conflict.

In a related move, the European Union announced new sanctions against Russia, targeting its “shadow fleet” used for moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sanction circumvention. These measures include bans on reloading services and investments in Russian LNG projects, as well as asset freezes for 61 entities and several individuals.

Dagestan Mourns After Deadly Militant Attacks

Dagestan, June 24, 2024 — The region of Dagestan in southern Russia has commenced a three-day mourning period following coordinated attacks by Islamic militants that resulted in 19 fatalities and numerous injuries. The assaults occurred on Sunday in Makhachkala and Derbent and were described by local authorities as the worst since March.

The attack targeted police officers, civilians, and religious sites, including the murder of Rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov and the setting ablaze of a synagogue in Derbent. Officials attribute the violence to Islamic extremist groups with international links. Russia’s Investigative Committee has announced the elimination of all five attackers.

President Vladimir Putin and Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov condemned the attacks, emphasizing that they were intended to spread fear and instability in the region, which has a history of Islamist militant activity.

The coordinated assaults have reignited discussions about Russia’s counterterrorism capabilities and the persisting extremist presence despite years of intensified security measures.