The Sevastopol Shipyard on the Crimean Peninsula was on fire early on Wednesday and two ships were damaged after Ukraine launched 10 missiles and three speedboat attacks on the port, Russia's defense ministry said.

Seven missiles were downed by Russia's air defense systems and all three boats were destroyed by a patrol ship, the ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

"As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged," the ministry said.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea and a major Black Sea port, said on Telegram that at least 24 people were injured.

Smoke rises over a fuel tank following an alleged drone attack in Sevastopol, Crimea, April 29, 2023. (credit: STRINGER/ REUTERS)
Smoke rises over a fuel tank following an alleged drone attack in Sevastopol, Crimea, April 29, 2023. (credit: STRINGER/ REUTERS)
Razvozhayev posted a photo of big flames engulfing in the dark what seemed like port infrastructure. Russian Telegram channels posted videos and more photos of massive flames at a facility bordering water.

Reuters could not independently verify the report. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia's military infrastructure helps Kyiv's counteroffensive.