Sokolov Video

• Sokolov appeared on state television while attending a meeting of Russia's defense chiefs on Tuesday evening.
• In videos and photos released by the Defense Ministry, Sokolov was seen with other fleet commanders apparently participating in an in-person meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other army commanders.
• It was not clear when the video was taken, according to Reuters.
• However, this is a method of information used by States to respond to the propaganda of enemy States during wars, which consists in showing the commander in question at a public event, in an indirect response to that propaganda.

Kiev Declaration

Ukrainian special forces announced on Monday that Sokolov was killed along with 33 other military personnel in a missile attack on Friday on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the port of Sevastopol in Crimea.

Ukrainian special forces said on Telegram: "The Russians were hastily forced to publish a response claiming that Sokolov is alive, so our units are verifying the information."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Ukraine's announcement and referred reporters to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"London and Washington Implication"

In the same context, Moscow on Wednesday accused London and Washington of helping Kiev bomb the headquarters of the Russian fleet.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "We have no doubt that the attack was planned in advance using Western intelligence means, NATO satellite equipment and reconnaissance aircraft."

It added that the strike was carried out "in close coordination with the US and British intelligence services."