Thread by @michaelh992

Thread on #Russia's invasion of #Ukraine - March 20

🚩The #Russian Ministry of Defense just released another statement claiming to have used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile against a target in the Mykolaiv region.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it targeted a "large fuel storage base of the Ukrainian Armed Forces" near Konstantinovka, using Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea, and #Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fired from above Crimea

Again, there is very little military logic to the use of such missiles against a fuel depot (!), unless Russia is running out of other missiles. There is however, a logic in sending a message of deterrence to Ukraine's partners.

I personally think this is not a very effective tactic, & is just wasteful.

But it is clear to me that it's the main explanation behind the those strike - BTW the Russian MoD also reported a strike against a base hosting "foreign mercenaries" in Ovruch, which fits this message

🚩The Mariupol City Council reported that yesterday, Russian forces dropped bombs on a school where 400 residents were taking shelter. The building was destroyed, people are still buried under the rubble, and the number of victim is unknown.
t.me/mariupolrada/8…

The Ukrainian military claims to have killed the Deputy Commander of #Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st rank Andrei Paliy
facebook.com/UkrainianLandF…

The military is not giving more details on the alleged killing of the deputy commander of the Black Fleet. This was initially reported by a number of Ukrainian sources, stemming from a social media post by the head of a Russian company who knew him.
ua.news/ru/vijskovi-li…

(so I personally consider this as unconfirmed for now).

If this is confirmed, this is at least the 14th high-ranking officer to be killed (Lt Col. and above) in Ukraine (my count, so I may be missing some).