Russia releases video of Black Sea Fleet commander reported killed by Ukraine; Ukrainian Special Forces clarify data on his liquidation

Ukrainian Special Forces announced that they are clarifying the information about Sokolov's death.

The video was published on Telegram of Russian Defense Ministry.

In the video, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reads out an opening statement, and in his background are the commanders of the Russian Navy, including Sokolov.

"RBC media reports that Sokolov allegedly joined the meeting via video link, along with the commanders of other fleets – the Baltic, Northern and Pacific, as well as the Caspian Flotilla.

In turn, the TASS propaganda outlet noted that Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that he had no information about the death of the Black Sea Fleet commander, Admiral Sokolov.

The Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces responded to the video and said they were checking the information about the elimination of the Russian commander.

"As you know, 34 officers were killed in a missile strike on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Available sources claim that the Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander is among the dead. Many have not yet been identified due to the fragmentation of bodies. Since the Russians were urgently forced to publish a response with Sokolov allegedly alive, our units are clarifying the information. This is part of the procedure for collecting data on the results of the operation," the statement said.

• On September 25, it was reported that 34 officers, including commander Viktor Sokolov, were eliminated after the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol was hit.