KYIV: Ukraine claimed on Tuesday that its forces had destroyed a Russian military patrol ship in the Black Sea near the annexed Crimea, marking the latest in a series of naval strikes against Moscow’s fleet in the strategic waterway.
The attack, attributed to Ukrainian forces, also included a drone strike on an oil depot in a Russian border region, underscoring Ukraine’s growing capability to target Russian assets both in the air and at sea amid ongoing struggles on the front lines.
The Black Sea has emerged as a crucial battleground in the two-year conflict, with Ukraine claiming to have destroyed over two dozen Russian ships since Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
A video released by Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence unit showed the moment of the assault on Sergei Kotov, a 94-meter Russian military patrol vessel. The footage captured a naval drone approaching the ship before a powerful explosion engulfed the vessel in flames and debris.
Morale Boost for Ukraine’s Forces
GUR spokesman Andriy Yusov hailed the operation as “very successful,” providing a much-needed morale boost to Ukrainian forces grappling with the onslaught from Russian troops.
The attack occurred near the Kerch Strait, adjacent to the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014. Ukrainian officials celebrated the strike, viewing it as a symbolic blow to Russian military dominance in the region.
In response to the assault, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Kyiv’s allies to demonstrate courage in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion. He emphasized the need for European nations to confront the escalating crisis and bolster their assistance to Ukraine.
While there was no immediate official response from Moscow, Russian military bloggers confirmed the strike, with some criticizing the Russian navy’s inability to defend against Ukrainian attacks.
