FILE PHOTO: Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov salutes during a send-off ceremony for reservists drafted during partial mobilisation, in Sevastopol, Crimea September 27, 2022.  REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak/File Photo
Russia

Russia counters Ukrainian claims, shows fleet commander alive

Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, was pictured attending a video conference on Tuesday, a day after Ukrainian special forces said they had killed him.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet and one of Russia's most senior navy officers, was pictured attending a video conference on Tuesday, a day after Ukrainian special forces said they had killed him.

In a photograph released by the Russian defence ministry, Sokolov was shown apparently taking part in a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and other top admirals and army chiefs.

Ukraine's special forces said on Monday they had killed Sokolov, Moscow's top admiral in Crimea, along with 33 other officers in a missile attack last week on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the port of Sevastopol.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

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