MOSCOW: In an escalation of tensions in the Black Sea region, Russia claimed on Tuesday that its forces had targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian military boat, marking the second such incident within a short span of time.
The announcement follows heightened Naval activities by both nations and comes after the collapse of a United Nations-mediated agreement aimed at ensuring secure navigation for grain vessels in the Black Sea.
According to a statement from Moscow’s defense ministry, a Ukrainian landing group aboard a US-made Willard Sea Force speedboat was reportedly targeted and destroyed by a Russian army aircraft around 11:00 Moscow time (0800 GMT) near Snake Island.
Situation in Black Sea
The situation in the Black Sea has grown increasingly fraught in recent months. The breakdown of the UN-brokered accord intended to facilitate the safe movement of grain ships in the region has triggered escalated actions from both Ukraine and Russia.
The Russian defense ministry asserted that it had successfully thwarted multiple Ukrainian marine drone attacks on its warships. Notably, Moscow claims that its Black Sea Fleet came under a drone attack last Thursday evening, further intensifying the atmosphere of apprehension and mistrust in the region.
